Winterize your vacant home
It’s only mid-November, but we are already seeing the coldest weather of 2013. Here in Tennessee, typically the really cold temps don’t arrive until later. This early cold snap brings up an important consideration: how do I winterize a home that’s vacant? Perhaps you have an investment home that’s not currently rented, or you have moved to your new place and are waiting to sell your former home. (By the way, call me: I’ll help you find a buyer).
Here are some essential tips on winterizing your vacant home. You should follow these tips, because if the pipes freeze and burst, you could have major flooding problems and a hefty repair bill. And do be aware that both plastic AND copper pipes burst: that’s just physics.
- Spend the money for a professional plumber. That plumber will turn off the water, drain the water heater, the washing machine, dishwasher, toilets, etc. Sometimes people believe that it’s sufficient to pour a little antifreeze in the toilet bowl, but that’s not enough. Don’t forget to unhook and drain all outdoor faucets and hoses as well.
- Get up there and remove all the leaves and other blockages from the gutters. If not, you have get ice blocks forming in the gutters — and, while rare, that can crack the gutters.
- You have already closed off any fireplace damper, venting to the outside from the dryer, e
tc. Take a walk around the house and look for small, dime-sized holes near door jambs, french doors, windows, etc — and fill those holes. If you don’t, you may find that you have provided a chilly hotel entrance to mice, chipmunks, birds (from the chimney), and other unwanted guests (even raccoones!). Similarly, if you have stored firewood near the house, that’s a magnet for chipmunks (which I have learned from experience). - If you have wisely chosen to keep the power on, invest in heat tape for the pipes. And another good idea is to have a few lamps set up in various rooms in the house on timers. Anyone who might be eyeing your place may believe that someone really does still live there.
- Pay a neighborhood teenager to shovel snow from the driveway and walkway — and to get the snow removal done quickly. Driveways and walkways covered with snow clearly announce that this home is vacant. And if your home gets a showing from a winter buyer, you obviously want to make sure the pathway, the stairs, and the deck are safe.
- It may be difficult to keep the landscaping looking presentable in cold weather, but do pick up any fallen branches.
Hopefully, these tips will not only help save you money, they may help you get your house sold even in the chilly days ahead. Warm wishes to you!