Review known controls while the floor is dry
Confirm the location of familiar household and fixture shutoffs with the responsible owner or a qualified provider. Label only controls whose purpose is known. Keep a photo that shows the approach as well as the handle. Do not test a seized valve by force. A control that needs service is better discussed before a leak makes access difficult.
Ask about vulnerable areas and installed equipment
Exterior faucets, hose connections, unconditioned spaces, cabinets on outside walls, garages, and seldom-used rooms can deserve a property-specific review. The right action depends on the piping, valves, insulation, and building conditions. Ask for instructions that fit the installation instead of applying a universal draining or heating recipe.
- Hoses and exterior fittings
- Accessible exposed piping
- Unused or cooler rooms
- Appliances and treatment equipment
Plan for absence and interruption
If the home will be unoccupied, discuss temperature, water controls, monitoring, appliance needs, and a contact person with the appropriate provider and insurer where relevant. Do not shut down shared, fire-protection, or specialized systems without authorized guidance. Make sure a trusted person understands the safe response to an alarm or visible leak.
Keep the response simple
A winter record should say where the safe controls are, which areas need attention, what maintenance was completed, and who can answer equipment questions. If flow stops during cold weather, avoid open flame, intense heat, and forced controls. Use the frozen-pipe guide to describe the pattern and watch for water as conditions change.
- Control photos
- Model-specific instructions
- Alarm test dates
- Absence and emergency plan