{"id":726,"date":"2026-02-10T10:49:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T09:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/second-home-7-essential-checks-before-closing-the-shutters-for-winter\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T14:44:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T13:44:29","slug":"second-home-7-essential-checks-before-closing-the-shutters-for-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/the-keys-to-private-stewardship\/second-home-7-essential-checks-before-closing-the-shutters-for-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Second home: 7 essential checks before closing the shutters for winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Second home: 7 essential checks before closing the shutters for winter<\/h1>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The keys to private stewardship - 5 min reading<\/em><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every autumn, thousands of second-home owners close up their homes, hoping to return to them intact in the spring. However, it only takes a few weeks of absence for a discreet leak to become a disaster, for an unexpected frost to crack a pipe or for seepage to spoil months of renovation work. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the checklist we systematically apply to our customers - before every closing.<\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Turn off water and drain pipes<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It's the most important gesture - and yet the one most often neglected. In Charente-Maritime and Charente, winters can be mild... until the sudden cold snap in January. A single night at -5\u00b0C is enough to burst an unpurified pipe.  <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Close the general shut-off valve.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open all taps to drain the pipes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bleed the water heater if the house remains unheated.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drain outdoor hoses and retract flexible hoses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our advice:<\/strong> if your home has an underground automatic sprinkler system, call in a professional to blow it out with compressed air. An oversight on this point can cost several thousand euros. <\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Maintain heating in frost protection mode<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Turning off the heating altogether is a common mistake. Keeping the temperature between 7 and 10\u00b0C protects your pipes, furniture, parquet and paintwork from winter damp. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Set your thermostat to frost protection (often symbolized by a snowflake \u2744).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not turn off radiators in unoccupied rooms: the air must continue to circulate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If your system is old, have the boiler checked before you leave. A breakdown while you're away can leave the house unprotected for weeks. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Secure access<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An unoccupied second home is a potential target. Without being alarmist, a few simple precautions are an effective deterrent. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check the condition of all locks, windows and roller shutters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activate your alarm and confirm that remote monitoring is operational.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inform a trusted neighbor - or your concierge - of your absence and the expected duration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unplug unnecessary electrical appliances to reduce the risk of fire.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our advice:<\/strong> leave a spare key with someone you trust on site, or opt for a secure key box system. In an emergency, every minute counts. <\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Preparing the garden and pool<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A garden left to its own devices over the winter can lead to unpleasant surprises in the spring - and a poorly winterized pool can require costly re-watering.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For the garden :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prune shrubs and hedges before the first frost.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take fragile plants and terracotta pots inside.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Store garden furniture or cover it with suitable covers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cut and store garden hoses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For the pool :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Proceed with active or passive winterizing, depending on your installation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lower the water level below the discharge nozzles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protect your pond with a suitable winter cover.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Switch off filtration or switch to winterizing mode according to manufacturer's recommendations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Check roof and exteriors<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Charente winter, with its Atlantic rains and winds, puts a heavy strain on your home's envelope. A quick check-up beforehand can avoid many a setback. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visually inspect the roof for displaced tiles, accumulated moss or loose flashings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clean the gutters and make sure they drain properly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check the condition of window seals and shutters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check that the air vents are not blocked.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Protect the interior from moisture<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A house closed for several months without ventilation can develop mold and stubborn odors, particularly in humid regions like the Charente coast.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Leave cupboards and drawers slightly ajar to allow air to circulate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install moisture absorbers in the most exposed rooms (cellars, bathrooms, laundry rooms).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Elevate furniture if your home is prone to rising damp.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remove sheets and blankets from beds: store them in airtight covers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Regular monitoring<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is often the most overlooked - and most valuable - check. Even with all the precautions in the world, there's no substitute for a human eye on the spot. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Plan regular visits (at least twice a month) to aerate, check and detect any emerging problems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure your home insurance covers homes unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days - some policies have exclusions on this point.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Write down the contact details of your trusted local craftsmen so that you can intervene quickly if necessary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our advice:<\/strong> this is exactly what we do for our Intendance customers. A visit report after each visit, a photo if necessary, and an immediate alert in the event of an anomaly. Whether you're in Paris, Bordeaux or abroad, your home is in good hands.  <\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your closing checklist<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 Water turned off and pipes purged \u2713 Heating in frost-free mode \u2713 Access secured, alarm activated \u2713 Garden trimmed, pool winterized \u2713 Roof and gutters checked \u2713 Moisture absorbers in place \u2713 Regular surveillance organized.<\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Would you rather leave it all to a team you can trust? That's exactly what we do. Discover our Intendance packages or contact us for a free audit of your residence.  <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Second home: 7 essential checks before closing the shutters for winter The keys to private stewardship &#8211; 5 min reading Every autumn, thousands of second-home owners close up their homes, hoping to return to them intact in the spring. However, it only takes a few weeks of absence for a discreet leak to become a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":693,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-keys-to-private-stewardship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=726"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/726\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":727,"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/726\/revisions\/727"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conciergepc.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}