{"id":6007,"date":"2015-09-18T11:00:39","date_gmt":"2015-09-18T15:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/?p=6007"},"modified":"2015-09-07T12:42:45","modified_gmt":"2015-09-07T16:42:45","slug":"snowbird-checklist-for-winterizing-a-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/snowbird-checklist-for-winterizing-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Snowbird Checklist for Winterizing a House"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before you close the door to your house and head south for the winter, be sure to take the time to properly winterize your home. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0A house left vacant for more than 30 days is vulnerable to all kinds of mishaps and disasters, including damage from water, mold, frozen pipes and theft.<\/strong> \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Here’s a checklist of important home winterizing steps, broken down by location around the house, and recommendations for devices to help protect your home while you’re away.\"winterizing<\/a><\/p>\n

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1) \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Kitchen<\/em><\/h2>\n

Empty the dishwasher and leave the door open to prevent mold. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Clean out the refrigerator and freezer of any perishables. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0If you want to save on energy, unplug it. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Prop both doors open to prevent the growth of mold and a buildup of foul odors. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Be sure to take out all trash.<\/p>\n

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2) \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Basement<\/em><\/h2>\n

Either turn off and drain the water heater, or if that is not practical, protect against flooding with an automatic water main shutoff system<\/span><\/a>. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>An automatic water main shutoff system (aka “whole house water main shutoff valve”)\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0turns off the water main supply<\/a><\/strong> when a leak is detected, regardless of the source. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0If you have a water softener system, backwash it<\/a><\/strong> and disconnect it. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Have a professional inspect your furnace to ensure that it is working properly;\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0 clean or replace the filters. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0If you have a sump pump<\/a><\/strong>, check to be\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0sure it is working properly and not blocked. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Consider adding a sump pump alarm<\/a>,\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>a handy device that sends alarm notifications to your cell phone if there’s a power outage or mechanical failure and your sump pump stops working.<\/p>\n

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\"Watts<\/a>3) \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Laundry Room<\/em><\/h2>\n

Prevent washing machine flooding<\/a><\/strong> by installing an automatic water shut off valve<\/a><\/strong>. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Better still is an \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cintelligent\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d auto shutoff valve<\/a><\/strong>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0that has an electronic control that allows water to flow\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0only<\/em>\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0when it senses that the washing machine is turned on. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0It also has a floor sensor that turns off the water supply\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0and\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0<\/em>the power to the washing machine if there\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s leakage caused by a faulty discharge hose.<\/p>\n

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\"SkylinkNet<\/a>4) \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Living Areas<\/em><\/h2>\n

Prevent frozen pipes by setting the thermostat to around 55\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00b0F (12.7\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00b0C). \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Install a freeze alarm<\/strong><\/a> or Internet thermostat<\/strong><\/a> that will alert you of changing conditions, such as a power outage and\/or drop in temperature, so you can call someone to intervene if your heating system fails. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Make your home look lived-in by installing automatic timers<\/a><\/strong> to turn interior lights on and off at random times. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0If you don’t already have a home security system, consider installing an inexpensive\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0do-it-yourself\u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0callout wireless security system<\/a><\/strong> that will send you alerts by phone<\/a><\/strong> or Internet<\/a><\/strong> if there is a break-in. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Unplug TVs, computers and other electrical appliances to protect against sudden power surges and save energy<\/a><\/strong>. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Close the fireplace flue to keep heat in and pests out.<\/p>\n

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\"VertaLok<\/a>5) \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Outside<\/em><\/h2>\n

Clean gutters<\/a><\/strong> to prevent ice dams and allow melting snow to drain away from the house, instead of into the basement. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Trim tree branches located near the home and power lines. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Turn off sprinkler system and drain. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Turn off outside water faucets using basement shut-off valve and leave faucets open. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Disconnect, drain and store garden hoses in garage or shed. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Install motion sensitive spotlights in strategic locations around the exterior of the house to scare off trespassers. \u00c3\u201a\u00c2\u00a0Wireless, solar-powered spotlights<\/a><\/strong> are easy to install and need no electricity.<\/p>\n

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Other Going Away Tips<\/em><\/h2>\n

Taking these precautions to winterize your house will help alleviate some of the worries that come with leaving an empty home<\/a><\/strong>. In addition to these steps for protecting your property, here are a few other things to do before you leave:<\/p>\n