how do you winterize an unoccupied house

A way to mitigate issues caused by cold weather is to “winterize” your unoccupied home:

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Full Answer

What is the best way to winterize a house?

Small budget/effort ways to winterize a mobile home:

• Relax tie downs. As the ground freezes in winter, it does contract somewhat. ...
• Chimneys and Fireplaces. If you are lucky enough to have a chimney or fireplace in your home, you can purchase and install a rubber-sealed damper or a glass door/cover that ...
• Ceiling Fans. ...
• Clean the home gutters. ...
• Clear water from hose and sprinkler. ...

How much does it cost to winterize a home?

• Sprinkler heads: $2 to $20 per head
• Valves: $5 to $25 per valve
• PVC pipe: $0.50 to $2.00 per foot
• Connecting pieces: $0.50 to $5.00 per item

How to properly winterize your home?

How to Cozy Up: Winter Essentials for Your Home

• Heavy knit blankets. Or chunky knit blankets. ...
• Candles. Specifically, big candles. ...
• Mini evergreen tree. As in a mini spruce tree (that can be also decorated as a mini Christmas tree). ...
• String lights. ...
• Comfy home wear. ...

What to do to winterize your home?

Be Roof-Ready

• Inspect the roof. ...
• Clear leaves, pine needles, dirt and other accumulated debris from the roof.
• Cut back overhanging branches to prevent damage to shingles and gutters.
• Install snow guards.
• Check the attic and ceilings for staining from water leakage. ...
• If you live in an area that's prone to snow, invest in a snow roof rake.

What temperature should you keep an empty house in the winter?

If your home is vacant, you need to find the right middle ground on the thermostat. If it's too cold, you increase the freeze risk. If you keep it too warm, you risk wasting money and energy. As a general rule of thumb, leave the heat on and set your thermostat between 55 and 60 degrees.

Should you turn off water in a vacant house?

Pipes, water heaters and other appliances can leak, or in freezing weather, pipes can freeze and burst, which can cause major damage in a home left unattended. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, the best protection is to have the water shut off and the water lines drained.

Can you leave a house unheated in the winter?

While you will want to save money on utilities, you can not leave a house unheated in the winter. Keep your utilities on, and follow these tips before going out of town: Set your thermostat no lower than 55°F before you leave to avoid having your pipe freeze.

How do you winterize plumbing in a vacant house?

There are many precautions you can take so your water pipes don't freeze in bitter-cold temperatures....How to Winterize a Vacant HouseDisconnect Main Water Supply. ... Drain Every Fixture & Appliance. ... Remove All Aerators. ... Blow Air into Your Water Lines. ... Flush Your Toilets. ... Pour Antifreeze into Drains. ... Use Warning Labels.

How long can you leave your house vacant?

30 daysTypically, home owners can leave their home unoccupied for up to 30 days (say, for an extended trip) with no need for added insurance. If you're going to be away for longer, inform your insurance company.

How long can housing leave you without water?

A landlord cannot leave a tenant without running water for more than two days. Running water is essential for the health and wellbeing of a tenant, and a landlord must not restrict the supply of water for any reason other than urgent repairs to the plumbing or water supply fixtures and fittings.

What temperature should an empty house be left at?

What's the Best Temperature for an Empty House? Luckily, you don't have to heat your home much to protect it from the elements. You can keep a vacant house at 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit to keep it safe.

Should air conditioner be left on in vacant house?

Turning Off Your A/C Is Not a Good Idea We suggest turning on your unit when you leave home for vacation. It's important to note that air conditioners are designed not just to provide cooling, but also to control indoor humidity. The optimal humidity level in your home should be 50 percent.

What to do if you have no heat in the winter?

How to Stay Warm at Home Without a HeaterClose all of your windows properly. ... Use cheap clear shower curtains over the windows that receive sun light. ... Put up curtains. ... Seal your doors. ... Let as much sun hit your house as possible. ... Close off any unused rooms. ... Put down a rug or carpet.More items...

Will pipes freeze in a house with no heat?

However, according to research conducted by the Building Research Council at the University of Illinois, the temperature threshold for pipes to freeze without heat is 20 degrees F.

Will empty pipes freeze?

Physicsist's answer: no. If the pipe is completely empty, there will be no water to freeze. The water vapour in air will not be able to condense on it either, because your house's walls (and pipes) will be slightly warmer than the ambient temperature on a typical day.

Should you drain the water from the pipes for winter?

Avoid broken water pipes this winter by draining your pipes before a big freeze. Be sure to drain your pipes before going on a winter vacation or if there is a particularly cold night in the forecast. It will save a lot of time and hassle to drain your pipes now to avoid busted pipes later!

Should I turn off water when I go away?

Don't leave home without turning off the water Remember to shut off the main water supply to your home any time you're planning to be away for more than 24 hours. Yes, that includes weekend breaks. It's the best way to avoid serious water damage in the event of a plumbing failure.

Do I need to turn off water to outside in winter?

The best way to prevent damage to water lines during winter is by turning off outside faucets. Regardless of whether your water lines are freeze proof or not, removing hoses and splitters from the spigot during cold weather can save you from a lot of trouble.

How do I isolate my house water?

Turning the water off at the main stopcock will isolate the water to the whole property. If you live in a flat the stopcock could be in either a communal area or within your flat itself. When you locate the stopcock, simply turn it clockwise all the way to shut off the water.

Should you heat a vacant house?

You should heat your empty house. Winter temperatures can lead to problems like frozen pipes, flooding, and other water damage. You don't have to heat it to a comfortable temperature, though. Proper insulation and the right thermostat setting will help you keep bills down when you're not around.

How to prevent water damage?

Protect Your Pipes to Avoid Water Damage by Turning Off Your Water Supply. If a pipe bursts or leaks while you are away, it could cause significant damage. Consider completely turning off the water supply if you will be away for an extended period of time. If your home is heated by an older steam heating system, ...

How to keep your home warm in cold weather?

Have your heating system inspected and serviced by a licensed professional before the onset of cold weather. Have your fuel tanks filled before you leave and make sure you have set up periodic fuel deliveries, if needed. Have someone check on heat and fuel levels regularly while you are gone.

How to clear water from toilet when turned off?

If you have turned off the water supply, drain your pipes of all water by opening the faucets, and flush your toilet to clear the water from the tank and bowl. Consider pouring antifreeze in toilet tanks and bowls to prevent any remaining water from freezing.* Always use non-toxic antifreeze rated for plumbing systems.

Why shut off water to washing machine?

Shut off the water to washing machines and dishwashers where possible, to avoid any leaks or broken hoses while you are away.

Why do you keep the furnace running when you drain water pipes?

If you decide against draining your water pipes, keep the furnace running to help ensure the home stays warm and the pipes do not freeze.

What to do when you're away from snowbirds?

Snowbirds: Winterize Your Home For When You're Away. If you are a snowbird heading south for the winter, there are several key things you can do to help protect your vacant home. Taking these steps can help protect your home from theft, water damage, heating or electrical system malfunctions and other possible threats while you are away ...

How to prevent snow from coming in after a storm?

Arrange for someone to remove snow after storms. Put motion-sensitive exterior lights and interior lights on timers and set them to come on at varying times to discourage prowlers. 2. Take Steps to Protect Your Home from Thieves. Confirm that your alarm systems are in working order and have been activated.

What to do before leaving for the holidays?

Before you leave for the holidays, doing simple things like unplugging appliances, turning off the water supply and draining waterlines can prevent disaster when you return. Whether you’re flying the coop for the whole winter or taking a long holiday vacation, it’s important to winterize your vacant home before you leave.

How to keep your furnace from freezing?

You don’t want to turn your furnace off completely as this could cause your pipes to freeze and break. Instead, turn your thermostat down to about 60 degrees to keep your home systems and components near room temperature, where they are meant to be.

What to do if you leave the power on?

Unplug all appliances. If you leave the electric power on, unplug electric appliances , including microwave ovens and TVs. This way you’ll avoid the risk of fire if there should be a faulty switch or other issue.

What to do if you don't shut off water?

If you’re not going to shut off the water supply, you should leave some water running through the pipes. Turn on the fixtures closest to where water enters the house and at the farthest point indoors, like an upstairs bathroom, so there’s a steady trickle. The water needs to be constantly flowing to avoid a problem.

How to stop water from leaking in winter?

Turn off the water supply. The most important thing you need to do, especially if you’re leaving for the entire winter, is shut off your water supply. Leaving the water on when the lines aren’t going to be used can lead to a leak or burst pipe, which can cause a lot of damage. Shut your water off at the main valve, usually located outside.

Do you empty trash cans before leaving?

Don’t forget to empty all your trash cans before you leave. You don’t want to end up with a really foul odor when you return. You’ll also want to rid your refrigerator of any food that could go bad while you’re gone. Take this out with the trash too.

Can you wrap insulation around water pipes?

Whether or not you turn off your water, it’s a good idea to wrap insulation around your pipes, such as the ones leading to and from your water heater, any pipes exposed outdoors or in a crawl space, etc. This will give you added protection from bursting pipes during a deep freeze.