Winterizing your summer house

What's inside

1. Drain water from pipes, tank, boiler and pump

   Frozen water expands and cracks pipes, the boiler and the pump from inside — the most common cause of a spring flood. Open every tap, blow the lines out with a compressor if you have one, and drain the storage tank and boiler completely.

2. Drain the toilet tank and add antifreeze to the drains

   Water left in the toilet tank and in sink/tub traps freezes just like in the pipes. Non-freezing fluid (automotive or plumbing-grade) in the drains and any leftover tank water stops them from cracking.

3. Drain, coil and store hoses indoors

   A hose left outside stiffens and cracks after just one winter of frost. Drain it fully, coil it up and store it indoors or in an unheated but sheltered shed.

4. Cut the power and switch off the breakers

   No power means fewer fire risks from voltage spikes and from rodents gnawing live wiring. Leave on only what winter genuinely requires, like pipe heating cable.

5. Clean the fridge and leave it open

   A closed, powered-off fridge grows mold and a stubborn smell inside over winter. Clean it, dry it, and leave the door slightly open so it's fresh again in spring.

6. Take all food away with you

   Canned food freezes, swells and can burst in the cold, while grains and pasta are a ready-made buffet for mice all winter. Leave nothing behind, even things that seem unappealing to rodents.

7. Pack textiles and bedding in airtight bags or take them home

   An unheated house gets damp over winter, and fabric left out absorbs that dampness and starts to smell musty. Airtight or vacuum bags protect anything you decide to leave behind.

8. Set out rodent control

   An empty house is an ideal winter shelter for mice. Traps, repellents or bait near corners and gaps cut the odds of finding chewed wiring and furniture in spring.

9. Clean the stove and chimney, close the damper

   Soot buildup in the chimney is the top cause of fires the next time you light the stove. A closed damper also keeps snow, rain and cold air from pouring through the house all winter.

10. Heat and dry the house before closing it up

    Closing up a damp house for winter just locks mold and mildew in for months. One final heating session before you leave drives moisture out of the walls and furniture.

11. Shut off the gas cylinder and take it away

    A cylinder sitting in an empty, freezing house is a risk nobody's watching all winter. Shut the valve regardless, and take the cylinder off the property entirely if you can.

12. Take paints and household chemicals somewhere warm

    Paint, varnish and many cleaning products separate and lose their properties after just one hard freeze. Bring them home or into a heated space.

13. Clear leaves out of the gutters

    A clogged gutter turns into a block of ice that strains the brackets and can tear the gutter loose under the weight. A clean-out before the first hard frost prevents that.

14. Wrap young trees against hares and rodents

    When food is scarce in winter, hares or mice can strip the bark off a young tree's trunk in a full circle and kill it. Garden fabric, mesh, or fir branches around the trunk prevent that.

15. Cover the perennials

    Roses, hydrangeas and other tender perennials often won't survive a cold, low-snow winter uncovered. Fir branches, garden fleece or dry leaves protect the roots.

16. Give the lawn its final mow

    Tall grass matted under snow rots and breeds fungal lawn diseases that only show up in spring. Make the last cut before frost shorter than usual, but not scalped.

17. Clean and oil the garden tools

    Dirt and moisture on metal turn to rust over winter, and wooden handles dry out and crack. Wipe them down, oil the metal parts and store everything under cover.

18. Take valuables away or hide them

    An empty house over winter is an obvious target. Electronics, tools and anything visibly valuable are better taken home than left in plain sight until spring.

19. Lubricate the lock

    An unprotected lock can seize up from moisture and frost over winter, forcing you to break it open come spring. A couple drops of silicone lubricant in the keyhole now saves the hassle later.

20. Leave your phone number with year-round neighbors

    A neighbor who stays through winter will be first to spot a leak, a break-in or a fallen branch on the roof. Leave your number and ask them to call about anything unusual.

21. Check or set up home insurance for the house

    Fire, flood or theft coverage matters most for a house that sits unattended for months. Make sure the policy is active and actually covers the winter period.