My House is Winterized! What is Winterization? - Home Inspections by US Inspect (2024)

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My House is Winterized! What is Winterization? - Home Inspections by US Inspect? ›

Winterizing is when a house is prepared for vacancy. This process prepares the plumbing system and components to not be affected by temperature extremes (so the pipes don't freeze). The process should be performed when a house is expected to be vacant through the heating season, a.k.a winter.

Winterization of a house is the process of preparing the property to be vacant during the winter. Typically, you will want to take these preventive steps this fall, ahead of winter weather season. Being proactive can help protect against risks of damage due to bursting water pipes and other home and property issues.

winterized; winterizing. transitive verb. : to make ready for winter or winter use and especially resistant or proof against winter weather.

Winterization is a type of fractionation (also known as fractionate crystallization), the general process of separating the triglycerides found in fats and oils, using the difference in their melting points, solubility, and volatility. Winterization is an oil refinement technique commonly used in biotechnology.

Normal range: $65 - $1,000. The cost to winterize a house is $250 on average, but it can cost between $65 and $1,000 or more depending on the extent of work you need done.

A detailed study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found residents preferred a wintertime heater setting between 67 °F and 70 °F (19 °C to 21 °C). The Department of Energy recommends a winter heat setting of 68 °F (20 °C), which matches up very well with the temperatures most of us are comfortable with.

From falling snow to cold temperatures, this season can lead to roof damage, siding damage, leaky pipes, and more. You can't keep Mother Nature from having her way, but there are steps you can take to prepare your home for the challenges of winter. This process is often known as winterizing.

There are two types of winterizations, dry and wet. Dry Heat systems are forced hot air, they will have furnaces, vents and/ or registers. Wet heat systems can either be “Steam Heat” or “Radiant Heat”. “Steam Heat” will have a steam boiler and steam running through the system, generally radiators.

The winterization process must include a thorough and complete draining of all plumbing and heating systems. Use of air pressure to clear the system or, in some cases, adding antifreeze to the systems are both acceptable provided that the effect prevents freeze-ups.

How do you winterize a seasonal house? ›

Winterizing your home is helpful when looking to avoid high energy costs and structural damage from the winter storm. Adequate winterization is especially important for homes that are unoccupied during the winter.

Pipes: Turn off water supply to the house and drain pipes to protect them from freezing. You can empty pipes by running the water and flushing the toilets after the water has been turned off. After draining the pipes, it is a good idea to leave the faucets open to prevent pressure build up from any water that remains.

Winterizing is when a house is prepared for vacancy. This process prepares the plumbing system and components to not be affected by temperature extremes (so the pipes don't freeze). The process should be performed when a house is expected to be vacant through the heating season, a.k.a winter.

Winterizing Toilets and Drains

Detach the water supply hose from the side of the toilet and let the water drain out. Have a bucket or towel ready to catch water drips. Pour non-toxic antifreeze into the toilet tank and then flush the toilet to distribute it to the overflow lines.