A home that has been winterized in order to leave it empty for the cold months of winter will then need to be de-winterized when you return to occupy it once again. This is generally a matter of reversing whatever actions you took to winterize the home. Some common winterizing actions can include:
- Shutting off the water and draining the pipes to prevent freezing
- Disconnecting flexible supply tubes for sinks, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances
- Unplugging appliances
- Programming thermostats and alarm systems
- Draining the water heater and water softener and disconnecting its water pipes
- Canceling or forwarding mail service
To reverse the process and de-winterize a house that was winterized by a professional service, the easiest solution is to have the same professionals return to systematically do the work—they know, after all, exactly what was done and how to reverse it. But since the process is relatively simple, many homeowners choose to learn the steps themselves and save on labor costs as it only requires a few basic tools and supplies.
De-Winterizing
De-winterizing a home is the process of reopening pipes and water lines for use after leaving the building vacant during the cold season. Homeowners or professionals can de-winterize houses in the spring after winterizing to preserve them through freezing temperatures.
Before You Begin
Since you’ll be working with a variety of appliances in your home, you may need to consult the owners’ manuals for the individual appliances when reconnecting water lines or supply tubes. Gather these manuals before beginning; if you no longer have the original physical copies, most can be found at the manufacturer’s websites or by contacting the manufacturer directly.
Source: The Spruce
