Before you lock up a Shore house for the season, winterize its appliances: empty and clean the refrigerator, turn off the ice maker and water supplies, drain the washer's hoses, and inspect the dryer vent and outdoor fixtures for salt and storm damage. Then plan a careful restart for spring, when everything gets reconnected.
Time: about 1 to 2 hours · Difficulty: Moderate · You'll need: towels, a bucket, a cooler or bags for food, baking soda, a flashlight, your appliance manuals
Before you start
- •Decide whether the house will be heated over the winter. If the heat goes off, any water left in appliances, valves and lines can freeze and crack parts.
- •Draining the home's plumbing system is plumber work. Book it if the house will be unheated.
- •Unplug each appliance before working on it.
- •If the house took on floodwater at any point, don't power up any appliance that was in the water. Have it inspected first.
Steps
Step 1 — Empty and clean the fridge and freezer
Remove all food, wipe the interior with warm water and a little baking soda, and dry it fully.
Step 2 — Shut down the ice maker and water line
Turn off the ice maker, empty the bin, and close the water supply valve to the fridge.
Step 3 — Unplug and prop the doors
If you're unplugging the fridge, prop the doors open a few inches so mold and odors don't develop over the winter.
Step 4 — Drain the washer
Close both water valves, disconnect the fill hoses, and drain them into a bucket. On a front-loader, also drain the leftover water through the drain pump filter at the bottom front. Some manufacturers' manuals include specific winterizing steps for unheated homes, so follow yours if it has them.
Step 5 — Shut the dishwasher supply
Close the dishwasher's water valve under the sink. Fully draining a dishwasher's internal water usually means disconnecting lines, so leave that to a professional if the home will freeze.
Step 6 — Check the dryer vent outside
Clear lint from the exterior vent hood and make sure the flap closes. Salt air can corrode metal hoods and screws, so note any rust or a flap that sticks.
Step 7 — Wipe down exteriors
Wipe appliance surfaces and handles with a damp cloth to remove salt film, then dry them.
Didn't fix it?
If you find corrosion on vent hoods, leaking valves or damaged hoses while closing up, it's best to have them handled before winter rather than after. For hose wear, see how to replace washing machine fill hoses. In spring, reconnect the water slowly, check every connection for drips, and run empty cycles before regular use.
New Jersey tip
Shore homes in Monmouth and Ocean counties face salt air year-round, plus late-season hurricanes and winter nor'easters. Unplugging appliances before you leave protects them from storm-related power surges, and an empty, dry appliance is in better shape if the area floods. For spring startup checks, our Monmouth County technicians can inspect your appliances.
From Kevin: A common spring problem is a fridge that was shut off with its doors closed and smells awful when the house reopens. Propping the doors open and closing the water valves takes minutes and prevents most of it.
Closing up for the season? Call ProFix NJ at (973) 718-9373.