Winterizing a home

[Bill H]

Does anyone have any information on winterizing an empty home?

I have been asked by several Realtors and there is nobody in the area that performs this.

[Jim Morrison]

First off, I'd say: Don't. Because more often than not, it isn't done right and it results in damage. But if someone just has to:

They shut off the water supply to the house. Then, open every fixture and drain all of the water of the pipes, water heater, and boiler. Next, pour anti-freeze in all of the traps and toilets.

[Chad Fabry]

Next, pour anti-freeze in all of the traps and toilets.

It'd friendly to use propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. When I winterize a cottage or home I use a compressor to blow out the water lines. Don't forget to empty the toilet tanks.

[charlieb]

Like chad said. use the air to push all water out. Start at the fixture closest to the water service entrance. 30 lbs. air pressure. Use RV anti freeze from Walmart. A dishwasher is a trap. Close off the water heater and washing machine valves after the blown out is complete.

[Erby]

Google for "hud winterization standards" You'll get plenty of information.

[kurt]

From what I've seen of winterized homes going through hard winters, the best winterization would be keeping the heat on and installing thermostatic sensors in appropriate locations and tie them to one of those online safety alert computer programs.

Alarm sounds, send over a technician.

[Bill H]

thank you for the information

[Mark P]

From what I hear banks don’t pay much to have a home winterized ($40 - $50) and they seem to get what they pay for. This past Spring I cannot count the number of homes that had broken pipes when they were de-winterized.

[kurt]

From what I hear banks don’t pay much to have a home winterized ($40 - $50) and they seem to get what they pay for. This past Spring I cannot count the number of homes that had broken pipes when they were de-winterized.

Pipes, radiators, delaminated drywall, loose tape seams, warped flooring, wood lath and scratch coats separating, etc., etc. Freezing a house screws them up.

[ghentjr]

To add to Kurt, a boiler will never be right again after the castings get below freezing. The push nipples usually loosen and leak.

[gregzoll]

There is a video on Ask This Old House, where they Winterized a home.