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Insurance
Closing Down the Summer Cottage
Winter is almost here, bringing to an end the cottage season for most Ontarians. For many people, this is the time of year to close down and begin the task of winterizing the cottage. Whether you completely shut down your cottage for the entire winter or make the occasional trip during the winter months to check on the condition of your summer lodge, there are a number of things you should keep in mind.
Shut Down the Water
If you don't plan on visiting the cottage during the cold, harsh winter months, you need to shut off and drain all the water from both your water tank and the pipes. Failure to do this could result in freezing of the pipes and their subsequent explosion, which could result in thousands of dollars in damage.
A common practise for many cottagers has been the use of antifreeze in lines to protect plumbing. This was done to ensure that whatever water remained wouldn't burst the pipes or crack the toilets. But antifreeze is a toxic substance and poses a threat to both ground and surface waters - not to mention you and your pets, if ingested. If you've completely drained all of the plumbing fixtures, adding antifreeze is not necessary. Nevertheless, some cottage owners feel more secure knowing that their pipes will be safe and, if you are amongst this group, be sure to use low toxicity antifreeze to minimize potential threats. Of course, you'll need to thoroughly flush your pipes in the spring, before you begin to actively use your water system.
Turn off the Furnace
If you have a forced air heating system, be sure to first check your chimney (or have a qualified professional check it for you) to remove any obstructions, such as nests or dead animals. A furnace operating with an obstructed chimney can be deadly - spreading toxic carbon monoxide gas and potentially poisoning anyone in the house.
If you have a high efficiency furnace, ventilation likely occurs through a small plastic pipe that runs out the side of the house. You'll want to check this pipe for nests as well and be sure to clear all foliage that may have grown around it.
No matter what type of furnace you own, it is always good practise to have a technician conduct a thorough inspection before you shut it down. A cracked heat exchanger in the furnace can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning and you'll want to be sure that everything is in perfect working condition before you open the cottage in the spring.
For those people who leave the heat on during the winter months, remember that baseboard heaters can be quite dangerous and are responsible for many cottage fires across Ontario. That's why fire departments often advise cottagers to turn off their baseboards during the winter months.
Paint Exterior Surfaces
If your cottage has any exterior wood surfaces that are need of painting, be sure to paint them before the temperature dips below the freezing point. If the paint is peeling, this could be a sign of moisture in the wood and you'll need to first remove the moisture from the wood before you begin to paint. This can be accomplished easily by visiting your local building supply store, which usually stocks a number of chemicals that will aid you in accomplishing this task. Be sure to use a good quality exterior latex primer and two or even three coats of an exterior grade acrylic latex paint to give you a finish that should last for several years.
Prepare for Snow
Winter in Ontario Cottage Country usually involves a great deal of snow, and a build-up of snow on your roof can cause serious damage to your cottage. Even a foot of snow on the roof should be shovelled because of the potential build-up of ice. When it rains, the snow will become extremely heavy and could cause leaking. Thus, prepare to shovel your cottage roof at least once every winter.
In preparation for this shovelling, place boxes over roof vents and skylights. This will help prevent damage to these vents when shovelling, or heavy amounts of snow. If you have a removable section of your deck railing, you'll want to remove this as well, which will aid you when shovelling your deck in the winter months.
Burglar-Proofing
Unfortunately, cottages are prime targets of break-ins during the winter, especially if you don't plan on visiting often. Not surprisingly, police say that more thefts occur from cottages during the winter than at any other time of the year. Though burglary can be covered by your cottage insurance policy, theft cannot. In other words, there must be a forcible sign of entry and/or exit in order for your claim to be considered.
If you don't have a friend who can routinely check on your investment, there are companies that specialize in cottage care. These companies can help shovel your driveway and, if you choose to leave your heat on during the winter, can check on your place to ensure that everything is in order.
To help prevent break-ins, you could also board up or completely cover the windows. This prevents passers-by from seeing inside and dissuades temptation. Of course, it is still good practise to take all of your valuables with you, just in case anything unfortunate does occur.
For other items that cannot be transported home with you, take special care to securely lock up anything that can be stolen. Take an inventory of these items and write down the serial numbers where applicable. It is also a good idea to take photographs of both your cottage and the items within, as this may be of great benefit to you during the claims process.
Stop Rodents
Humans aren't the only unwanted intruders against which you'll need to guard. Damage from mice and squirrels is also a concern for many cottage owners. To prevent these undesirable rodents from intruding, inspect both the interior and exterior of the cottage to make sure that there are no openings through which these pests may enter. Remove all sources of food from the cottage as well, which should further discourage these squatters from making your cottage their home during winter.
Chimneys provide another entranceway for many types of critters - including raccoons. Be sure to cover your chimneys tightly to both prevent them from entering and to prevent birds from falling down the chimney while you're away.
Check Your Seals
Before you leave, check all of the weather seals on the exterior doors and windows. You'll want to replace any worn seals or door thresholds, which can easily be purchased at your local hardware store.
Also check for any broken windowpanes or failed seals on thermo-seal units. If you notice any moisture between the two pieces of glass, you will likely need to replace the entire thermo-sealed unit, as this is a good indication that the seal has failed.
Get Ready for Spring
If you're one of the many Ontarians who won't be able to make it back up to the cottage during the winter months, use this last opportunity to take note of everything you need to do when you open the cottage next spring. Creating a checklist (and storing it somewhere safe) can help you keep track of the items you need to purchase and the work that needs to be done next year.
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