By Nicole Chavira, January 13, 2024
Tips to prepare your home for a winter storm
- Keep your house heated to a minimum of 65 degrees.
- Know the location for the main water shutoff in your home.
- Insulate your exterior water lines to prevent freezing.
- Let your faucet drip to prevent a pipe burst.
- Stock emergency food, water and supplies.
- Bring your fur babies inside!
- Freshen up your weather-strip and caulking along doors and windows.
- Cover windows with plastic from the inside if you do not have double pane windows installed.
- Open your cabinets.
- Trim tree branches that could fall on your home or other structures and vehicles during a storm.
- If you are using a fireplace, wood stove, or a kerosene heater, be sure to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are working properly.
- Keep your fireplace flue closed when you’re not using it.
- Locate your fire extinguisher and keep it nearby.
- Ask a neighbor to check the house regularly any time you’re away.
- Clear gutters of debris to allow runoff from melting snow and ice.
- Watch for ice dams near your gutter downspouts to prevent water build up that can cause water intrusion.
- Run your swimming pool pump at night.
- Keep your garage doors closed.
- Stay informed by signing up for your local emergency alerts.
- Cover your container plants with compost, mulch or old blankets and towels.
- Place your hanging plants on the ground and cover them.
- For renters, try to touch base with your landlord if you’re unclear on what are tenant responsibilities and what are landlord responsibilities.
- Keep your sidewalks and entrances to your home clear of snow and ice.
Nicole Chavira
Broker | OR
She/Her
- Nicole is a proud Portland native. She went to south east Portland public schools and moved over 40 times in and around surrounding cities, gaining true knowledge over the years of growth and what our communities have to offer. While graduating with a business degree from Portland Community College as a single mom of two young children she stumbled upon the world of Real Estate as a Transaction Coordinator for some of the highest producing Realtors in the state of Oregon. With that wealth of knowledge and encouragement Nicole decided she was going to be the BIPOC Realtor who builds relationships well past the transaction.
- Nicole’s guidance and stellar communication shows her dedication to assisting people through what is typically their largest investment. She provides support, education, relentless hard work with the goal of giving the most stress free experience for her clients. She’s a problem solver and a solid negotiator with now 12 years of Real Estate experience.
- Nicole is raising her two children to be loving, accepting and self sufficient citizens of society while putting family first. When Nicole is not working she enjoys quality time with loved ones, experiencing new social events, advocating for mental health and equality/equity, supporting local non-profit organizations and small business, trips to the Oregon coast and her ultimate release of music and dance.