There is a lovely moment each October in Murphy, NC when the ridges glow copper and the air smells of woodsmoke. That is my favorite time to winterize a second home. To winterize a mountain house you're not living in, keep the heat on at a low, steady setting, protect the plumbing, top up your fuel, button up the outside, and add a few smart sensors so you can check in from anywhere. Below is my printable checklist to winterize a second home in Murphy, NC, grouped by area, plus a timing table and the local pros to line up.
Key Takeaways
- The American Red Cross advises leaving the heat on at no lower than 55°F when you'll be away in cold weather, set to the same temperature day and night.
- Many homes outside the Town of Murphy limits in Cherokee County run on a private well and septic system, so the well pump belongs on your winter checklist.
- A smart thermostat plus water-leak and temperature sensors let you see your house from anywhere, as long as the home has a reliable internet connection.
- TVA lowers Hiwassee Lake and Lake Chatuge toward winter levels each fall, so lake owners add boat and dock steps to the list.
- Line up a propane supplier, a licensed HVAC company and a caretaker or home watch service before your last fall visit.
What does it take to winterize a second home in Murphy, NC?
I'm Bonnie DuPree, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Town & Country in Murphy and a Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS), and I've helped people own homes in these mountains since 2007. The best part of winterizing is how simple it becomes once you have a system. You set it up once in the fall, and then you get to enjoy peace of mind all winter, with a house that is ready whenever you drive back up US-64 for a snowy weekend by the fire.
Homes here sit at a wide range of elevations, from the river valleys around Murphy and Andrews to ridge-top lots, so I always encourage owners to tailor the list to their own house. If you're starting earlier in the season, my second-home fall prep guide covers the bigger picture of getting an absentee home ready for cooler months.
This page is built to print: use your browser's Print command and hand the list to your caretaker.
What's on my winterizing checklist for inside the house?
Water and plumbing
- Decide with a licensed plumber whether to leave the water on with heat, or shut off the main supply and drain the lines for a long absence.
- On a private well, know where the well pump breaker is and switch it off if you're shutting the water down.
- Set the water heater to vacation mode, or follow your plumber's advice if the system is being drained.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors so warm air reaches the pipes, as the Red Cross suggests.
- Ask your plumber about non-toxic plumbing antifreeze for drain traps and toilets in a fully drained house.
- Disconnect, drain and store garden hoses, and close the inside valves that feed outdoor spigots.
If your home has a private well and septic system, as many homes in unincorporated Cherokee County do, my buyer's primer on well and septic systems for mountain properties explains how those systems work and what routine care looks like.
Heat and thermostat
- Keep the heat on at a low, steady setting. The American Red Cross recommends no lower than 55°F when you'll be away in cold weather, the same temperature day and night.
- Have a licensed HVAC technician service the furnace or heat pump before the colder months.
- Keep interior doors open so heat circulates to every room.
Propane and fuel
- Top up the propane tank or oil before you leave, and ask your supplier about automatic delivery through the winter.
- Have the chimney and any gas logs inspected, and close the fireplace damper after your last fire.
What goes on the list for outside, the lake and monitoring?
Exterior and gutters
- Clean gutters and downspouts after the leaves drop so meltwater flows away from the foundation.
- Trim branches that hang over the roof, and ask a roofer to look over flashing and shingles.
My end-of-summer home maintenance checklist for a mountain home covers gutters, decks and chimneys in more depth if you'd like to get ahead on those.
Doors, windows and critters
- Check weatherstripping and caulk around doors and windows.
- Seal small gaps around pipes and vents, and confirm the chimney has a cap and screen.
- Clear the pantry of open food, bring in bird feeders and secure outdoor trash so wildlife stays outdoors.
- Lock every door and window, and close the garage door if water lines run through it.
Electrical and monitoring
- Install a smart thermostat so you can see and adjust the temperature from your phone.
- Place water-leak sensors under sinks, by the water heater and near the washer.
- Add a temperature sensor that sends an alert if the house cools below your chosen setting.
- Set up exterior cameras on the driveway and entry, and share access with your caretaker.
Smart devices run best on a steady connection, so a smart step is to confirm service options for your address. My guide to internet, power and utilities in Cherokee County, NC is a helpful starting point for sorting that out.
Lake extras
- Have your boat winterized by a marine service and stored for the season.
- Check that dock cables and ramps have room to adjust as TVA lowers the lake toward winter levels.
Fall and winter bring wide, open views across the water, one of my favorite sights on our Lake Hiwassee guide shoreline, where most of the land is Nantahala National Forest. I'll cover docks in more detail in an upcoming post.
When should each winterizing task happen?
Spread the work across October and your last fall visit, and it all feels easy.
| Task | When | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC service | Early October | A tuned system holds a steady temperature all winter |
| Propane or oil top-up | Mid-October | A full tank keeps the heat running between deliveries |
| Gutter cleaning | After the leaves drop | Water flows away from the roof and foundation |
| Smart thermostat and sensors | Two weeks before you leave | Time to test alerts while you're still there |
| Boat and dock steps | As TVA lowers the lake | Gear is stored and the dock adjusts with the water |
| Plumbing plan and water shutoff | Your last fall visit | Pipes are protected before the first hard freeze |
| Caretaker walkthrough | Your last fall visit | Your helper knows the house before winter begins |
I like to suggest a final walkthrough with your caretaker on the last day. Walk the house with this printed list and show where the water shutoff, well pump breaker and thermostat are.
Who should you line up locally before you leave?
The most relaxing winters I see belong to owners who have a small local team in place. Here is who to call, and I always recommend licensed, insured professionals for every service:
- A propane or fuel supplier. Set up automatic or scheduled deliveries and make sure the company has your contact details and gate code.
- A licensed HVAC company. Schedule the fall service and ask about a maintenance plan with winter check-ins.
- A licensed plumber. Decide together how to handle the water, the well pump and the water heater.
- A caretaker or home watch service. Agree on a visit schedule, plus an extra visit after a cold snap or a winter storm.
- A marine service for lake homes. Book boat winterizing and storage early in the fall.
It's also smart to ask your insurance agent what they expect while a home is unoccupied, so your plan matches your policy. Across Murphy, Andrews, Brasstown and Hayesville, my team, The DuPree Real Estate Group, is glad to share the names of pros our clients have used.
How do you enjoy winter visits once the house is set?
This is the payoff. With the checklist done, a winter weekend in Murphy is easy. On the drive in, raise the thermostat from your phone so the house is warm when you pull into the driveway. If the water was shut off, turn it back on and let each faucet run for a moment. Then light the fire and enjoy the long winter views.
Winter is a wonderful season here. Downtown Murphy lights up for the Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade in December. Before you leave again, run the short version of the list: thermostat back to its winter setting, water handled the way your plumber advised, doors locked, sensors online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I winterize a mountain house I'm not living in?
Work through it by area: keep the heat on at a low, steady setting, protect the plumbing, top up propane or other fuel, clean the gutters, seal gaps where critters could get in, and set up a smart thermostat with water-leak and temperature sensors. Then line up a local propane supplier, a licensed HVAC company and a caretaker or home watch service to check on the house while you're away.
What temperature should I leave the heat at in an empty house in winter?
The American Red Cross advises that if you will be away during cold weather, you leave the heat on at a temperature no lower than 55°F and keep the thermostat at the same setting day and night. Your HVAC technician can suggest the right setting for your particular house.
Should I shut off the water in my second home near Murphy for the winter?
Many owners shut off the main water supply and have the lines drained before a long absence, and on a home with a private well that also means switching off the well pump. A licensed plumber is the right person to decide what fits your home's plumbing, heat source and how often you plan to visit.
When should I winterize a second home in Murphy, NC?
Plan it for your last fall visit, before the first hard freeze. October is a comfortable month to walk the house, schedule service calls and test your monitoring devices, so everything is set before colder nights settle into the mountains.
Who can check on my house while I'm away for the winter?
A local caretaker or home watch service can visit on a set schedule and after cold snaps, walking the house, checking the thermostat and confirming the water and heat are working. I'm glad to share the names of local professionals my clients have used.
Your Local Expert
I'm Bonnie DuPree, REALTOR® and founder of The DuPree Real Estate Group at RE/MAX Town & Country. Based in Murphy, NC — the county seat of Cherokee County — I've helped people buy, own and sell mountain and lake homes since 2007. As a Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS), I focus on getaway homes across Murphy, Andrews, Brasstown, Hayesville, Robbinsville, Blairsville, Blue Ridge and Hiawassee. My team follows a "One Thing" model, so each specialist handles one part of your move.
Set it once and enjoy the season
Print this checklist, work through it over a couple of October weekends, and let the house take care of itself while you're away.
If you have questions about your own mountain home or you're thinking about a getaway near Murphy, I'd love to help. Reach out to me directly, or call me at (828) 361-1027.
The DuPree Real Estate Group is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity. Bonnie DuPree, REALTOR® · RE/MAX Town & Country · Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.
Check out this article next
