Why Winterizing Your NW Montana Property is Crucial
By Jeannette Carr-Smith
With an unseasonably warm winter so far and a lot of rain, we really haven't had to deal with cold weather, lots of snow, and freezing pipes yet. But now is a good time to remind everyone to make sure their vacant homes and properties are ready for frigid weather.
This could save you a big headache and expensive clean-up bill in the spring, which no one wants to deal with. . .
Many of our clients own second homes, vacation homes, are Snowbirds, or leave for weeks or months during the coldest winter weather. In Montana, that is typically January, February, and into March.
Winterizing your property should be at the top of the to-do list prior to potential snowstorms, ice, and freezing temperatures.
Below is a to-do list to consider:
Check gutters and drainage areas for leaves, pine needles, and other debris to avoid trapping water, ice, and creating blockages.
Clear areas of heavy debris that could trap water run-off, diverting water into a building, crawl space, or basement.
Drain hoses and store them in a dry place.
Blow our irrigation systems and underground sprinklers so they don’t get damaged by frost.
Put away or cover outdoor furniture, equipment, or BBQ's.
Secure anything that could get blown away or damaged by high winds.
Empty out and turn any outside storage containers upside down to prevent cracking during freezing temps or store them in a dry place.
Drain the fuel tank on your lawnmower and other power equipment.
Close your fireplace flue to prevent birds, bats, or insects from entering the home.
Shut off the main water supply to the home or property to avoid leaks if anything freezes up.
Shut off power to your water heater and drain it.
Open faucets and drain all water lines to prevent burst pipes.
Leave your heat on, but set it to a low temperature to prevent freezing (generally around 55 degrees Fahrenheit).
Install or verify proper functioning of a security system, motion sensor lights, and/or doorbell camera so you can monitor your property from anywhere. Put up no trespassing and "monitored by surveillance" or a security system on the property. This may be just enough to make people think twice about entering the property.
Avoid leaving a “for sale” sign outside the property, since this can attract theft. Never make it obvious that you are gone or the property is vacant. This includes stopping package delivery.
Avoid posting on-line that you are gone on vacation or that a property is sitting vacant or unattended.
Each year is different but always take the time to either winterize your property yourself or hire a professional to do this work. It will save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run. With a little work now, you can prevent damage, insurance claims, and potential de-valuing of your property.