How to Winterize Your Home's Plumbing (Especially if You Travel)

Going away in winter is when pipes burst. Cold snap, empty house, no one to notice. Here's the checklist:

Before you leave

• Set thermostat to at least 55°F — never lower
• Disconnect outdoor hoses; shut off and drain outdoor spigots
• Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls
• Drip both hot and cold faucets on the coldest plumbing run in the house
• Insulate any exposed pipes in basements, crawlspaces, garages
• Service or test the sump pump and battery backup

For longer trips

• Shut off the water main at the meter
• Drain the system — open the highest faucet, then the lowest, until water stops
• Flush toilets and add a few cups of RV antifreeze (the pink stuff, not the green automotive kind) to bowl and tank
• Drain the water heater if leaving for an extended period

Have someone check on the house

If a pipe does burst while you're gone, the difference between someone catching it in 2 hours vs. 2 weeks is enormous. Ask a neighbor to peek inside every few days.

Smart leak detectors

Whole-home water leak detectors that auto-shut-off the main if they detect flooding are $300-700 installed. Cheap insurance.