Winterizing Your Summer Home

When it’s time to winterize your summer home or leave for an extended period of time, it’s important to winterize your property to prevent deterioration while you’re away and protect your investment. It’s important to take precautions to avoid using unnecessary utilities, keep animals out and insects, and keep your possesions safe from theft. Whethere you’re leaving for a few weeks or a year, the following suggestions will help you to plan and execute a winterization plan down to the last nut & bolt.

FIRST – Make a checklist. Look carefully around the exterior and interior of your home and decide what needs to be done. Write all down to create a “plan of action”. This will come in handy when it’s time to open up your house again. Having a list helps you remember what needs to be done when you return to the house. Break the list up into the following categories.

TURN OFF THE WATER – Make sure the main water supply is turned off completely at the main supply point. If the furnace/heater should fail on a very cold day, water in the pipes could freeze causing the pipe to expan and freeze.

OPEN ALL FAUCETS AND DRAIN ALL WATERLINES – If you live in an area where freezing pipes can be a problem, drain the toilets, the water heater (turn off the gas or electric supply first) and the expansion valve or tank (which ever you may have).

• Eliminate or dilute the water in drain traps by pouring and “RV” type of antifreeze solution into them, as directed by instructions. And always remember to keep antifreeze away from animals and children.
• Close the sink and tub drains
• If a house is to be vacant for long periods of time, you may prevent water in the toilet’s trap from evaporating (this will cut down on sewer gases entering the home) by raising the toilet’s lid and seat and covering the bowl with saran wrap.
• If you have an indoor or outdoor pool drain, drain the water.
• Turn off and drain fountains and other sources of standing water.
• Drain water from dishwashers, refrigerators (with a water dispenser or an ice maker) and washing machines, following the manufacturers directions. Remove the water filter from inside the refrigerator.
• Remove and empty any “whole house” or “in line” type of filter canister.

TURN DOWN THE THERMOSTAT – Set your thermostat to a level adequate to keep the inside temperature above freezing and to keep things dry. If the home is located in a warm, damp climate, you should have a humidistat installed and set to maintain a reasonable dry interior.

UNPLUG ALL APPLIANCES – If you leave the electric power on, unplug electric appliances, including microwave ovens and TV’s, to avoid the risk of fire in the event of an electrical storm, faulty switch or a rodent gnawing through the lines.

DON’T FORGET THE GAS – For long absences, some experts recommend shutting off gas hot water heaters completely. Having it drained during this time will also be a good idea so sediment doesn’t sit and rust the heater.

PREPARE THE KITCHEN – Clean out refrigerator. Be sure not to keep anything that is likely to go bad during the long period you are away.

• Empty the freezer. Don’t leave anything in the even the electricity is off for an extended period of time; you won’t necessarily be aware if this occurs, and the food will have to be thawed and refrozen, which is very dangerous.
• If you must keep frozen food, here is one method of determining if your freezer has warmed during the winter; freeze a container of water solid, then place a coin on the surface of the ice; if the coin has sunk into the ice when you return, then the freezer is warmed, letting the ice melt and then refreeze.
• Wash the refrigerator and freezer thoroughly. Prop open their doors to stop mold and mildew (which like to grow in the dark) and their odors, which may tranfer to the refrigerators plastic parts.
• To further avoid odors, place an open bag of charcoal or baking soda on the inside of the open refrigerator.
• Remove all food from the pantry/cabinets. Dry foods that remain should be locked in tin or aluminum lines cupboards or cabinets, and seeds and grains should be stored in metal containers with tight lids.

REMOVE ITEMS THAT COULD FREEZE – Wash kitchen trash containers and put away soap, sponges, candles and other possible sources of food for vermin.

• Spray a long-lasting insecticide along baseboards and under the sink.
• Place insect traps under the sink and on kitchen counters and use chemical rodent deterrents under the sink and in the garage too.

TAKE ALL THE TRASH OUT OF YOUR HOME BEFORE YOU LEAVE – In areas subject to freezing, remove all bottled liquids, such as mineral water, soda, beer and paint, because their containers may burst when their contents freeze. Empty water from jars, vases and even decorative indoor mini-fountains.

TAKE ALL THE TRASH OUT OF YOUR HOME BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Be sure to dump all trash cans in the bathrooms, bedrooms and garage. It will cut down on insects and foul odors upon return.

WASH EVERYTHING – If bed linens, towels and the like remain, they should be washed or cleaned and then stored in boxes, preferably rodent-proof ones. The plastic storage boxes with lockable lids are the best. Strip beds to allow the mattresses to air out. Open empty drawers and closets; use mothballs in the others.

• Vacuum carpets and floors. This will ensure no crumbs or other food main remain on the floor.

REMOVE ALL FIRE HAZARDS – Disposer of or move potentially flammable items such as oily rags and stacked papers before you leave.

CLOSE FLUES AND DAMPERS

ARRANGE FOR INDOOR PLANTS & FLOWERS TO BE WATERED IF NECESSARY

OUTDOOR AREAS – Protect the yard and garden.

• Arrange to have the lawn moved and shrubbery trimmed
• Cover any plants that are frost intolerant
• Arrange to have your garden watered if necessary
• Be sure to drain all water hoses that may freeze
• Wrap outdoor faucets with pipe wrap to prevent busted pipes or install frostproof hosebibbs

STORE OUTDOOR FURNITURE – Place tables, chairs, hammocks, delicate garden ornamentation and other outdoor accessories in the garage, shed or storage unit. Do not leave anything outdoors that can be blown about by a strong wind.

LOCK AWAY EXPENSIVE VEHICLES – Boats, jet-skis, motorcycles and ATV’s, bicycles, canoes, kayaks and cars should be locked in the garage or storage shed. Block window views to further protect your belongings.

LOCK YOUR HOUSE AT ALL ENTRY POINTS – High quality locks for your doors and windows are a must. Check that all your windows and doors are shut and locked. Close all window shutters. Along with enhancing security, shutters will, along with drapes, blinds and curtains, keep carpets and fabrics from fading.

MAKE IT LOOK LIKE SOMEONE IS HOME – Buy a coupl of light timers and set them up to turn on automatically in the evenings. If it’s a summer vacation home, this may be less viable. Instead, have your neighbors keep an eye on your property. Be sure they have your important contact information in the event of an emergency.

DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN A VACATION HOME THAT MAY ATTRACT THIEVES – At the very least, move them out of the line of sight from windows. Take all small valuables with you.

STOP YOUR MAIL – This can be done online at USPS.gov. Stop any other routine delieveries. Ask a neighbor to be on the lookout for other packages. Lots of standing packages and mail may indiciate to thieves no-one is home. Safety first!

If you ever need any help with the plumbing and air conditioning portion of your winterization plan, call Four Star Plumbing & Air Conditioning at 843.236.7142

 

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References Used: Wiki