Closing Your Lake House for the Winter
If you own a cottage or house on one of Michigan’s many lakes, Labor Day was probably the beginning of your closing duties as summer winds to a close. As you squeeze out a few last weather-permitting weekends, keep the following in mind to keep your home safe all winter.
Keep it Dry
One of the best parts of a house on the water is easy access for boating and swimming. One of the worst parts of a house on the water is easy access to your crawl space when heavy rain or snow cause the water table to rise. There’s no guarantee that winter means everything will freeze or stay frozen, and you want your vacation spot protected when you aren’t there.
If you don’t have a sump pump, now is a great time to get one installed. Fall brings rain with it and many of the lakes are already sitting high after a few crazy storms. A sump pump like our TripleSafe can handle high volumes of water and even has a battery backup in case the power goes out.
Keep it Safe
Check the seals on your home from top to bottom. This means every window, door, and the perimeter of the rim joist in your crawl space. Keeping your home sealed properly prevents water and the accompanying wood rot and mold away and can prevent pipes from freezing in severe cold snaps.
This is the time to consider encapsulation for your crawl space. CleanSpace creates a total seal, protecting your crawl space from the elements and your house from your crawl space. No more coming back in the spring to a family of raccoons living in your bedroom and a funky mold smell throughout the house.
Keep it Forever
It’s easy to put a summer house out of sight, out of mind. After all, can one winter really do that much damage? It can, but think about what 20 winters could do. You make so many great memories on those long summer weekends; don’t you want to pass it down to your kids and grandkids? Keep it in great shape to make sure you can.
Even if you aren’t worried about passing it down through generations, you may want to sell the house someday or even retire to it. Make sure it’s ready for the future by taking action now. Mother Nature can be brutal, but we know how to protect your home from everything she brings.
Call today to schedule a free inspection. You can have the work done over the winter and open up a clean, safe, and dry home this spring.
