Your Guide on How to Winterize a House

Winterizing your home keeps you warm, yes. But it also protects your plumbing, so you don’t have to deal with costly repairs or a maxed-out heating bill. If you don’t know how to winterize a house, you’re missing out on these important benefits. 

Avoid the risks of frozen pipes, heating inefficiencies, and water damage when you learn how to winterize your home. Knowing the right plumbing, heating, and insulation tips can safeguard your home and save you money throughout the colder months.

Why Home Winterizing Is Important

Neglecting to winterize your home can lead to serious issues, including burst pipes. When it gets cold and pipes freeze, their internal pressure increases, which can cause pipes to rupture.

You also can’t forget about skyrocketing heating bills and structural damage from ice buildup.

Home winterizing helps:

• Prevent frozen and burst pipes, which reduces the risk of costly water damage.
• Lower energy costs by keeping your heating system from working overtime.
• Extend the life of plumbing and HVAC systems with less unnecessary wear and tear.
• Increase home comfort so your living spaces are warm and free from drafts.

Your Home Winterization Checklist: How to Prepare for Freezing Temperatures

Before winter arrives, there are several general cold-weather preparation steps you can take. Follow these pointers on how to get your house ready for winter so the first big cold wave doesn’t leave you shivering — or worse, with a plumbing emergency:

• Inspect and clean gutters: Prevents ice dams and water damage.
• Seal windows and doors: Keeps warm air inside and cold drafts out using weatherstripping or plastic window film.
• Test your heating system: Ensure your furnace or boiler is working efficiently.
• Check insulation: Attic and wall insulation help retain heat and reduce energy bills.
• Reverse ceiling fans: Setting fans to rotate clockwise pushes warm air downward.

How to Winterize Your Plumbing

After taking a few general home winterization steps, you should turn your focus to your plumbing. Plumbing winterization is the best way to prevent burst pipes and high energy costs.

Insulating Pipes to Prevent Freezing

The first step in winterizing your plumbing is to insulate your pipes. In particular, pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and garages are vulnerable. 

Protect them by wrapping pipes with fiberglass insulation, foam sleeves, or heat tape. This creates a shield from cold air and should keep them from dangerous frigid temperatures.

How to Winterize Water Pipes

If your home lacks strong insulation, insulating pipes might not be enough to avoid frozen pipes. You’ll want to take these additional precautions:

1. Keep cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
2. Let faucets drip during extreme cold to relieve pressure and prevent freezing.
3. Keep garage doors closed, especially if supply lines run through the area.
4. Use space heaters in unheated areas.

If your pipes do freeze, acting fast is key to prevent damage.

How to Protect Outdoor Plumbing from Cold Weather

Outdoor plumbing needs extra attention in winter. Here’s how to prepare your outdoor plumbing for cold weather:

• Shut off the water to outdoor faucets.
• Drain excess water in sprinkler systems to avoid frozen pipes.
• Insulate outdoor spigot with fitted covers.
• Drain and store garden hoses to prevent cracking and freezing.

Following these winter plumbing tips will keep your outdoor plumbing in great shape. 

Winterizing a Home When Away or If It’s Vacant

Leaving your home unoccupied during winter? Here’s how winterizing a home when away works:

• Lower (but don’t turn off) the heat: Set the thermostat to at least 55°F.
• Shut off the water supply: Drain pipes to prevent freezing.
• Ask someone to check in: A friend or neighbor can help spot issues early.

How Much Does It Cost to Winterize a House?

There’s no way to estimate how much it costs to winterize a house because it varies based on home size, plumbing complexity, and insulation needs. For example, a brand-new home with top-of-the-line insulation will likely cost less to winterize than a 100-year-old home insulated only with horsehair plaster.

Costs may also vary depending on how many steps you take. For example, you might be able to get a plastic window film kit for $20, but insulating your whole home could cost thousands of dollars.

If your goal is to find a mix of affordable and effective solutions, consider adding up the estimated costs of all your winterization steps and comparing them to the cost of your winter heating bill. In some cases, it might take a few years to break even, but it will be worth it in the long run, especially if you can avoid costly plumbing repairs.

Why Home Winterizing Matters 

By insulating pipes, maintaining heating systems, and sealing drafts, you can prevent costly winter plumbing damage. The best time to prepare is before freezing temperatures arrive.

Not sure where to start? Roto-Rooter can help! Our professional winterization services ensure your home is ready for the cold. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and keep your plumbing protected all winter long.