At Mandal Preferred, the Mississippi Gulf Coast L’s favorite real estate brokerage, many of our clients come to us looking to purchase beach condos, waterfront properties, and coastal cottages to live in year-round. However, many of our clients also come to us in search of vacation homes where they can enjoy the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s unbeatable weather and idyllic beaches during the peak season of May through August. In this blog post, we share five tips for winterizing your Gulf Coast house or condo so that you can come back to a vacation home that is in the same state as when you left it.

 If you’re looking to purchase a property on the gorgeous Mississippi Gulf Coast, search our listings now. We represent properties in Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Pass Christian, and other popular Gulf Coast destinations. We look forward to helping you find your own corner of paradise!

Protect Your Pipes

It’s important to prevent frozen pipes during the winter months. Although temperatures here tend to remain moderate to high all year long, we do have the occasional dip below freezing. To prevent frozen pipes, turn off your water supply completely and drain your pipes of all water by opening all faucets and flushing all toilets to empty the water from the tank and bowl. You might also consider having a plumber come and blow compressed air through the pipes to ensure they’re completely drained. If you decide against draining the pipes, keep your thermostat at 55 degrees or higher.

 

Deter Break-Ins

In order to deter any break-ins, make your home appear occupied by installing exterior motion detection lights and put your interior lights on timers to come on at various points during the day. You will also want to double check and activate the alarm system before you leave, secure and lock external doors and all windows, store valuable in a safe or safety deposit box on an off-site location, and remember not to post your vacation or travel plans on social media.  

 

Perform Routine Maintenance

This may involve calling in a few professionals. Have an HVAC technician come to inspect and service your heating system, hire a roofing inspector/gutter cleaner to check and clear out any problem areas, and remove dead trees or overhanging limbs that are close to your home as a preventative measure — this one you may be able to do yourself. If you’re going to keep your electrical service on over the winter, consider having an electrician inspect your panel, wiring, and outlets.

 

Prevent Pests

Winter on the Mississippi Gulf Coast can be rainy, and the increased moisture may attract pests. As preventative measures, clean your beach home thoroughly, particularly the kitchen. Make sure to defrost and unplug any refrigerators or freezers. Before leaving, inspect your home for any openings and wear and tear on weather stripping and insulation of exterior doors and windows to prevent pests from entering. If you have a fireplace, make sure the flue is closed and have your chimney inspected, cleaned, and capped. 

 

Prepare for Emergencies

Hurricanes most often occur during warmer months, but winter weather emergencies are still possible, so make sure to install storm shutters on your home. You may also want to inform a trusted neighbor that your home will be vacant, so that they periodically check in on your property. Give them entry access in case of an emergency. Lastly, be sure to check all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

 

Find Your Dream Vacation Home With Mandal Preferred

While the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a great place to live all year round, we understand that many of our clients may have responsibilities that require them to go elsewhere for the winter. Whether you’re looking for a year round residence or a seasonal beach home, waterfront property, or coastal cottage, Mandal Preferred is here to help. Contact us today to get started.