Winter is just around the corner so this is your friendly reminder to winterize your vacation home. It doesn't matter if your vacation home is in Sonora, Jamestown, Soulsbyville, Twain Harte, Tuolumne, Mi Wuk Village, Cold Springs, Long Barn, Pinecrest or Strawberry California. If you are not using the home you need to go over the following check list or you might have big mess on your hands. Remember we have gotten snow as low as Jamestown last year.
Checklist
Shut off water at meter or main water “shutoff” valve inside home if outside cutoff not possible
Drain water heater and any well or holding tanks other than the heat system
Shut off gas or electricity to water heater. Place sign on water heater stating:
“DO NOT TURN ON WITHOUT REFILLING”
Drain all internal and external water supply lines including any well, holding tanks, or underground landscaping sprinkler systems and clear with positive air pressure
Leave all faucets and intermediate valves from the shutdown point open, including all sill cocks
Drain all water closet tanks and add antifreeze to tanks (ensure the traps are blown out)
Put minus 50 degree antifreeze in the following:
Water closet bowl traps Laundry floor drain traps
Lavatory traps Basement floor drain traps
Kitchen sink traps Bar sink trap
Bathtub traps Laundry tub traps
Place special non-toxic antifreeze solution in dishwasher drain and cycle to assure solution entered pump
Place sign on toilets stating “Toilet has been winterized – DO NOT USE” and tape toilet seat covers closed
Place “WINTERIZED” sign on nearest window clearly visible to front door. The date, your signature, with phone number and contact person should be on sign
Power to sump pumps must remain on to assure property will not be damaged by flooding
Close all fireplace dampers and fireplace vents
Electrical service and heating systems remain “ON” and set at 55 degrees during inter months.
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