|
Closing Your Home for the Winter
If you head for warmer weather during
the winter months, you'll want to prepare your manufactured
home for your absence. If you complete the list below, you'll
have little to dread when you return in the spring.
- Loosen tie-downs slightly to allow
for frost heaves.
- Check your foundation piers. Make
sure all shims are tight in the blocks.
- Inspect siding to make sure it is
secure. Recaulk where needed.
- Check roof. If needed, replace damaged
shingles or recoat a metal roof.
- Weatherstrip and caulk windows, doors,
vents and openings for water pipes.
- Shut off water at the main. Drain
water lines to prevent freezing. Open the faucets until
dry. Because of flexible plumbing, pockets of water can
be trapped in pipes. Blow out the lines with an air compressor
(which you can rent). When finished, close faucets.
- Flush toilet until empty. Pour RV
antifreeze into the tank and stool, and into all drains
with traps. Dilute antifreeze with water according to directions
on the container. Make sure to use antifreeze that's made
for recreational vehicles - do not use antifreeze made for
automobiles.
- Turn off water heater and drain.
- Unplug refrigerator, thoroughly clean,
and prop open the door.
- Unplug all electrical items, except
lights on timers.
- Turn furnace thermostat to 50 degrees.
It's also important to prepare your
home so would-be burglars don't figure out it's unoccupied.
Please refer to our theft
prevention section for more information.
|
