winterizing a house

[freshstart10]

has anyone had to winterize their home. just curious if anyone has any advice for it? my gas and electric company is coming to shut off power soon and i guess i have to winterize before they get here? ive been reading on what do to do but figured maybe someone here has done it first hand.

thanks
happy new year

[AngelinaCatHub]

First I can help you but how depends on what state are you in? ‘Hub

[freshstart10]

maryland, i guess that is important....lol

[AngelinaCatHub]

Brrrrr, yes that does make a difference in that Florida is a bit different than brrrrr.

OK, first keep it quiet if you are without electricity as you may get thrown out of the house by codes officials.

Your worse consideration is water. Are you on City water, I assume you are so, put some auto antifreeze down every drain that you have except the farthest sink from your water connection to the house. (The meter or main cut off). At the farthest sink turn on both hot and cold valves to let a trickle of water run a bit. Running water will not freeze.

If you have gas after the electric is off, be very carful attempting to heat your place with the gas stove. They are unvented and a carbonmonixide danger can occur. When they turn the gas off, make sure the stove is off as well. Hot water heater if gas, turn off the valve to it, if electric, turn off the breaker to it.

You may wish to move to a central room and hang sheets over the open doors to the room. It would be warmer in the middle of the house and less drafts. Close all heat registers of your furnace so the drafts do not come in that way.

I feel badly for you, but can’t you go to some aid in your County for electrical service help? Same with gas?

Hope this helps a bit. ‘Hub

[DaisysMom]

Is the water going to be turned off also? Either way, you need to drain toilet tank and put anti freeze in the trap.

If the water is going to be turned off, you need to blow out the lines, because if there are any low places where the water would pool, it will freeze and break the pipe. You will also need to completely drain the water tank. Put antifreeze into every drain in the house. You can get that pink RV antifreeze pretty cheap...it is more environmentally friendly.

D......

[AngelinaCatHub]

The reason I said to turn on the water at farthest point is that moving water does not freeze. No need to drain the water tank, but if you wish to do this, turn off the input valve and also the electric breaker if it is electric. When the power is restored, you must make sure you let the hot water tank completely fill with no air in it. Otherwise both heating element will burn out in about three seconds, and cost a bunch to have them replaced. I didn’t mention the toilet as I assumed it would be used enough not to freeze. If you have more than one, I would turn off the water to it and flush it dry put a bit of antifreeze in the bowl.

If you keep water on, you could not blow out the lines of course. If you need to, leave more than one sink trickling water if you are concerned about low spots freezing. ‘Hub

[TEW]

DO NOT!!!! use automotive antifreeze!!!!!!
US RV antifreeze

[AngelinaCatHub]

DO NOT!!!! use automotive antifreeze!!!!!!
US RV antifreeze

[TEW]

You better believe it and it only takes a drop.
OP needs to file tomorrow even if we all have to walk him/her through it.

[DaisysMom]

We use the pink RV antifreeze when we winterize the camper. And when we go there to check things out or do maintenance in the winter we use it to flush the toilet. I agree with TEW and Angelina....the green/yellow automotive antifreeze is lethal to all creatures that ingest it.

D....

[freshstart10]

oh im not staying in this house, im moving out but my lawyer said it has to be winterized since i wont be here. thanks for all the help.

do i need to tell the water company im leaving too?

im having power shut off next week so im assuming i should have water shut off too. then after i file on the 15th ill make the dreaded call to my mortage company to hand over the keys.

after i surrender house to mortgage company what is my responsibilities?

so should i winterize before the power company comes?

[TEW]

oh im not staying in this house, im moving out but my lawyer said it has to be winterized since i wont be here. thanks for all the help.

do i need to tell the water company im leaving too?

im having power shut off next week so im assuming i should have water shut off too. then after i file on the 15th ill make the dreaded call to my mortage company to hand over the keys.

after i surrender house to mortgage company what is my responsibilities?

so should i winterize before the power company comes?

Well you can not just hand over the keys. And do not drop the insurance. You can change the insurance to dwelling only. You are responsibly for the asset you still own it.

[dingdong]

Do they offer "cash fror keys" in your area? If you don't voluntarily turn over the keys, they may offer you a cash incentive to leave the property in broom swept condition as long as you vacate by a certain date. If you already have a new place, it would be fairly easy for you to leave and accept the terms. They basically don't want you to thrash the place, tleave all appliances and remove all your stuff, then they hand you a check when you leave.

You never know. Google your lender's name and "cash for keys" and see if it might be a possibility.

[freshstart10]

im leaving the house in perfect shape, who ever gets it will love it.

how long do i have to pay home owners insurance?

im moving out before i file, so i guess i wont tell the mortgage company im leaving til after i file since it will only be a week. im sure there getting the clue as i have missed a few payments. but my lawyer said i dont have to tell them til house is fully vacated, but it will only be vacated for 6 days, do u guys think i should keep power on til i move out or til i tell mortgage company im leaving? or doesnt matter. as of now i have it scheduled to be turned off before i tell mortgage company im leaving.

im not paying my prop taxes due, well yesterday, my lawyer said he will include them in bk, but they would only be lien on house anyway.

thanks sorry so much, i just dont want to mess up

[TEW]

im leaving the house in perfect shape, who ever gets it will love it.

how long do i have to pay home owners insurance?

im moving out before i file, so i guess i wont tell the mortgage company im leaving til after i file since it will only be a week. im sure there getting the clue as i have missed a few payments. but my lawyer said i dont have to tell them til house is fully vacated, but it will only be vacated for 6 days, do u guys think i should keep power on til i move out or til i tell mortgage company im leaving? or doesnt matter. as of now i have it scheduled to be turned off before i tell mortgage company im leaving.

im not paying my prop taxes due, well yesterday, my lawyer said he will include them in bk, but they would only be lien on house anyway.

thanks sorry so much, i just dont want to mess up

With wells Fargo anyway you get cash for keys after foreclosure.