Build.com For Pros: How to Winterize a House

Winter weather can wreak havoc on a home. A home left unattended for the season is at an even greater risk of serious damage. Repairs can cost property owners thousands of dollars once the spring thaw arrives.

Preparing a house for winter doesn't have to be difficult, but you need to be thorough to avoid winter-related damage. Learn how to winterize and protect your property through the cold season.

Interior Maintenance Basics

Essential tasks like checking the plumbing and knowing how to adjust thermostat settings are vital for winterizing a home.

Here are a few more interior maintenance tasks to put on your to-do list:

• Close the damper or flue if the property has one or more fireplaces.
• Turn off the gas if it won't be used for the winter season.  
• Unplug appliances to prevent them from being damaged during a potential power surge.
• Remove plants and flowers. These won't be alive come spring, so they need to be moved to another location or discarded.
• Remove perishable items. If you're not the property owner, there's a good chance this has already been done. However, if you spot perishable items that could create odors during the winter, it's best to remove them from the property. 
• Give the space a quick cleaning. Cleaning before winter can make getting the space inhabitable in spring much easier. 

Another important customer courtesy when shutting down a winterized home is to arm the security system when you leave, if you are able. Let the property owner know that the security system has been armed after you leave.

Pay Special Attention to Plumbing

Knowing how to winterize house plumbing properly is an essential skill for contractors, builders, plumbers, and maintenance professionals. 

Here are a few tips to help you winterize a home correctly:

• Turn the water off via the main shut off valve. Leaving the water on in an unattended home adds to the potential for leaks and water damage.
• Drain toilet fixtures. Toilet fixtures that won't be in use for months should be drained to avoid leaks or stains.
• Open faucet valves throughout the home. Opening faucet valves allows the lines to drain completely so there's no pressure that can lead to leaks.
• Check the sump pump, if there is one, in the basement. Ensure that it functions properly to avoid a wet or flooded basement in the spring.
• Detach garden hoses and cover exterior faucets and fittings. You can also install frost-free faucets that work even in frigid temperatures and won't freeze. These can save time and money for homeowners who live in very cold climates.

Take Care of Temperature Control

 While the heating system does still need to be on to avoid frozen pipes and damaged belongings, an empty home doesn't have to be heated for comfort. 

There are a few things to check to ensure the heating system is in top shape before vacating the house:

• Replace old air filters that are part of the HVAC system. You can also add standalone air filters and air purifiers to help keep a home from getting musty through the winter.
• Update older thermostats. Programmable thermostats conveniently set the temperature once and repeat the pattern year-round if they go unchanged. Smart thermostats allow homeowners to monitor the internal temperature of a home remotely via a smart device.
• Adjust thermostat settings to keep the inside of the house between 50 and 55-degrees Fahrenheit around the clock. Go lower and you risk damage. Higher temperatures are okay, but generally unnecessary, and will add to your heating bill over the course of a long, cold winter.
• Utilize ceiling fans during the winter. Reversing the direction of a ceiling fan helps push warm air, which naturally rises, toward the room.

Tackle Exterior Maintenance

Discussions about how to winterize a house often revolve around the interior of a home. Winterizing in this way is essential, but you must perform certain exterior tasks as well.

Here are a few tips for how to winterize a house on the outside:

• Check the roof for weak spots. Clear debris that could add extra weight and put stress on the roof in a snowstorm.
• Clean the gutters. Ensure that drain spouts are placed properly to take rain water away from the home.
• Safeguard windows. Close shutters, install storm windows, and consider using an additional layer of plywood in areas prone to severe winter weather.
• Check the doors. Fix cracks or damaged areas. Check weatherstripping, re-applying as needed, to keep cool air out.
• Install storm doors. Alternately, switch to weatherproof doors that can be used year-round. 
• Cover French doors with plywood board. Doors with glass inserts are likely to suffer more damage in winter storms. 

Winter is, without a doubt, the season that hits homes the hardest. Snow storms, heavy rain, ice, and power outages can all take their toll. By knowing how to winterize a house the right way, you can help your clients safeguard any home from damage.