As the holiday season ramps up, the nights are getting longer and the air just a little bit colder here on the Outer Banks. As you prepare to settle in for the winter season and maybe close up your home until spring, it’s important to plan ahead for winterizing your home so that its protected and ready to go again in time for the warmer months. Here are some of our tips for winterizing your property and planning ahead if your home is going to be closed during the winter months.
And don’t forget that when you give us the opportunity to manage your property, we will work with you to keep your home running smoothly during the winter months to get that extra income or we’ll get your home winterized and ready for whatever the chilly months bring.
Take Care of Small Repairs Now
If you don’t have many rentals during the off-season or if you’re planning to close up the home for the winter, make sure to check out the condition of your home before closing up. Look for cracks, holes in the siding, or anything else that could potentially get worse during the colder months. Take care of issues now to avoid having to spend the spring playing catch-up. And this way, once you know you’re home is already renter-ready, you can enjoy your future visits to the property without having to worry about maintenance and upkeep during your own vacation.
Check Your Temperature & Insulation
Check to make sure that the heat is working and give it a test before letting it run. Cover air conditioning units, winterize the system, and ensure that there’s no debris left sitting in the outside system. Set your thermostat to 55°F before leaving for the winter to avoid letting the house get too cold and potentially prevent pipes from freezing. And speaking of pipes, do a check around the house to make sure that any exposed pipes are covered and insulated. Check any additional insulation in the home to make sure that attic areas are protected and seal any air leaks to prevent cold air from blowing into the home while you’re away.
Unplug all electronics and appliances
If you are planning on closing the home up for the winter, make sure to unplug all electronics and appliances, including the refrigerator. Leave the doors slightly open after defrosting and make sure to clean up any spills. Unplugging your electronics will not only help you save on energy bills while the home isn’t being rented, but it is also an important safety precaution.
Shut Off & Drain the Water
If you’re not planning on having anyone in the home during the winter months, the safest best to avoid frozen pipes and accidental leaks is to shut off and drain the water. Ensure that the water is turned off outside before opening all faucets to let them drain completely. Also be sure to keep an eye on the toilets to avoid leaving water behind. This won’t be necessary if you’re planning to rent throughout the winter, or use the home yourself, but cutting off the water before leaving a home unoccupied for several months is essential for preventing leaks and potential water damage.
Check Your Roof
The Outer Banks is known for its tempestuous weather and pop-up storms, even during the winter months. Before closing up your home for the season, take the time to check out your roof. Look around for raised tiles, leaks, or anything that could become a potential hazard if left unattended. Taking care of this now can prevent a larger catastrophe from happening in the future.
Clean Out the Pantry
Make sure that the pantries and refrigerators are clean before you leave. Food that’s left behind for several months can create a temptation for bugs, rodents, and other pests who will be coming inside to escape the colder weather. These guests will not only create a mess with any leftover food in the pantry, but their presence is a potential fire hazard if they start chewing on things and any evidence left behind will make re-opening your home in the spring that much more difficult. Take the food with you, toss out anything expired, and consider donating in-date non-perishable goods to the local food pantry before you leave for the winter.
Protect Your Outdoor Furniture
Those same winter storms that can wreak havoc on an unsecured rooftop can also do damage to outdoor furniture and amenities like grills, games, and fire pits. Secure all outdoor furniture either inside a storage area or to the deck/ground before leaving. Bring grills under the carport and do your best to keep them dry and away from the elements. The same goes for any other outside amenities provided for your guests. Take the extra time to secure your investment so that you’re not left having to replace or deal with damage in the spring.
Let Us Take Care Of It!
Alternatively, you can keep your home open for rentals and bring in that off-season crowd! With changing trends in travel and remote work options, more and more people are looking to vacation on the Outer Banks in the non-summer months. If you’re not going to be spending the winter in your rental, consider leaving it open for those last-minute or holiday bookings. You can get an additional return on your investment without having to worry about your home going unattended until the spring.
And if you rent your home through us at Seaside Vacations, you’ll find that our Winterization packages give you much more flexibility and a lot less to worry about. Our skilled maintenance technicians will set the interior temperature of your home to 55°F to prevent freezing, drain all outside shower lines, and ensure that supply lines are closed. Let us de-winterize your home in the spring and spend your holiday season enjoying the peace of mind knowing that your property is protected!
With decades of experience and a dedicated revenue team, Seaside Vacations will work with you to set yearly rates that are competitive while ensuring that you’re getting the most out of your property investment. We love property management on the Outer Banks and it shows. Family-owned and locally managed for over 30 years, Seaside Vacations goes above and beyond to make sure property management is Hassle-Free, meaning that we’ll take care of the details so that you can get back to taking care of the things that matter most to you.
When you’re ready to give us a try, fill out this form for your Complimentary Rental Projection or give us a call at (252) 616-1056 to find out more about property management with Seaside Vacations today!
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About the Author: Lauren is a mom, author, and travel enthusiast. She grew up on the Outer Banks and only left for a few years to get her degree at UNC-Chapel Hill and complete a tour in the Coast Guard before making her way back to the beach in 2017. When she isn’t writing for the Seaside Vacations Travel Blog, Lauren can usually be found with a book and cup of tea in hand, planning her next travel adventure.
