Winterizing a home is the process of preparing the property to be vacant during the winter. You'll generally want to take these preventative steps this fall, before the winter season. Being proactive can help protect against the risks of damage caused by broken water pipes and other household and property problems. The purpose of preparing a house for winter is to avoid higher energy costs and any damage caused by cold and snow.
Here's how to properly prepare your home for winter so it can withstand the season. Knowing how to winter prepare an empty house, cabin, or vacation home is essential if you're ever planning to go out for an extended period of time. Steps 1 through 5 have focused on preparing drinking water lines for winter in your empty house. This sixth step will focus on preparing your drainage system for winter.
Since you can't inject air into your drain system, you must prepare them for winter by adding antifreeze. And you're going to need a lot. An average home might need 15 to 20 gallons. You can order non-toxic antifreezes online by the box to save money.
Knowing how to prepare an empty house for winter is not the easiest task for a DIY enthusiast. Whether you're closing your beach house after Labor Day or preparing your primary residence for the cold season, preparing for winter is an important process that homeowners should not neglect with respect to their property. People who have the time and financial capacity to take long vacations should also prepare their homes for winter. Your best chances of getting a deal will be before or after the snow season, but keep in mind that inventory is likely to be limited if you wait until after winter.
Ask them to “keep an eye on your home and report any unusual activity or damage it suffers” (give them your contact phone number and contact email address for the winter). If you're going to be out and about during the winter months, you should avoid plumbing problems. Homes sometimes suffer damage due to cold and stormy winters, whether or not they are prepared for winter, but proper preparation for winter will stop “preventable damage” to homes, such as broken pipes, gas leaks, and more. If you live in a place where the temperature drops to freezing, you'll need to prepare your home for winter.
If you decide to prepare your home for winter on your own, take plenty of time before the cold weather hits. If you live in the northeastern part of the country or in the upper Midwest, you know that your home may be subject to the brutal Northeast or severe winter weather. If you have a summer vacation home that you don't occupy in winter, be sure to take a fall weekend to visit the house and prepare it for winter. Preparing for winter protects against damage caused by broken water pipes and against heat loss due to openings in the building envelope.
This will keep water flowing, preventing interior leaks and most ice dams, which generously occurred in the northeast just two winters ago. If you discover any problem that could pose a hazard to you or your property, you should call a professional right away so you don't stay outside in the cold in your house this winter. The good news is that you can prepare your attic for winter by adding one of the following types of insulation to your attic and enjoy the resulting savings year after year. Your home is your biggest investment, so it's smart to make sure it's protected when you leave during the winter.
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