How to winterize a Lake house you leave for the season
Protect water lines, decide on heat and set up checks before you close a Lake house for the winter.
Before you call
Know where your main water shutoff is, whether the house stays heated, and who will check on it. Ask a plumber what they drain and what they leave alone, and ask a home watch business how often they visit and what they report.
A Lake house that sits empty for weeks is where a small freeze turns into a big water leak. The plan comes down to three decisions: keep heat on or fully drain the house, protect the outdoor and exposed lines, and make sure someone checks on it. Make those decisions before the first hard freeze, which usually comes in late October or early November around the Lake.
Decide: heated or fully drained
If the house stays heated, the Red Cross recommends leaving the heat no lower than 55 degrees when you are away in cold weather. That only works if the power and furnace keep running. If you plan to turn the heat off, the plumbing usually needs to be drained by someone who knows your system, including the water heater and any traps or fixtures that hold water. Don't guess on this one.
- Will the heat stay on, and what happens if the power or furnace goes out?
- Which lines, fixtures and the water heater do you drain, and which do you leave alone?
- Is my water from a public system or a private well, and does that change the shutdown?
Protect the lines most likely to freeze
The pipes that freeze first are outdoor hose bibs, irrigation and pool lines, and pipes in unheated crawl spaces, garages and outside walls. Disconnect hoses, close the inside valve to each outdoor spigot and leave the outside one open to drain. Irrigation lines should be drained or blown out the way the system's installer recommends.
- Do you blow out or drain my irrigation system, and how do you confirm it is clear?
- Are there exposed pipes in the crawl space or garage that need insulation or heat cable?
- Where is the main shutoff, and can it be closed while the house is empty?
Set up someone to check on it
A freeze, a power outage or a small leak can run for days in an empty house. A home watch or property management business can walk the house on a schedule and report what they find. Agree on what they check, how often, and what they do if something is wrong before you leave.
- How often do you visit, and what do you check inside and outside?
- Do I get photos or a written report after each visit?
- Who do you call if you find a leak, no heat or no power?
Common questions
Should I turn my water off when I leave the Lake house for winter?
Closing the main shutoff limits how much water can leak if a pipe breaks. Whether you also drain the lines depends on whether the house stays heated. Ask a plumber who knows your system.
How warm should I keep an empty Lake house?
The Red Cross recommends no lower than 55 degrees when you are away in cold weather. Heat only protects pipes if the power and furnace stay on, so have someone check on the house.
Can Lake Shortlist recommend a home watch business?
No. We list businesses and the questions worth asking. Contact them directly and compare what each one actually checks.
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Sources & editorial notes
- American Red Cross: preventing and thawing frozen pipes
Which pipes freeze most often, outdoor spigot and irrigation steps, and the 55 degree recommendation when away. Checked 2026-10-15.
- NOAA NCEI: U.S. Climate Normals (1991-2020)
Official climate normals, including typical first fall freeze dates. Averages vary year to year.
Checklist questions are our editorial suggestions. This is not a personal-use testimonial, technical design, price quote or finding that any listed business is best. Confirm current requirements and project details directly.
No business paid for inclusion in this guide. Lake Shortlist is operated by Mason Bennett, who also owns Hollerback. Marketing services cannot buy editorial selections. Correction and dispute information.