Heading South for the Winter? 17 Smart Ways to Prepare Your Pacific Northwest Home
Practical tips for snowbirds leaving their Seattle-area homes during the colder months.
For many Pacific Northwest homeowners, fall marks the beginning of snowbird season. The days get shorter, the rain returns, and the idea of spending a few months in Arizona, Palm Springs, California, or another sunny destination becomes increasingly appealing.
Before heading south, however, it's worth spending some time preparing your home for an extended absence.
Winter in the greater Seattle area can bring heavy rain, strong winds, freezing temperatures, and occasional snow or ice. Even relatively mild winters can create problems for homes that sit unoccupied for weeks or months.
The good news? Many precautions are simple, inexpensive, and easy to overlook.
Here are 17 practical things to consider before locking the door and heading somewhere warmer.
1. Leave Cabinet Doors Open Beneath Kitchen and Bathroom Sinks
This is one of the simplest winter-preparation tips, yet many homeowners never think about it.
Pipes located beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks—particularly those along exterior walls—may be exposed to colder temperatures than the rest of the house.
Leaving the cabinet doors open allows warmer indoor air to circulate around the plumbing, which may help reduce the risk of frozen pipes during a cold spell.
This is especially useful in older homes or properties with limited insulation around plumbing.
Remember that opening cabinet doors is only an additional precaution. Your home still needs adequate heat, and exposed plumbing may require other freeze-protection measures.
2. Disconnect Garden Hoses and Cover Outdoor Faucets
Outdoor water faucets, also called hose bibs, can be vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
Before leaving:
Disconnect garden hoses.
Drain and store the hoses.
Install insulated outdoor faucet covers where appropriate.
If your home has interior shut-off valves for outdoor faucets, follow the proper winterization procedure.
Check that any freeze-resistant faucets are installed and functioning correctly.
An inexpensive insulated faucet cover is worth considering, but it doesn't replace proper winterization.
3. Keep Your Home Heated
Turning off the heat completely might seem like a way to save money while you're gone, but it can increase the risk of frozen plumbing.
Many homeowners use approximately 55°F as a starting point for an unoccupied home, although the appropriate setting depends on the building, insulation, plumbing locations, and heating system.
Homes with pipes in crawl spaces, garages, or exterior walls may require higher temperatures or additional protection.
Consider installing a smart thermostat that can notify you when indoor temperatures fall below a selected threshold.
Before leaving, have any known heating problems addressed by a qualified HVAC technician.
4. Consider Shutting Off the Main Water Supply
Water leaks can be particularly troublesome when nobody is home to notice them.
A failed supply line, leaking toilet connection, or damaged appliance hose may release water for an extended period before the problem is discovered.
For some homes, shutting off the main water supply is a sensible precaution.
However, this is not appropriate for every property. Certain heating systems, fire sprinklers, or other equipment may require an active water supply.
Ask a licensed plumber whether shutting off the water is appropriate for your home and whether any additional steps are necessary.
One thing to remember: Older shut-off valves sometimes begin leaking when operated, especially if they haven't been used regularly. Consider having the valve checked before relying on it for seasonal shutoffs.
5. Try the Frozen-Water-and-Coin Trick
Here's a clever idea I learned from one of my Home Watch clients.
Before leaving for an extended trip, freeze a cup of water and place a coin on top of the frozen ice.
How to do it:
Fill a freezer-safe container partway with water.
Freeze the water completely.
Place a quarter or another coin on top of the frozen surface.
Return the container to the freezer.
If was a power outage during your absense, you might wonder if your frozen items remained frozen or were dethawed and refrozen when the power came back on.
With this coin trick, if the coin is still at the top of the ice, most likely your contents remained frozen. If the coin is below the top of the ice, it suggests the ice melted at least partially and later refroze. That may indicate the freezer warmed during your absence.
Important food-safety note: This is only a rough indicator—a freezer thermometer or temperature-monitoring device with alerts is more useful. If a power outage occurred, follow USDA food-safety guidance: frozen food that still contains ice crystals or has remained at 40°F or below may generally be safely refrozen or cooked. Discard food when its safety is uncertain, and never rely on taste or smell alone.
It's a clever visual trick, but it should be used as an additional clue rather than a food-safety test.
6. Clean Gutters and Check Drainage
Heavy winter rainfall is a familiar part of life in the Pacific Northwest.
Leaves, pine needles, and other debris can clog gutters and downspouts, causing water to overflow or collect near the foundation.
Before leaving, make sure gutters are clean and downspouts direct water away from the house.
Pay particular attention to homes surrounded by large trees.
Also check exterior drains, driveway drains, and areas where water has collected during previous storms.
7. Inspect the Roof and Nearby Trees
Pacific Northwest windstorms can bring down branches and damage roofs.
Before heading south, look for visible roofing concerns, loose materials, and damaged tree limbs.
If your roof is older or has a history of leaks, consider scheduling an inspection with a qualified roofing professional.
Trees with dead, broken, or overhanging branches may also need attention from a professional arborist.
It's easier to address known issues before leaving than to coordinate repairs from another state.
8. Prepare Your Refrigerator and Freezer
If your refrigerator will remain running, remove food that may spoil before you return.
Check that the refrigerator and freezer doors close securely and that the appliance is functioning normally.
If you plan to turn off the refrigerator, empty it completely, clean and dry the interior, and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for leaving the doors open to prevent odors and mold.
Consider using a refrigerator/freezer temperature monitor that records temperature changes or sends alerts.
9. Remove Food Sources That Attract Mice
Mice and other rodents can enter homes through surprisingly small openings.
Before leaving:
Store dry foods in sealed containers.
Clean crumbs from counters, drawers, and pantry shelves.
Remove pet food.
Empty kitchen trash.
Check around utility pipes and other possible entry points.
Address known rodent activity before departure.
Mice can squeeze through openings approximately ¼ inch wide, so even small gaps deserve attention.
10. Check Every Door and Window
Before leaving, walk through the entire house and check every accessible window and exterior door.
Pay special attention to upstairs windows, sliding doors, basement windows, and garage access doors.
It's surprisingly easy to overlook a window that was opened for ventilation weeks earlier.
Make sure window latches are working properly and that garage doors close completely.
11. Unplug Unnecessary Electronics
Unplug small appliances and electronics that don't need to remain powered while you're away.
Examples include coffee makers, countertop appliances, chargers, and unused entertainment equipment.
Leave essential systems operating, including equipment needed for heating, security, internet connectivity, and remote monitoring.
If you're uncertain whether a device should remain connected, consult its manufacturer's instructions.
12. Arrange Mail and Package Handling
An overflowing mailbox or packages left outside for weeks can create unnecessary problems.
Consider forwarding mail, arranging a USPS mail hold where appropriate, or asking a trusted person to collect deliveries.
Pause recurring shipments and subscriptions if possible.
Also consider what should happen if an unexpected delivery arrives while you're away.
13. Don't Forget About Yard Maintenance
Grass may grow slowly during winter, but outdoor maintenance doesn't stop completely.
Fallen branches, leaves, windblown debris, and drainage problems can still require attention.
If you use a landscaping company, confirm whether winter services will continue.
Make arrangements for trash and recycling containers, and consider how snow or ice will be handled if a winter storm occurs.
14. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Before leaving, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Replace batteries or aging units when needed.
Remember that a conventional alarm may sound inside an empty home without notifying anyone.
If you use connected or professionally monitored devices, verify that notifications and emergency contacts are configured correctly.
15. Consider Notifying Your Homeowners Insurance Agent
Some homeowners insurance policies have special provisions or limitations when a home is vacant or unoccupied for an extended period.
The words vacant and unoccupied may have different definitions under your policy.
Before leaving, consider asking your insurance agent:
Does my policy have restrictions if the house is unoccupied for several months?
Does the length of my absence affect coverage?
Are regular property checks required?
Are there requirements regarding heating or shutting off the water?
Do I need additional coverage?
Should I document visits or maintenance during my absence?
Get important answers or policy changes in writing.
Every insurance policy is different, so your insurance agent or company is the best source for guidance about your specific coverage.
16. Prepare an Emergency Contact List
If something happens while you're away, it's helpful to have important information organized in advance.
Include your preferred contact details, an alternate emergency contact, and contact information for your plumber, electrician, HVAC company, insurance agent, and HOA if applicable.
Also document where the main water shut-off valve, electrical panel, and other important controls are located.
If someone will be checking your home, make sure they know how to reach you and what actions they're authorized to take.
17. Arrange for Someone to Check Your Home Periodically
Even after completing a thorough departure checklist, conditions can change while you're away.
A heating system may stop working, a window may be left unsecured, a storm may damage part of the property, or a plumbing connection may develop a leak.
Having a trusted person periodically check accessible areas of the home can help identify visible concerns sooner.
Agree in advance on what should be checked, how frequently visits should occur, how observations will be communicated, and what should happen if something needs attention.
Also confirm whether your insurance policy specifies any particular inspection requirements.
Quick Snowbird Winter Departure Checklist
Before heading south, review these final reminders:
Open cabinet doors beneath sinks along exterior walls.
Disconnect hoses and protect outdoor faucets.
Set the thermostat appropriately for winter.
Review the main water shut-off arrangement.
Place the frozen-water-and-coin indicator in the freezer.
Clean gutters and check exterior drainage.
Address roof and tree maintenance concerns.
Prepare the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry.
Check all windows and doors.
Unplug unnecessary electronics.
Arrange mail and package handling.
Confirm winter yard maintenance.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Contact your homeowners insurance agent.
Prepare emergency contacts and instructions.
Arrange periodic home checks.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Spending the winter somewhere warm is one of the pleasures of being a snowbird.
Whether you're heading to Arizona, Southern California, Florida, or another sunny destination, preparing your Pacific Northwest home before departure can help reduce unnecessary surprises.
Some of the most useful precautions are also the simplest: opening cabinet doors beneath sinks, protecting outdoor faucets, checking the thermostat, arranging mail handling, and making sure someone can respond if something unexpected happens.
Take the time to prepare your home, understand your insurance requirements, and establish a plan for the months you'll be away.
Then enjoy the sunshine!
Safe travels and warm winter wishes from Seattle Area HomeWatch Services LLC.
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