Article written by LakeHomes.com intern Sarah Wright.
With sweet summertime behind us, winter is fast approaching.
For those lake property owners who will be leaving their homes unoccupied during the off-season, be sure you check off all the items on this checklist before closing up your lake cabin for winter.
Inside:
- Turn off your water heater.
- Throw away all perishables.
- Unplug all of your appliances.
- Check your fireplace—make sure there are no places where animals can find an entry or where cold air can enter.
- Exposed pipes can become frozen pipes, so insulate pipes that are in unheated parts of the house and open cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
- Set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit for both day and night periods.
- Cover your furniture to prevent sun damage.
- Make sure all windows and doors are completely closed.
Outside:
- Outdoor equipment and furniture should be brought indoors.
- Mow the lawn on your last visit during the summertime; after that, winterize the lawnmower.
- Turn off the outside breakers.
- Clean your gutters.
- Seal any outside air leaks.
- Prepare your outside pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting.
- Make sure no limbs are hanging over your house that could potentially fall and damage it.
For more information on prepping your property for the off-season, check out Lake Homes Realty CEO Glenn S. Phillips’ tips for winterizing your lake home.