5 Things Not To Forget When Winterizing your Cottage

September 30th, 2014  |  Home Insurance

It is now officially fall. For cottage owners this means it’s time to start thinking about closing the cottage for the season. Winterizing your cottage is something all cottage owners know is part of their duties – Whether you are looking forward to it or not is a completely different conversation!

Your need to winterize will largely depend on how much you plan to use the cottage during the winter. There are lots of people in Ontario that use their cottage year round. They rent it out (See A How To Guide For Renting A Cottage), spend the long weekends at the cottage and some even use it for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. 

Here are some of the most important things NOT to forget when winterizing your cottage this year:

1. Shut off the water: This is perhaps the most important part of winterizing your cottage. Forgetting to turn off the water can lead to many significant issues, especially cracked pipes. It’s essential to get the water out of all fixtures and pipes. If there is water present, it can and will freeze. 
2. Take your food home: Removing food from the cottage, especially food that could attract insects and unwanted wildlife visitors is important. No one wants to show up at the cottage in the spring to see signs of an infestation. Also, make sure you close up all potential access points where animals could try to get into during the winter. 
3. Secure the property: Even though your cottage may be located in a remote area, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to secure your property. It’s recommended that you cover the windows to prevent people from seeing inside. It’s also a good idea to take home anything valuable that could attractive thieves. Lock up all garages, sheds, boats, and other equipment. Do a final walk around before leaving to ensure everything is secure. 
4. Arrange for winter snow removal: Depending on where your cottage is located you could find your cottage buried in snow. This is why it’s essential to hire a company for winter snow removal at your cottage whether you are using it or not. These companies will not only plow your driveway, they will also remove snow and ice from the roof of the cottage, reducing the strain on your cottage from the weight of the snow. 
5. Adjust your insurance for your cottage: Talk with your insurance broker about your cottage insurance coverage for your cottage during the winter. You may have insurance options that provide ideal coverage and can save you money on your policy.

Keep in mind that every cottage is different and there may be specific tasks that need to be completed. Consider keeping a checklist that outlines all of the cottage winterization steps. This will ensure you don’t forget anything and you could even have other family members do it for you if you are not available to do it. 

Do you use your cottage during the winter?  What time of the year do you winterize your cottage? What do you think is the best advice for winterizing your cottage?