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Winterize Your Home: An Unoccupied Home
September 2023
Winterizing your vacation home or any unoccupied home is essential to protect the property from potential damage caused by cold temperatures, freezing conditions, and the absence of regular occupancy. Here are some key reasons why you should winterize your vacation home:
BONUS CONTENT: How to winterize your unoccupied home
Energy Efficiency
Winterizing involves sealing drafts and insulating, which can improve energy efficiency by reducing heat loss. This can also lead to cost savings on utility bills.
Avoid Structural Damage
Cold temperatures, ice, and snow can cause structural damage to your vacation home. Freezing and thawing cycles can lead to cracks in the foundation, walls, and other structures.
Inspect and Seal:
- Check for cracks, gaps, and openings in your home’s foundation, walls, windows, and doors. Seal these gaps using caulking, weather stripping, or insulation to prevent cold air infiltration and water penetration.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts:
- Clear out leaves, debris, and other obstructions from your gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage. This prevents ice dams and water buildup that can damage your roof and walls.
Roof Inspection:
- Inspect your roof for loose or damaged shingles. Repair or replace any damaged areas to prevent leaks and water infiltration during snow and rain.
Insulate Attic and Crawl Spaces:
- Properly insulate your attic and crawl spaces to maintain a consistent indoor temperature and prevent ice dams on the roof.
Foundation Protection:
- Ensure that your home’s foundation is well-drained. Clean out any debris near the foundation and make sure the soil slopes away from the house to prevent water pooling.
Winterize Pipes:
- Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing and bursting. Consider using pipe insulation or heating cables for added protection.
Turn Off Outdoor Faucets:
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets, disconnect hoses, and install faucet covers to protect against freezing.
HVAC Maintenance:
- Schedule a professional HVAC inspection to ensure your heating system is in good working condition. Change air filters regularly and clean vents to maintain efficiency.
Chimney Maintenance:
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned before using your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Make sure the chimney cap is secure to prevent water infiltration.
Trim Tree Branches:
- Trim any overhanging tree branches that could potentially fall on your home due to heavy snow or ice accumulation.
Snow Removal Plan:
- Have a snow removal plan in place to prevent excessive snow buildup on your roof, decks, and walkways. Heavy snow accumulation can strain structures and lead to collapses.
Maintain a Consistent Temperature:
- Keep your home at a consistent temperature even if you’re not occupying it. This prevents extreme temperature fluctuations that can stress building materials.
Install Storm Windows and Doors:
- If your home has them, install storm windows and doors to provide an extra layer of insulation and protection against harsh weather.
Address Drainage Issues:
- Ensure proper drainage around your property. Clean out and maintain drainage systems to prevent water from pooling near the foundation.
Professional Inspection:
- Consider hiring a professional home inspector to assess your property’s vulnerability to winter damage and provide recommendations.
Protect Appliances and Systems
Winterizing helps prevent damage to appliances, water heaters, and HVAC systems by draining water and shutting off power. This safeguards these systems from freezing and potential malfunction.
Prevent Mold and Mildew
Moisture can accumulate in an unoccupied home, leading to mold and mildew growth. Proper winterization helps maintain the right humidity levels and prevents these issues.
Prevent Frozen Pipes/Plumbing
One of the primary reasons to winterize is to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting due to cold temperatures. Frozen pipes can cause significant water damage to your property and require expensive repairs.
- Turn off the main water supply to the home. This will prevent water from entering the pipes and freezing, which can cause them to burst.
- Drain all water from pipes, toilets, water heaters, and any other appliances that use water.
- Consider adding antifreeze to drains and toilets to prevent any residual water from freezing.
Preserve Interior
Cold temperatures can damage interior materials like wood flooring, paint, and furniture. Winterizing helps maintain a controlled environment that prevents extreme temperature fluctuations.
Save Money and Time
Investing in winterization measures upfront can save you significant amounts of money on potential repairs that might arise from neglecting the property during winter.
Long-Term Property Value
Regularly winterizing your vacation home helps maintain its overall condition, which can positively impact its resale value.
Compliance with Insurance Requirements
Some insurance policies require you to take certain measures, such as winterizing, to maintain coverage during vacant periods. Failure to do so might result in denied claims.
Peace of Mind
Knowing that your vacation home is properly winterized gives you peace of mind, knowing that it’s protected and ready for your return when the weather improves.