Home Alone: How to Winterize a Vacant House

Whether you’re flying the coop for the whole winter or taking a long holiday vacation, winterizing a vacant home before leaving is important. If you don’t take precautions, you could end up coming home to some serious and expensive damage. Follow the checklist below to learn how to winterize a vacant house and help avoid any unwanted surprises when you return.

Turn off the water supply

The most important thing you need to do, especially if you’re leaving a house unoccupied for the entire winter, is shut off your water supply. Leaving the water on when the lines aren’t going to be used can lead to a leak or burst pipe, which can cause a lot of damage. Shut your water off at the main valve, usually located outside. If you have a well, simply shut the breaker to the pump.

Tip: If you’re not going to shut off the water supply, you should leave some water running through the pipes. Turn on the fixtures closest to where water enters the house and at the farthest point indoors, like an upstairs bathroom, so there’s a steady trickle. The water needs to be constantly flowing to avoid a problem.

Drain the water lines

When you shut off your water, you don’t want any water to remain in your pipes or they could freeze and expand. So drain your water lines by opening all the faucets in your home and flushing all the toilets. Allow the water to run until it becomes a slow drip. After the toilets have drained their tanks, flush them one more time to empty the bowls. If your water supply comes from a well, drain the pressure tank.

If you’re going to be shutting off the pilot light to your water heater, you will want to drain your water heater as well.

Insulate pipes

Whether or not you turn off your water, it’s a good idea to wrap insulation around your pipes, especially those leading to and from your water heater, and any pipes exposed outdoors or in unheated areas like garages, basements, attics, and crawl spaces.

• Use Foam or Fiberglass Insulation: Wrap pipes with foam sleeves or fiberglass wrap to maintain a consistent temperature and reduce the risk of freezing.
• Seal Gaps and Apply Heating Tape: Seal gaps around pipes entering through exterior walls with caulk or expanding foam. Consider using electrical heating tape for vulnerable pipes.
• Use Thermocoat Spray: Apply Thermocoat spray to pipes for an added layer of insulation and protection against freezing temperatures, especially in hard-to-wrap areas.

By taking these steps to winterize your house, you can significantly reduce the risk of bursting pipes and costly water damage during a deep freeze.

Turn down the heat

You don’t want to turn your furnace off completely as this could cause your pipes to freeze and break. Instead, turn your thermostat down to about 60 degrees to keep your home systems and components near room temperature, where they are meant to be. Your heating bill will be less than the cost of potential repairs.

Unplug all appliances

If you leave the electric power on, unplug electric appliances, including microwave ovens and TVs. This way you’ll avoid the risk of fire if there should be a faulty switch or other issue. 

Throw out the trash

Don’t forget to empty all your trash cans before you leave. You don’t want to end up with a really foul odor when you return. You’ll also want to rid your refrigerator of any food that could go bad while you’re gone. Take this out with the trash too.

Keep your home secure

It’s important to make sure your home appears occupied and well-secured when you’re away in the winter months in order to deter potential intruders. Here are some key steps to keep your home safe while you're away:

• Forward Unopened Mail and Arrange for Snow Removal: Uncollected mail and newspapers are a clear sign that a home is vacant. Forward your mail to a temporary address or have a trusted neighbor collect it. Arrange for someone to shovel your driveway and walkway if it snows, making it look like someone is home.
• Add Motion-Sensitive Lighting: Install motion-sensitive lights around your property. These lights will turn on when someone approaches, discouraging potential prowlers from lurking around.
• Check Your Security/Alarm System: Check that your security system is working correctly before you leave. Test all alarms and sensors, and make sure your monitoring service has your updated contact information. If you don't have a security system, consider installing one.
• Avoid Posting About Travels Online: Resist the temptation to post about your vacation plans or share photos while you're away. Sharing this information publicly can alert potential burglars that your home is unoccupied. Save the updates for when you return.

Don’t worry, be warranty

It can be hard to know how to winterize your home when leaving for the winter, but following these steps will put you in a good position to face the cold months ahead. Unfortunately, even the best laid plans can go awry. Rest easy during the unpredictable winter season with an American Home Shield® home warranty. From heating breakdowns to electrical and indoor plumbing issues, American Home Shield has you covered. For more tips on preparing for the winter and beyond, check out the Home Matters blog.

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.