This has been quite a winter. Yesterday, according to my calculations, and snow shovel, was the 20th snow event since December. Somehow seeing news reports of green beer and snow removal on the same day is a signal of a long winter. We have all spent too much time shoveling, commuting, buying milk, eggs, and bread. But what about the old adage of March coming in like a lion and out like a lamb?
There is no doubt that it came in like a lion, but as I look out my window I can see the crocus blooming. Is there hope that is will go out like a lamb?
Looking back over this winter, are there lessons I learned? I now believe that if I am leaving my home for more than 24 hours, I am turning off the water. We have handled more water losses that stemmed from broken pipes in home where people were away. Thousands and thousands of gallons flowed through homes causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. Turn off the water. Make sure that the person who has the key to check on your house knows where the water shut off is.
We are preparing an emergency checklist for this space. It will include a checklist to go through with all of your family members, the neighbor that checks on your house, and the house that you check on. Being prepared doesn’t always stop the problem, but it can certainly lessen the impact of a loss.
Did I say to turn off your water if you are leaving the house for more than 24 hours?
Stay tuned for the emergency checklist and think spring.