I'm looking at a house that is bank owned. The listing says it can not be dewinterized. Can someone please tell me what this means?

Just a gues but I would say that it maybe used to be a sesonal home and the zoning has changed so it cannot be turned into one again i.e. cottage style hope this helps a bit

Hello Joleen:

The listing says cannot be dewinterized huh.. This suggests that a home was first winterized to keep the plumbing/heating pipes from freezing (and drain line traps protected from drying out via antifreeze or similar).

Secondly, before home purchase, bank/homeowner is required to DEWINTERIZE home (turn on water, heat, and remove antifreeze from drains, etc.) so home inspection can be performed by licensed/insured home inspector and they can check that all water/drain/heat pipes are in safe/working condition.

In this case, if listing states that home cannot be dewinterized it is suggesting that home is being sold AS IS really!! and they are unclear of any damage that may have or has not occurred...that make sense?
Anyway, that's my take on it... let me know your thoughts... Mark.

If my answer helped, please RATE THIS ANSWER... Thank you.


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I would guess that the bank will not allow the house to be dewinterized, If you dewinterize it and don't buy they will have to winterize it again. It's a cost thing. Means you will not be able to check pipes and other water using things upon inspection. Ask if the bank gives any warranty on things that cannot be checked.

To Mark:
I did not realize the rate would show up on your answer. Are you a plumber in Mass? If so which part? I am on the South Shore. Maybe if you are near by you could help us with this situation if we go further. Thank you for your knowledgeable answer.

Another question...
The house says Freeze damage and can not be dewinterized.
So, that probably answers the dewinterized question. Sorry about that.
But what would freeze damage entail?

Hi Joleen.. I am in Boston area.

That really tells us what is going on here... Most likely some pipes froze and now the house cannot be DEWINTERIZED without repairing these frozen pipes... SO... pipes need to be repaired before anyone can live there.

This means that a plumber will need to enter into the home and one by one find every leak/frozen/burst pipe in the house and fix them before water, heat, or drainage can be up and running. THIS COULD BE VERY VERY EXPENSIVE and may present many headaches across the board for you.

OF COURSE, you won't know until you go to look at property. If the price is just too good to pass up and you still want to proceed... and If this is an auction, you would show up with a plumber by your side to investigate while all the bidders stand around... then decide...

Let me know what you think... Mark