Before you say goodbye to your vacation home for the season, make sure you shut it down properly to help it withstand the harsh winter climate as it stands vacant until spring. Having a checklist is an excellent way to ensure that you cover all bases. So, here’s our checklist: Shut off the water!!!
Check your roof and your shingles to make sure they can withstand snow, ice and water through the winter months.
Okay, there’s more to it than that, but you’d be amazed at how many people forget to protect their home correctly from water damage during the months where the house is vacant. Keeping the water on causing pipes to freeze, burst and flood your home is the number one mistake homeowners make when closing up their home for the season. Even if you intend to leave the heat on a little, to protect your home all year round, any power outages could cause your pipes to freeze up and crack. Then you arrive at a soggy, moldy and ruined vacation home.
Why shut off the water?
It’s one thing to remember to turn off the main water valve, but there’s more to it than that. You have to make sure that you drain all water lines going into your home and feeding your toilets, sinks, showers, appliances, etc. Water still stored in your pipes can (and will) freeze, expanding the pipes and eventually cracking them.
Shut off the main water valve and drain all pipes leading to your vacation home before the frost comes.
An exterior inspection is highly recommended
Nope, you’re not done yet. Water damage doesn’t just come from your water pipes. Rain and melting snow can cause a lot of damage if your home has leaks. Give your house a quick exterior inspection checking your shingles and your gutters. If you find problems, schedule any maintenance and repairs before it gets too cold.
Fixing up your summer home now will arm it against a grueling Colorado winter. And once spring rolls around, your vacation home will be ready and waiting for you.