Winterizing Your Seasonal Home
Cooler temperatures are in the air, and if you own a seasonal lake house, cottage, or vacation retreat, it’s time to start closing it up until spring.
Preparing a seasonal property for a long New England winter involves more than simply turning down the thermostat and locking the doors. Taking the time to properly shut down your water systems, protect your appliances, and prepare your exterior can help prevent frozen plumbing, water damage, pests, and other unpleasant surprises when you return.
What Should You Do Before Closing Up Your Summer Home?
1. Protect Your Plumbing and Water Systems
One of the biggest concerns in an unoccupied seasonal property is frozen plumbing. Water left in the system can freeze, expand, and potentially damage plumbing lines, valves, fixtures, and appliances.
Properly draining and preparing your water system can greatly reduce the risk of winter damage.
Your winterization checklist should include:
Shutting off the main water supply
Turning off and draining the water heater
Draining water from plumbing lines
Blowing remaining water out of the lines when appropriate
Opening faucets, valves, and low-point drains
Adding plumbing-safe antifreeze to sink traps, tub drains, toilets, and other appropriate fixtures
If you're unsure whether you've removed all water from the system, consider having a plumbing professional handle this part of the winterization process.
2. Winterize Your Well
If your summer property has a private well, it will also need some attention before winter arrives:
Turn off power to the well pump at the electrical panel so it cannot accidentally operate while the water system is drained.
Close the main water valve and properly drain the pressure tank.
What if you have an above-ground jet pump or pump house?
Properties with above-ground jet pumps or pump houses may require additional steps to protect equipment from freezing. While submersible well pumps are typically located below the frost line, the water supply equipment inside or near the building still needs proper preparation.
3. Winterize Your Water-Connected Appliances
Dishwashers, washing machines, ice makers, and other water-connected appliances can hold small amounts of water even after you drain the main plumbing system. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for winterizing each appliance properly.
While you're at it, unplug any non-essential appliances and electronics.
Empty, clean, and defrost refrigerators and freezers, and leave the doors slightly open to help prevent mildew and odors.
4. Keep out the Critters
To prevent uninvited “guests” while you’re away, remove food, pet food, birdseed, or any other items that could attract rodents or pests.
5. Prepare Your Property’s Exterior for Snow, Ice & Wind
Before closing your summer home for the season:
Clean gutters and downspouts
Disconnect garden hoses
Shut off and drain outdoor faucets
Store or secure patio furniture and outdoor equipment
Protect vulnerable plants and trees
Remove window screens when appropriate
Mark driveway, walkway, septic, and garden edges for snow removal
Arrange for snow removal if heavy accumulation occurs
Inspect your roof for signs of damage
Ensure windows and exterior doors are tightly closed and securely locked
You may also want to arrange for someone local to periodically check your property throughout the winter, especially after severe storms or extended periods of extremely cold weather.
What Should You Do If You're Heating Your Seasonal Home Over the Winter?
Consider installing a remote thermostat or temperature-monitoring system. Being able to check the indoor temperature from your phone can provide additional peace of mind while you're away.
A Little Preparation Can Prevent Big Problems
Closing a seasonal property takes time, but working through this checklist can help protect your investment and make reopening in the spring much easier.
Every property is different, so your exact winterization process will depend on your plumbing and heating systems, well configuration, appliances, and construction.
When in doubt, bring in the right professional rather than risking damage to systems that could freeze.
Can You Convert Your Seasonal Property Into a Year-Round Home?
After years of closing up your lake house, cottage, or camp every fall, you may be wondering what it would take to enjoy it year-round.
Cormack Construction Management helps homeowners throughout New Hampshire's Lakes Region, the Mount Washington Valley, and Western Maine renovate and upgrade seasonal properties for comfortable year-round living.
Depending on your property, this may involve improving insulation, heating systems, foundations, windows and doors, plumbing, electrical systems, or other areas.
