Preparing for winter is the process of preparing a home for the harsh winter conditions. It is usually done in the fall before snow and excessive cold arrive. Preparing for winter protects against damage caused by broken water pipes and against heat loss due to openings in the building envelope. Preparing for winter is when a house is prepared to become vacant.
This process prepares the plumbing system and components so that they are not affected by extreme temperatures (so that the pipes do not freeze). The process must be done when a house is expected to be empty during the heating season, that is, during the winter. When finished, the house can now safely remain empty without utilities, specifically, without heating. Preparing your home for winter means preparing it both inside and out for the cold.
The following tasks don't necessarily have to be completed in order, but they should all be finished before the cold weather hits. What is “preparing for winter” anyway? A house is properly prepared to be vacant during the winter season, when it can take out what Mother Nature offers and survive without suffering preventable damage. Homes are sometimes damaged due to cold and stormy winters, whether or not they are prepared for winter, but proper preparation for winter will stop “preventable damage” to homes, such as broken pipes, gas leaks, and more. Your best chances of getting a deal will be before or after the snow season, but keep in mind that inventory is likely to be limited if you wait until after winter.
Assuming you don't live in a neighborhood where known thieves reside, notify your trusted neighbors that you won't be home for extended periods in winter. If you decide to prepare your home for winter on your own, take plenty of time before the cold weather hits. Originally, a winter readiness notice meant that the pipes in an empty, unheated house were prepared to withstand a severe winter frost without breaking pipes or being damaged by water. If you discover any problem that could pose a hazard to you or your property, you should call a professional right away so you don't stay outside in the cold in your house this winter.
When you see the bank's winter conditioning notice in the front window of a property you want to make an offer on, make sure your real estate agent tells you how de-wintering works with that particular financial institution, so you know what to expect when you proceed with the inspection of the housing. Ask them to “keep an eye on your home and report any unusual activity or damage it suffers” (give them your contact phone number and contact email address for the winter). Therefore, plumbing fixtures cannot be tested in a winter-ready home, and you may not be able to operate electrical and gas appliances either. The purpose of preparing a house for winter is to avoid higher energy costs and any damage caused by cold and snow.
This will keep water flowing, preventing interior leaks and most ice dams, which generously occurred in the Northeast just two winters ago. If you're not sure if you're following any of these winter preparation tips or they seem overwhelming to you, seek professional help. Preparing a home for winter can be a DIY project, but as with many home improvement projects, a professional, such as a general contractor, can do it faster and easier. While the onset of the cold season will vary by region, it's a good general rule to begin the process of preparing your home for winter in early fall.
If you live in the northeastern part of the country or in the upper Midwest, you know that your home may be subject to the brutal Northeastern or severe winter weather. Basically, preparing a house for winter means that the plumbing system is prepared to withstand the cold winter temperatures and freeze the pipes by draining all the water from the system, including the water heater. .
