Snowbirds looking forward to several months in a warm, laidback location should attend to home-based preparations before taking off. After all, if you’re lax about protecting your property for a winter vacancy, you’ll worry about it at best—and at worst, deal with messy, pricey repairs due to frozen pipes, downed tree limbs, or other unwelcome events associated with frigid and stormy weather.
与任何延长的假期一样，将采取安全措施，例如编程灯和转发邮件，因此，可能的入侵者不会知道没有人在家。HomeHome但是在冬天不在，需要采取其他行动才能超越元素的猛烈攻击。
冬季房屋的步骤HomeHome
Use this guide to understand the prep steps of winterization so you can truly chill out while enjoying a season in the sun.
Arrange for essential inspections
Having a professional sign-off on essential systems before cold weather hits is key to peace of mind. The list includes your furnace or boiler, chimney, insulation, and possibly your electrical panel, wiring, and outlets.
The exterior of the house, particularly the roof, warrants a thorough checkup to ensure against structural weakness that could be exacerbated by heavy storms. Repair any problems and arrange for someone to remove snow from your sidewalks and driveway to avoid liability issues and to signal to would-be intruders that the house is being carefully tended (and occupied).
关闭水 - 如果可以的话
If a管道冻结和爆裂，或偷偷摸摸的泄漏情况，可能会造成严重的水损害。关闭房屋的供水是一种明智的预防措施（尽管并非每个房主都可以这样做，请参见下面）。HomeHome
The main shutoff valve will likely be in the basement, towards the front of the house. A ball valve requires just a quarter turn to the right to close, while a gate valve may need several clockwise turns to stop the water supply. After shutting off the water flow, open faucets, and flush toilets to drain the pipes.
Shut off the water—where you can
较旧的蒸汽热量或连接到主要供水的自动洒水系统的人们不应将水关闭到整个房屋中。但是，将供水关闭到洗衣机上，洗碗机可能会在不在的情况下进行软管断裂或松动，可以避免损坏。为此，请在设备的供水管线附近找到一个小旋钮，然后顺时针旋转。在您的情况下，请检查供应线是否有裂缝，凸起和泄漏，以更换任何外观的东西。
调整恒温器
如果没有人在那里，就无需保留您的家庭烤面包。HomeHome但是，保持至少55°F的内部温度至关重要，尤其是当您不排干管道时，墙壁和地板上的管道不会冻结。
Now’s a good time to change the batteries in the thermostat or, if you’re on a smart home system, make any necessary app updates so you’ll be alerted to issues. Leave doors to rooms and cabinets open so warm air will circulate freely. And exposed pipes in unheated areas (attics, basements, crawl spaces, garages) should be shielded with foam or rubber insulation sleeves.
Deter ice dams
A dreadedice dam可以develop when melted snow pools and refreezes along the roofline. Ice dams prevent proper drainage off the roof and through the gutters, allowing moisture to seep under shingles and into the house.
One preventive measure is to add extra insulation to the attic. This helps maintain an even temperature at the top of the house, so snow will be less likely to melt and then refreeze on the roof.
管理树木及其碎屑
Trim large branches that could be downed during a heavy snowfall, crashing onto the house. Due diligence is required regardinggutters and downspouts：干净的叶子，棍子和其他物质，并确保落水管朝远离房屋。这将使水自由流动，避开粉底，远离地下室，并且损坏油漆和壁板的可能性较小。
Keep critters out
空旷的房子对于正在寻找筑巢的地方的动物和昆虫无法抗拒。阻止野生动植物is another reason to seal any gaps, cracks, or chinks in doors, windows, and the overall exterior. A chimney sweep will banish existing evidence of uninvited guests and may advise you to add a screen cap to discourage newcomers; then be sure to close the fireplace flue prior to your departure. Finally, give the place a thorough cleaning, including the oven, pantry, and cabinets, to get rid of any tempting crumbs.
Unplug electronics and appliances
Electronics and appliances draw power even when not in use, so go from room to room, disconnecting your router, modem, computer, and media equipment, as well as the washer/dryer and kitchen appliances, both large and small.
冰箱应被拔下，清除和解冻，门还敞开，以阻止霉菌和霉菌的生长。如果风暴导致停电，那么跑步冰箱中留下的任何食物肯定会破坏 - 您不会在春季回家的那种不愉快的食物！HomeHome