When should I start winterizing my house?
The best time to start winterizing is before winter weather arrives. A broken furnace or freezing pipes are doubly daunting when you're dealing with cold or snow. While winterizing your home can help prevent some of these cold weather hazards, the right home insurance policy can protect your home year-round.
At what temperature should you winterize your house?
Set your thermostat to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure your house or apartment is well-insulated. Consider installing an energy efficient or programmable thermostat to help you keep warm air in the rooms you use the most without racking up high energy bills.
At what temperature should you wrap your pipes?
We all know that freezing begins at 32° F or 0° C, but at what point do pipes freeze within our own homes? Temperatures only need to drop to about 20° F for a few hours to put exposed pipes at risk. So, your best bet is to insulate your exposed pipes to keep that temperature well above the freezing point.
What happens if you don't winterize your home?
Since the pipes are not flexible enough for all the expansion that takes place, the frozen water will end up causing the pipes to crack, leaving you with big springtime bills to get the plumbing replaced or repairing water damage in your home.
Is 65 degrees too cold for house?
Do not let it get too cold inside and dress warmly. Even if you keep your temperature between 60°F and 65°F, your home or apartment may not be warm enough to keep you safe.
What temperature should I keep my house in the winter so the pipes don't freeze?
Regardless of how long you will be traveling and away from home, keep your thermostat set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or above. This will help to keep the pipes on the inside of the home from freezing and the ones under the home at a slightly higher temperature as well.
Should I drip hot or cold water?
coldWhen the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
How long can a house go without heat before pipes freeze?
As a general rule of thumb, in order for your home's water pipes to freeze, the outside temperature needs to be below 20 degrees, for a total of at least six consecutive hours.
Will pipes freeze at 32 degrees?
Pipes can freeze at 32 degrees or below, but it will take a sustained period of time for this to happen. In other words, a pipe needs to be at freezing temperatures for at least half a day before homeowners have to worry about any freezing occurring.
How much does it cost to winterize a home?
It costs $200 to $250 on average to winterize a home, but appliance repairs or replacements could increase your budget significantly. For savvy DIY homeowners, your entire winterization budget could be less than $65. Learn how to protect your home from inclement weather on your budget in this cost guide.
How do I prepare my house for winter?
Use this checklist to prepare your home for winterCheck your home's heating and air conditioning system.Paint, caulk and seal exterior wood.Seal your masonry and hard surfaces.Check your drainage.Clean your gutters.Clean your chimney and order firewood.Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.More items...•
What do snowbirds do with their houses?
Some snowbirds rent out their vacation homes when they return north. Between the months of April and October, snowbirds live in their summer residence and some put their winter home on the market for rent. This is prime time for warm weather renters to jump on some great properties.
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.
Is 55 too cold for a house?
While some area doctors said they had no data on when a cold house becomes unsafe, they pretty much agreed that anything below 50 degrees means it's time to find safer shelter.
How do you winterize a home in Montana?
How to Prepare Your Home For Winter WeatherWinterize HVAC Systems.Check & Run the Furnace.Check Fireplace & Chimney For Cracks.Replace Window Screens.Winterize Pipes.Reverse Fans.Prep Your Lawn for the Winter.Check Your Snowblower.More items...
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 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 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 ...
What to do when property is vacant?
Notify the police department that the property will be vacant, and provide emergency notification numbers.
What to check for in a house?
Check weather-stripping, insulation and exterior doors and windows to ensure no major deficiencies are present . Water and insects can enter through these openings.
Why do you clean your home?
Clean your home thoroughly to help discourage new “residents” from moving in.
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.
Who should winterize their home?
Those who spend the winter in Florida or Arizona, or those who plan to leave their primary home vacant for long periods during winter, should winterize as more problems and/or damage can occur during winter than spring, summer, and fall combined.
Why is winterizing your home important?
Winterizing your home is vital for those planning long winter vacations, and regular travelers. Why? Your home will be vacant for long periods, and, since you cannot control the forces of nature, it’s wise to make your home ready for any harsh weather.
How to keep pipes from freezing in winter?
Winterizing your home checklist. Adjust your thermostat. Set your thermostat (don’t turn it off) at the lowest temperature that will keep your pipes from freeze damage (at least 50 to 55 degrees should do it). You want it warm enough to keep your pipes or anything else from freezing. Shut off the water at the main valve.
What is winterizing a house?
What is “winterizing” anyway? A home is properly prepared for vacancy during the winter season when it can take what Mother Nature dishes out and survive without suffering preventable damage. Houses sometimes suffer damage from stormy, cold winters whether or not they are winterized, but proper winterizing will stop “preventable” home damage such as broken pipes, gas leaks and more.
How to reduce electric bill while away?
To ensure you have low electric bills while you’re away unplug all electronics and appliances. Don’t forget to unplug those power strips you use to protect your electronics, as they use a little electricity even when your devices are “off.” This action also eliminates any random sparks that may come from overheating wires, since there is no juice flowing through them, reducing the risk of fires.
How to prevent water from freezing in pipes?
If you’re going to be away from your home for the winter months, you want to avoid having any plumbing issues. Using an air compressor to blow out any remaining water after you drain your pipes will better ensure there is no water in your pipes to freeze. Call your plumber to help you with this project if you are in any way unsure.
How to keep gas from entering your home?
Shut down your gas line, whether you use propane or natural gas. Call your propane or natural gas service provider and have a technician shut off your gas line to keep gas from entering your home while you’re away from it.
Protect Your Pipes
Depending on the region of the United States you're in, you'll need to protect your pipes from bursting this winter.
Time to Weatherproof
Weather stripping or installing storm doors and windows will prevent cold air from entering your home or heat from escaping it, which will reduce your power bills. Door sweeps are also an effective and easy way to keep the cold out.
Check Your Fireplace
Animal nests or creosote buildup in your fireplace can be hazardous. Have an annual inspection before building your first fire of the season. Also, soot and other debris build up in the chimney. Call a chimney sweep to thoroughly clean the chimney before your first winter use.
Clean the Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is an important part of winter prep. A good rule of thumb is to have the gutters cleaned as soon as the last leaves have fallen in the autumn. To prevent clogging, inspect and clean the gutters of leaves and other debris. Clean gutters will also allow melting snow to drain properly.
Block the Cold
Caulk around windows and use foam outlet protectors to prevent cold air from entering your home. However, the majority of heat loss typically occurs via openings in the attic. Check to make sure that you have enough insulation.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
In the winter, the Department of Energy suggests keeping the thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. Lower the thermostat a few degrees while you're away or sleeping. Switching your thermostat out for a programmable version is a good idea.
Protect Your Plants
You'll need to bring plants and flowering trees inside before the first cold snap. Typically, you should bring your plants in before temperatures dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
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.
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.
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 winterize sprinklers?
The basic gist of winterizing a sprinkler system is that you have to tilt the sprinkler heads a certain direction and blow out any extra water that could be pooling inside the system. Most people will use pressurized air. From there, the sprinklers are left tilted and open so that they can stay dry through the winter.
How Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Sprinkler Winterization?
If you have homeowner’s insurance, then it’s important to remember that you are going to be liable for the costs of maintaining your home. This includes maintaining your home’s irrigation system. So, don’t file a claim in hopes of getting money for winterization.
What temperature does a sprinkler system freeze?
Most of the time, the definition of a hard freeze starts around 0 degrees Fahrenheit and below.
Can you freeze a sprinkler system in winter?
Winter is brutal in many parts of the country. Your sprinkler system will have water that stays in the tubing, especially when you have an underground system. During the winter, that water can expand and potentially break your sprinkler tubing. Winterizing them prevents water from freezing in your system, which in turn, means good things for your system and its lifespan.
Is winterizing a smart move?
If you want to keep your lawn healthy, winterizing everything is a smart move. You just need to know how to make the most of your winterization time.
Can you winterize Florida?
However, that doesn’t mean that every part of the country requires winterization. If you live in a part of the country where winter is not cold, then you might be able to skip winterization. This would include areas like the Florida Keys, El Paso, Sedona, and Death Valley.
Does Everyone Have To Winterize Their Sprinkler Systems?
If you live in an area that gets snow every year, then winterizing your sprinkler systems is a major must. Otherwise, you may end up replacing your sprinklers annually instead.
