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Winterize Your Beach House Now, Thank Yourself in March
Coastal homes take a different kind of winter. Salt air, wind off the water, and long stretches when nobody's inside all stack up against your property from November to April. A morning of winterizing now prevents a five-figure repair in February.
By Brian Beck · Realtor with eXp Realty
The plumbing is the priority
Frozen pipes are the number one winter claim on coastal second homes. If you won't be using the house, have a licensed professional winterize the system or shut off the water at the main, drain the lines, and cover the hose bibs. If you'll visit occasionally, keep the heat at no less than 55 degrees, which is warm enough to keep pipes from freezing, and insulate exposed pipes in crawlspaces and attics. Remove and drain all hoses before the first freeze.
Salt air attacks everything
Salt-laden air corrodes fasteners, decks, and exterior trim. Before winter, wash and seal wooden surfaces, repair any cracked paint so moisture can't get behind it, and replace weatherstripping around doors and windows. It's the single best defense against the moisture and mold that coastal humidity feeds on when a house sits closed up.
Set up a home-watch habit
The most valuable winter tool is a set of eyes. A home-watch service or a trusted local contact checking the property weekly, especially after storms, catches a burst pipe or a downed branch while it's still a fix, not a claim. Take dated photos of the exterior now as your baseline, and make sure your flood and homeowners policies are current before anything happens, not after. My flood insurance guide covers the coastal-specific coverage questions worth asking.
An hour in November beats a contractor in February.
Want a winterization checklist for your exact home?
Every house on the coast is different. Let's talk through your property's pipes, exposures, and the home-watch plan that fits it.