Is your vacant property winterized?
Frigid temperatures in Maryland are putting your vacant property at risk if it hasn't been winterized.
Frozen pipes are no fun for anyone - except perhaps the plumbers and contractors who profit from repairing the damage. Whether you're a property owner or a real estate agent with a vacant listing, don't wait another day to winterize that vacant property. Time and money spent on winterizing is a bargain, compared to the time and money it will cost to deal with any damage that results from NOT winterizing.
While I can't claim any expertise on this subject, I can repeat the advice I've heard from countless home inspectors, plumbers, and experienced landlords over the years:
1. Turn on utilities
Maintain heat at a low temperature to help protect the inside of your home from the risk of water damage caused by frozen (and broken) pipes or warped walls and trim caused by extreme temperature changes.
2. Disconnect hoses
Remove hoses from outside spigots and turn off the water supply to all exterior spigots. A turn-off valve can usually be found on an interior wall nearby - perhaps under your sink or in the basement.
3. Wrap exposed pipes
Wrap insulation around the pipes under your kitchen and bathroom sinks, or any exposed sources of water, to help protect them from freezing. You might even want to leave the cabinet door open so heat gets in.
4. Let water run through the pipes
Turn on a water faucet located far from the place where water enters the home, and keep it running at a slow drip so water isn't standing still in your pipes. Remember, the cost of running water is probably less than the cost of repairs and mold remediation if your pipes freeze and break.
5. Add anti-freeze to standing water
Drain water from your toilet bowl and add antifreeze to prevent the water from freezing and cracking the toilet bowl.
When temperatures are below freezing for several days, visit your vacant property often to make sure no pipes have frozen and broken. 'Better safe than sorry!
P.S. Be sure to check the comments often, as I'm sure there will be other helpful suggestions added for winterizing your vacant property..
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