One of the most important aspects of taking care of your lake home is to make sure it survives the winter so that you can return without incident the following spring. So, what’s the best way to prepare the pipes for winter at your lake home?
The degree of protection needed can vary depending on the age of your home and its geographic location. Regardless, the most urgent need is protecting your pipes, so they don’t freeze and rupture. In some homes, pipe prep may require insulation around the pipes in the attic, around outside fixtures, and in crawl spaces.
Secondly, if you have pipes outside of the home such as in your yard for pools, fountains and sprinkler systems, they are going to be vulnerable to freezing. If you plan to be around the home during the freeze, running pumps for the pools or fountains can keep the water moving, so it doesn’t freeze.
Sprinkler systems should have insulation around any plumbing that is exposed. It’s a best practice to drain the water from the plumbing system until spring if you will be out of the house during the winter.
List of Things to do Before the Freeze
- Prepare the pipes for winter by wrapping them with insulation. Specialized insulation can be purchased at any home repair store.
- Insulate outside walls and unheated areas in the attic and crawl spaces.
- Cover vents that are around the house’s foundation.
- Protect outdoor electrical pumps by leaving them running during conditions below zero to keep water moving. If the system is entirely above ground, then it would be wise to drain it.
- If you have a pool, keep the pump running and adjust valves so water can flow freely through the pipes. If your system doesn’t allow you to adjust the valves, then you’ll want to insulate the system.
- For any fountains you have installed, if the pipes are underground, keep them running. If the pipes are all above ground, drain them.
- Drain any supply lines for your sprinkler system that are above ground.
- Cover any pipes in the attic if they are exposed. If you suspect they are not well protected then turn the faucets to drip water to help keep from freezing.
- Caulk and weather-strip windows and doors to cut down on wind drafts
- Storm windows can be installed or use plastic film and cover the windows on the inside.
- Don’t forget to detach the garden hose, and shut the water supply off to the outside faucet. Install faucet covers on any external faucets for protection.
- Turn off the water supply to dishwashers and washing machines if possible.
- Most importantly, remember that unless you drain your house’s entire plumbing system, do not turn the heat off.
- Leave it on with a temperature setting no lower than 55 degrees to ensure your indoor plumbing does not freeze.
- It is also a good idea to have a professional give your heating system a check-up before winter arrives.
- Finally, if you live nearby, it is always a good idea to check in on things, or if you are friends with the neighbors, leave them a key, and ask for a visit as a favor.
For more advice on preparing for winter, take a look at our article, “7 Steps to Prepare Your Home for Winter“.
Many times the basement is reserved purely for storage and keeping things that you don’t want seen- your boxes, old furniture, pictures and keepsakes.
You or your guests will most likely spend at least seven hours per day in the bedroom, probably more. It is one of the things that can turn off anyone who wants to stay for vacation, depending on whether it is well decorated or not maintained properly.
Although it may serve as a vacation house, the kitchen still plays a very important role in making the vacation a better experience. In case the kitchen is old or there are numerous aging or damaged cabinets, consider renovating the kitchen.
This is probably the biggest thing to take into consideration when you’re buying a lake home! If you entertain guests or have frequent visitors, then you may need a guest bedroom.
If you are a collector of rare items or if you are a painter, then you may want a room designated for your hobby. If it is a hobby that can be easily packed away, then you do not have to factor it in.
It is important that you create a basic contract to protect you from bad happenings that can come with renting out your property. It will need to include dates, pricing, and the expectations for the condition of your home upon the renters leaving the property.
Door Facing the Water
It is also important to check the quality of the docks. Make sure that boards aren’t missing or loose and there are no jagged nails.
It is very important to present a good first impression on your open house and therefore you should get to work on docks & decking by replacing broken boards and decks. You should reapply paint on them, and spruce up the surrounding area to make it more presentable for buyers. It is important that you don’t have any broken boards or decks when the buyers come for the open house.
The most important thing to do when preparing for an open house is to stage the waterfront properly. This will raise the appeal of the entire lake house.
Most lake home buyers generally consider the pathway to the water to be important, and therefore you should make preparations in order to make the pathway more attractive and welcoming. This will ensure that you make a good impression on the buyer, who will be more interested in purchasing your home.
Check the Docks and Deck
People who are interested in purchasing lake homes are mainly interested in the type of lifestyle that they can lead if they choose to purchase a lakeside home. You need to help the buyer visualize the type of life they will be leading at your particular lake home, and therefore you should stage the shoreline with fishing equipment, kayaks, fire pits, beach towels, and more.