Is Your Cottage Ready???

WINTER IS COMING…

Summer has ended and the days are getting cooler and you know what that means – it’s almost time to close your seasonal cottage for the winter. Avoid costly surprises when the snow melts with these helpful tips.

1. Clean off your boat before storing it away for
   the season. This could prevent deterioration
   and depreciation.
2. Have your boat professionally winterized if
   possible, which includes getting the engine
   flushed to prevent blockages, fogging the
   motor and having fuel stabilizer added to
   your fuel tanks.
3. A boat can be a desirable winter home for
   small animals. Avoid coming back to an
   unpleasant surprise in the spring by properly
   covering your boat. The best way to do this
   is by using shrink wrap.
4. Don’t let your cottage become a host to a
   family of raccoons, mice or other critters.
   Before you close down your cottage for the
   season, check for any areas where animals
   could possibly get in and block them off.
   Using a chimney cap can help prevent
   animals from entering the cottage through
   the chimney.
5. Drain and shut down your water systems
   before the winter to prevent frozen or
   burst pipes.
6. If you don’t have electrical items that you
   need to run over the winter (like a sump
   pump, outdoor lights or alarm system),
   we recommend turning off the electricity
   at your cottage while you’re gone. At
   a minimum, you should unplug major
   appliances to prevent issues and/or fires.
7. Inspect your roof. Have broken or missing
   shingles replaced before the snow starts
   to fall and ensure your gutters are free of
   debris to avoid potential leaks.
8. Remove any items that could potentially
   catch fire like old papers, chemicals or rags.
9. Adjust the temperature of your cottage.
   If you have a furnace and you want to
   leave it running over the winter, set the
   temperature to a minimum of 10°C to
   prevent frost buildup. If you’re planning to
   turn the heat off entirely for the season,
   ensure you also turn off the gas and empty
   your water pipes to prevent freezing.
10. Don’t forget about it – check on your cottage
    to minimize potential damage.