Why Winterizing Your Property Matters

How Does Winterization Increase the Life of Your Property?

Winterizing a property can be a critical practice for people who have a second home or vacation home in areas of the country that experience inclement weather during the winter months.  Even for those with homes in areas that don’t generally see frigid temps, an unexpected cold snap can wreak havoc on an untreated property.  However, there is a way to prevent damage from happening before weather becomes an issue – the process of winterization.  Through winterization, your vacant home is protected from freeze damage by removing all water from the plumbing system.

Understanding Winterization

As a homeowner, landlord, or property manager responsible for maintaining the integrity of a property, you may be aware of how detrimental cold weather can be to a property.  Failing to take proper precautions can result in damage to the plumbing system.  Winterization is defined as the ability to resist or defy the effects of the winter season.  In our case, it means proper precautions to rid your house of water, prevent new water from entering the system, and using antifreeze as needed to deter freezing within your home.  Thinking ahead is key – winterizing your home at the end of the summer/beginning of fall ensures that you are adequately protected before the threat of freezing temperatures.

Steps to Winterizing Your House

There are three main types of heating systems that may power your home: a dry system, a steam system, or a radiant system.  Each system requires a different set of tasks necessary to fully winterize the property.  First, we will review the steps needed to winterize a dry system.

• Disconnect the water supply
• Drain all water from the system
• Blow the lines with an air compressor
• Add anti-freeze to toilet bowls and tanks, p-traps
• If your property has a radiant or steam heating system, you will also need to ensure that the boiler is drained

SGPNOW’s nationwide vendor network is skilled at performing winterizations, ensuring your property is fully protected against all cold-weather damage during the winter months.  For more information, or to order your winterization service, please visit www.sgpnow.com/products/winterization.  

Other Helpful Winterizing Steps to Protect your Property

• Insulate your home: One of the most effective ways to winterize your home is to insulate it properly. This helps to keep the heat in and the cold out, which can save you money on your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. Consider adding insulation to your attic, walls, and crawl spaces.

• Check and repair your roof: A damaged or leaking roof can lead to serious problems in the winter, such as water damage and ice dams. Before the cold weather sets in, have a professional inspect your roof for any signs of damage and make any necessary repairs.

• Seal any gaps or cracks: Gaps and cracks around doors and windows can let in cold air and increase your energy bills. Use weather-stripping or caulk to seal these gaps and keep the cold out.

• Protect your pipes: Frozen pipes can burst and cause serious water damage to your home. To prevent this, wrap any exposed pipes with insulation or heat tape and let your faucets drip a little to keep the water moving.

• Clean your gutters: Clogged gutters can cause water to build up and freeze, potentially causing damage to your roof and walls. Before the winter weather arrives, clean out your gutters and make sure they are in good working order.

SGPNOW offers several property assessments that can help you identify any of these conditions along with providing bids to complete the work to cure them. Visit our catalog of property assessments here: https://www.sgpnow.com/collections/property-assessments