If your home or a client’s home is empty during the winter months in the Northeast, it is essential to properly winterize it to prevent the pipes from freezing and breaking. Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your plumbing system if not properly prepared. Unoccupied homes that have not been winterized are susceptible to broken and frozen pipes. It is not uncommon for entire homes to freeze, causing the entire plumbing system to have to be replaced, a costly and unnecessary effort to deal with during real estate transactions.
Winterizing the property is the responsibility of the owner or the bank if the property has been repossessed. It is a way to protect your home and your investment. In some cases, homeowners can winterize the plumbing system and leave the heating system running. In other cases, homeowners may choose to winterize plumbing and heating systems.
If you are looking to buy a home that has been winterized, it is often the buyer’s responsibility to pay for the home to be winterized. If a home was not properly winterized, there may be broken or cracked pipes. Homeowners should verify the integrity of the plumbing system before finalizing any sales agreement. You should not only inspect all the pipes and fittings, but also the heating system. This is traditionally done during a “walk-through” before closing.
In the case of homes in foreclosure, buyers often must pay for the winter removal of the property to inspect the integrity of the plumbing system; and then also re-wintering.
Protecting your home during a real estate transaction is a major endeavor. If your home is unoccupied for extended periods during the sale process, remember to winterize it to avoid undue property damage.