There is nothing more depressing than feeling the summer season is coming to an end and the winter season will be here before we know it. Whether you close your cottage for the winter or you keep your cottage going all year round, there are a few things you should check for before the weather temperatures change drastically.
Prepare for Winter
Thanksgiving weekend is a time we spend with our families and celebrate by stuffing our stomachs with way too much turkey and delicious turkey stuffing. Thanksgiving weekend also usually means it is the last weekend we spend at the cottage before winter. If you are preparing to close up your cottage for the winter, be sure to prepare your water pipes by limiting the chance of them bursting from extreme temperature changes. You can do this by shutting off your main water valves and drain your pipes. If you keep your cottage open for the winter, you probably already have a system in place to avoid any damage occurring to your water pipes. If not, after draining your pipes completely, be sure to shut your water off and make sure it is off for good until spring time.
Prepare the Exterior
While you do one of your last sweeps around the yard to clean up the fall leaves, be sure to check your roof, eavestroughs, and water drains. With the amount of snow we receive here in Canada, especially in cottage country, you want to make sure your roof is sturdy and won’t suffer any damage from the weight of snow continuously being piled up on the roof of your cottage. Be sure your eavestroughs are completely clear of any and all fallen debris before the snow settles in. While checking your roof, also be sure to check for any cracks or small openings between the roof and foundation of the home. If there are any small openings at all, you run the risk of inviting smaller animals to find warmth within your cottage while you have left it unattended. I don’t think we need to mention the kind of damage they could get up to while you are not there!
Prepare your Septic
Just like at your home, if your cottage has a septic system, which most of them do nowadays, you need to make sure you are having it emptied when needed. Most septic systems need to be cleaned out every 5-8 years, depending on the size of your system. Emptying your septic system on the correct schedule that it needs, will ensure it’s life expectancy will last longer. If you know the time is coming up for your system to be pumped at your cottage, be sure to have it done before winter settles in. It will keep your system going and will prevent any damage that you may be faced to deal with when you come back in the spring to reopen your cottage.
We believe in taking care of you and what’s important to you. Real estate is a smart investment for everyone. It is just as important to take care of your cottage home as you do with your regular home. If you have any questions at all, we want to hear from you. You can fill out our user-friendly form online today!