Winterizing a house

I developed this list when shutting down the cabin in Maine.

To prevent pipes from freezing and critters from entering a house, follow these steps

1. Remove exterior screens.
2. Place with storm windows if available.
3. Lock every window and door.
4. Turn off water heater before turning off water. For electric heaters, turn off circuit breaker. For gas, follow specific instructions.
5. Turn off circuit breakers to everything but important lights and security system. If there's a breaker to a water pump, turn it off.
6. Turn off water.
7. Drain water pipes (after water heater is turned off):
   1. Attach hose to drain, and/or bottom of water heater. Lead hose outside or to a drain lower than everything else.
   2. Shut off water supply to house.
   3. Open drain valve attached to hose.
   4. Open all faucets, valves. If you have a single knob for both hot and cold, as in a shower mixing valve or kitchen faucet, set it to the middle position so both hot and cold drain.
   5. Flush all toilets, keeping handle held down while pipes drain.
   6. Wait two minutes or until there's no more flow.
   7. Close all but one valve, leaving one slightly open over a sink to allow air and trace water to expand and contract.
   8. Pour antifreeze in all drain and toilet traps to keep sewer gases trapped.
   9. Turn heating system thermostat to low or off, depending on your decision.