As a soon-to-be summer vacation home owner, it's important to start thinking about how you'll keep the place protected when winter time comes around and you won't be there to manage things in person. Here are a few things you can do to winterize your plumbing system for optimal protection during the winter:
Drain the Plumbing
If any water in your vacation home's pipes freezes in the winter, the pipes could crack or burst and cause serious damage to the overall plumbing system as well as the inside of the house itself. To prevent pipe damage, you can drain the plumbing system before leaving your home vacant for the winter season.
To do so, start by turning the main water valve by the water meter off. Then, open up all of the sink faucets from the top floor down. The last faucet you should open is the laundry or utility sink in your basement. If you don't have a basement or utility sink, open the main faucet on the lowest floor of your vacation home last. This will allow all the water from the sinks in your home to drain out of the utility sink.
After the sinks have drained, go back and open all the bathtub faucets and flush all the toilets, starting on the top floor so all the water can drain out of the lower utility sink faucet you've opened. Once everything has drained, there should be no water left sitting in the toilets or dripping out of the faucets and shower heads. Make sure all the faucets are left open while you're away.
Insulate the Exterior Pipes
Another effective way to protect your new summer vacation home from winter damage is to insulate the exterior pipes where possible. Any pipes that are exposed in the basement, attic, or outside of your vacation house should be wrapped with thermostatic tape or insulation foam so they don't freeze in extreme weather conditions.
You should also apply spray foam insulation around the gaps near exterior spigots. Make sure all the hoses are disconnected from the spigots and that all exterior faucets are opened and drained. And don't forget to disconnect any irrigation or drip watering systems that may be in the garden.
By following the steps outlined here, you can have peace of mind in knowing that your new vacation home will stay protected throughout the winter so you can enjoy every square inch of it come summer time. Contact a vacation homes realtor for more information and assistance.
