Local hardware stores see surge in winter home prep before freeze hits

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY-TV) — As the Cape Fear braces for the coldest night of the fall season, there are things homeowners can do in the next few hours to ensure their homes are ready for these freezing temperatures.

While Black Friday is still a few weeks away, there’s one item that is flying off the shelves at Steve’s Ace Hardware, a foam exterior faucet protector.

“We’ve sold probably 30 or 40 today,” said Lisa Foxbower, store manager.

Foxbower said the foam protector is one of many steps a homeowner should be taking to protect their home ahead of Monday night’s freezing temperatures.

“If your outside faucet bib breaks you have internal damage underneath the house, it could also flood underneath your house once it comes back,” Foxbower said.

Foxbower said a home’s pipes should be protected with foam insulation or heat tape which also work as a thermometer, without them homeowners’ risk frozen or broken pipes.

“You also take chances of it messing up your pumps messing up all sort of things in your home, your faucets, your tubs, your showers, all that freezing is just not good,” Foxbower said.

Outside the home, plants can often be left vulnerable for the first frost of the season.

“For your plants frost protection blankets, bed sheets any kind of thing you can throw over them to keep them from freezing those things work great,” Foxbower said.

Foxbower also advises homeowners to keep their pets wellbeing in mind

“Make sure your pets are taken care of cedar shavings in their houses, for outside pets, make sure they have water if they are outside make sure their water doesn’t freeze.”

While Monday night’s freezing temperatures are a quick hit of cold air, Foxbower said many customers have visited their store to prepare.

“They’re getting prepared, unfortunately it’s probably going to heat back up so they are getting prepared for one or two days but you know how North Carolina weather is,” Foxbower said.