Winterize your home is vital for those planning long winter vacations. Even if you are away for as little as two weeks, Murphy’s Law dictates that you should leave little to chance and protect your home as thoroughly as possible. You may not be able to control the forces of nature, but you can make your home ready for any harsh weather ahead and prevent serious damage.

Follow the below checklist to avoid costly winter season problems.

Adjust your thermostat.

Set your thermostat at the lowest temperature that will keep your pipes from freezing and bursting, at least 50 to 55 degrees F.

Shut off the water at the main valve.

This eliminates unwanted pressurized water from entering your home. If you’re not sure where it is or how to shut off the water, call a professional for help.

After you shut off the main water valve, open all faucets, allowing water to drain from your pipes. This prevents any remaining water in your pipes from freezing.

Clean your gutters to allow water to flow through them with ease, preventing interior leaks and most ice dams.

Whether you use propane or natural gas, shut down your gas line. Call your propane or natural gas service provider and have a technician shut off your gas line to keep gas from entering your home while you’re away. Doing so reduces or eliminates the risk of an accidental leak.

Prepare for severe winter storms. Remove all yard furniture and all items that can be dislodged and thrown about during severe storms.

Let your neighbors know that you’ll be away from home. Notify trusted neighbors that you’ll not be home for long periods in winter. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, reporting any unusual activity or damage to you.

Unplug electronics and appliances.

Keep electric bills low while you’re away and unplug all electronics and appliances. Don’t forget to unplug those power strips you use to protect your electronics, as they use a little electricity even when your devices are off.

Flush your water heater, along with your interior pipes. You’ll receive an added benefit when you drain your water heater – all that sediment that has collected in the bottom of your tank-style water heater will be washed away, improving its efficiency

Get a water flow sensor and low temperature sensor installed on your main water supply line. Whether hooked up to a 24/7 monitored alarm system or connected to your smartphone, these sensors will alert you about problems while you’re away.

Need help winterizing your home?

If you are unsure about doing any of these winterizing tips call your local home service professionals at PC Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling. Our fully-trained and experienced technicians are happy to help you avoid costly winter season problems with your plumbing and heating systems this season and all year long.