Winterizing Your Seasonal Vermont Home

As we begin to transition from fall to winter weather, many Vermont residents are planning their trips down south for the season. But, there are a few important home maintenance tasks to complete first. Think of this as your ultimate checklist to protect your home for your long trip away, from plumbing and heating to security and property management.

Plumbing & Water

The last thing you want is to come home to a burst pipe or flooded basement. Use these tips to make sure your plumbing and water systems are in good shape before you leave:

• Shut off the main water supply and drain the lines, including outdoor spigots, irrigation, and any lakefront or dock plumbing.
• Shut off the water heater. Empty and disconnect hoses on appliances.
• Winterize wells and pump systems, and know what your septic system needs before it sits unused.
• Consider automatic water shutoff and leak detection sensors, which are a strong selling point for out-of-state owners.

Heat & Energy

Conserve electricity while keeping your home in proper condition while you’re away with these tips: 

• Keep heat on low, but don’t turn it off completely. We recommend keeping it at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your pipes from freezing
• Service the furnace or boiler, heat pumps, and any propane or oil systems before the season, and if necessary, confirm fuel delivery or monitoring.
• Have chimneys and wood stoves inspected and cleaned, and close the flue when the home is empty.
• Install remote temperature monitoring so you can get alerts if the heat fails.
• Check insulation, weatherstripping, and windows to better contain heat in your home.

Electrical Safety

Winter weather can come with power outages and strange electrical phenomena. Prevent electrical fires and keep your home’s power on by taking these precautions:

• Consider a generator or backup power for pumps, heat, and monitoring systems.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.
• Unplug nonessential electronics and consider surge protection.

Interior Preparation

Winterization goes beyond your utilities. Store your items properly to keep them in good condition and avoid pests: 

• Remove perishables, clean the refrigerator, and leave doors ajar if it's turned off.
• Store valuables, art, and wine appropriately, and think about humidity control for wood floors, instruments, and artwork.
• Leave cabinet doors under sinks open if the heat is running low to ensure proper air circulation.
• Use pest deterrents and seal food.

Exterior, Roof, & Snow

Maintain the exterior of your home for the winter with proper landscaping, a snow removal plan, and more:

• Clean gutters and check the roof for damage, and consider heat cables or snow guards where ice dams are a risk.
• Arrange snow removal for the driveway, roof, and walkways, and make sure emergency access stays clear.
• Trim trees near the house and power lines, since heavy snow and ice can bring branches down.
• Secure or store outdoor furniture, boats, docks, and equipment.
• Seal gaps where mice and other pests get in.

Property Management While You’re Away

You’re officially ready to take your time away from home! Make sure you have security precautions and property management in place, in case of emergency:

• Add security cameras and a monitored alarm system with remote access.
• Have someone check on the house every few weeks to ensure there aren’t any issues. This may include: clearing snow from exhaust vents, checking for potential damage after storms, and checking on pipes inside the home.

Once you check all of these items off your list, it’s officially time to go south! Once you return this spring, you’ll find your home in great shape and ready to prepare for warmer weather. 

Want more home maintenance tips? Check out our blog!