Prepping your Lakehouse for Winter

Your dock is out of the water or winterized. The days are getting colder and the leaves are almost done falling. You even heard a snippet of a Christmas song in the store the other day!

Before the hecticness of the holidays sets in, you need to get your waterfront home buttoned up tight for the winter. This will help ensure that you don’t have winter problems such as burst pipes or broken gutters — and the water damage that can come along with it.

Check out these top tips for how to prepare your waterfront home for winter.

Clear Out the Gutters

Icicles and ice dams hanging from your gutters might look pretty, especially when the winter sun hits them just right and makes them sparkle. Unfortunately, they can also fall and harm people and pets as well as damage your home.

Blocked gutters lead to pools of water on your roof. If left too long, the water can eventually seep down inside your roof and start causing damage. Not only can the wood rot away, but also it provides the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Having these colonies in your home negatively affects the air quality and can make you sick.

So, clear out the fall leaves and pine needles and keep those gutters clear so the water can flow away from your home as it should.

Weather Proofing

That lake is beautiful, but during the winter the wind coming off of it has a particularly sharp bite to it. To keep out the winter chill, and keep your heating bills at a reasonable level, take some time to redo the weatherstripping around windows and doors.

Sealing up cracks and crevices not only ensures that your home stays snug and warm, but also helps keep out pests who will be looking for a warm place to spend the winter.

Home Security

Even if you don’t have a home security system, you can still discourage break-ins by securely locking all of your windows, doors, and dead-bolts. Motion-sensor exterior lights and a programmable porch light and interior lights are also excellent deterrents. You’ll also want to protect any valuables you leave behind by storing them in a fireproof safe.

If you have year-round neighbors, let them know you’re going to be away and provide them with your contact information so they can alert you if they see anything unusual.

Plumbing & Sprinklers

If you have a sprinkler system, it is imperative to drain the pipes before it gets too cold. If you don’t, you’ll discover a plethora of burst pipes in your yard next spring that will take a lot of time, money, and effort to fix. To ensure you avoid this problem, it is a good idea to call in a professional sprinkler company to handle this task.

You should also disconnect all garden hoses and drain out any water that is left in the exterior faucets. If you don’t have frost-free faucets, you should turn off the exterior shut-off valve inside your home. For extra protection, you can cover your exterior faucets with insulated covers that will help keep them warm through the winter months.

Enjoy your Waterfront Home in Winter

Following these simple tips for preparing your waterfront home for winter will keep your home snug and safe.

Now, as the lake freezes over and the countryside puts on her winter white gown, you can sit inside your cozy little home and enjoy the view without the worry of burst pipes or water leaks