How to Clean & Winterize Repossessed Homes
With the mortgage crisis beginning in 2008, many homes were repossessed by banks and other lenders. Cleaning and winterizing the homes to preserve the lenders' investment is a service to the lender and a way to earn money and add to the value of other homes in the area.
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Things You'll Need
- Cleaning supplies, plumber's antifreeze, mothballs, air compressor, garden hose, lawn mower, rake
Instructions
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How to clean and winterize repossessed homes
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1
Remove all debris, personal items, food, clothing, furniture and miscellaneous items left by the former occupant. Mow and hedge clip as needed.
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2
Vacuum and steam clean all carpets, mop hard floors and sanitize bathroom walls and appliances. After everything is dry, apply baking soda. Close dampers on heating units. Cover chimneys or other openings that birds or varmints could use to gain entry.
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3
Clean kitchen shelving, sinks and appliances as you cleaned and sanitized the bathroom items.
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4
Turn off the main water line to the house, then drain the water heater, toilet tanks and any other water lines, such as the line to an automatic ice maker in a refrigerator. Open the outside water spigot and attach a garden hose with an adaptor to your air compressor. Blow out the lines of any trapped water so it won't freeze and rupture pipes.
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5
Pour plumbers antifreeze in sinks, showers, baths, toilets and washing machine drains. Make sure utility services to the house are turned off.
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Tips & Warnings
Battery-powered motion lights can keep would-be burglars from approaching the house.
Alert the local police that the house is vacant.
Moisture, frozen pipes, mold formation and musty smells all work against the worth and salability of a vacant home. Don't skimp or skip any steps listed.
