Because the only surprise you should come home to is a restocked fridge, not a frozen pipe disaster.

Whether you’re headed back to the city for work, school, or just to escape the mountain chill for a bit, leaving your Grand County home in winter isn’t as simple as locking the door and hoping for the best. Snow doesn’t care about your calendar, and cold temps are sneaky little homewreckers if you don’t plan ahead.

So before you jet off, here’s your no-nonsense checklist to winter-proof your home like a pro.

You’re not trying to heat an empty house—but you are trying to prevent frozen pipes.

What to do:

• Set your thermostat no lower than 55°F
• Leave cabinet doors open under sinks (especially on exterior walls)
• If you’re on propane or fuel oil, check your tank level and schedule a top-up

If pipes are going to freeze and burst, they love to do it while you’re not around.

Your move:

• Turn off the main water supply
• Open a few faucets to drain pressure
• Flush toilets once (then let the tanks sit empty)

Bonus tip: If you’re not comfortable doing this, have a pro or home service check it for you. (Ahem—we know a guy.)

Your house doesn’t need to binge Netflix while you’re gone.

Unplug:

• TVs, routers, computers, gaming consoles
• Small kitchen appliances like toasters, coffee makers, etc.
• Bonus: Lower fire risk + lower electric bill

Leave essential things like your fridge and security systems plugged in.

If snow starts stacking up while you’re away, you could come back to a whole new set of problems.

Before you leave:

• Have someone lined up for driveway plowing or snow removal
• Schedule roof snow load checks if you’ll be gone a while
• Confirm gutters and downspouts are clear to prevent ice dams

Because break-ins don’t take snow days.

Checklist:

• Lock all windows and doors (including that weird one in the basement)
• Arm your security system
• Stop mail delivery or ask a neighbor to grab it
• Use timers or smart plugs for a lived-in look with lights

Nobody wants to return to a science experiment.

Do this:

• Eat or toss perishables
• Take out the trash (seriously—don’t forget this)
• Clean out your dishwasher and leave it cracked open

Even with all your prepping, stuff happens. That’s why second homeowners across Grand County count on us for mid-winter peace of mind.

Our Winter Home Check-In includes:

• Heat and pipe monitoring
• Snow load checks
• Leak and damage inspections
• Post-storm
• walk-throughsPhotos + updates sent to you so you’re not guessing from 150 miles away

Bottomline:

Leaving your mountain home for the city doesn’t have to be stressful—if you plan ahead. A little prep now saves you from big headaches later (like the kind that involves mops, insurance, and tears).

Need help with winter home prep or check-ins?

That’s our jam. Give us a shout before your trip and we’ll help you leave with peace of mind.