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Winterize Your Lake House with These Tips
As the days get shorter, it's important to make sure your lake house is properly winterized. Closing up your house correctly can protect it from potential problems and make things a lot easier when it's time to open back up in the spring. Our real estate agents understand what's involved in the proper care and maintenance of a lake house – they provide some tips that can help keep your house in tip-top shape, even when you're not around in the winter.
Give Your House a Thorough Cleaning
Giving your lake house a deep cleaning before you pack it up for the season is always a good idea. It can be tough to remove dirt and dust that has been sitting for months. Although you'll have to do some dusting and freshen things up come spring, you'll be glad you won't have to scrub everything from top to bottom. Cleaning out your fridge and cupboards and removing all perishable items helps keep pests at bay. Removing items like paper towels, toilet paper, and other materials mice enjoy nesting in can prevent them from calling your house a home. As you move from room to room, you may also discover things that need to be repaired, so have a pen and paper handy to jot down any jobs you need to take care of before winterizing.
Pay Attention to Fire Hazards
A power surge or lightning strike can start fires and cause serious damage, so it's vital to unplug all electronics and appliances before you leave. If you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace, removing ashes and debris from inside is a must. Take out all flammable items like household cleaners, paint, used rags, aerosols, and other combustibles. Drain the gasoline out of your lawnmower and any other garden tools that use gas. Make sure smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors are stocked with fresh batteries and in good working order. It's also a great time to do any routine maintenance or repairs on your HVAC system.
Winterize Plumbing
Leaking, frozen, or burst pipes can cause serious, costly harm to your home. It's vital to check out your plumbing system and make any repairs that need to be done to prevent leaks and water damage while you're away. Make sure any external pipes are well insulated. Pouring non-toxic antifreeze made especially for RVs down drains and in toilets can also prevent pipes from freezing. To be safe, leave the heat on at about 50 degrees to keep the temperature in your house above freezing throughout the winter.
Check the Roof
A leaky roof can destroy a home, especially if you're not around to notice what's happening. Always check for signs of damage and aging before leaving for the season. If you discover cracked or loose shingles, replace or repair them. Loose or missing screws on a metal roof should also be addressed. A weakened roof can easily collapse under heavy snow, so taking proper care of your roof is necessary when winterizing your lake house.
Talk to Your Neighbors
Ask a friend or neighbor who lives nearby to walk or drive by your house once in a while. Leaving a key with someone you trust can also be helpful in case of an emergency such as flooding, fire, or leaks.
Are you interested in buying or selling a home? Our experienced real estate professionals can help you find Augusta homes for sale and help you realize your dreams. Contact us to learn more today.