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READY, SET, CLOSE!
Locking up peace of mind through the off season
Kawartha Lakes Cottager and co-founder of We check It Out Ltd., a vacation property inspection company (www.wecheckitout.ca)
I was at the lake this weekend. There was definitely a nip in the air and that can only mean one thing. The beach sandals season is officially over and fall’s crisp russet-golden days are upon us – with old man winter just around the bend.
For most cottagers, this is a critical time of transition. Some are preparing the cottage for more limited winter usage. Many more are busy “battening down the hatches” to ensure the precious family asset remains safe and sound through to the spring.
Closing the cottage is an emotional time. If done too hastily it can mean a host of nagging worries: Was the boathouse properly secured? Should I have trimmed that big branch overhanging the roof? Even worse than high anxiety, neglectful property winterization can mean some nasty surprises for you and your family next April.
Blizzards – not break ins- are your biggest enemies
Although “Bad Guys” may be your biggest worry, they shouldn’t be. We’ve come to learn that the top three insurance claim categories for seasonal residences in Ontario are, in order: wind/weather, fire and burglary/vandalism.
Most of Ontario lies on North America’s major storm tract. According to Environment Canada, there are more than 100 sever storms each year in Ontario – and an average of 14 tornadoes. Remember last March when 80,000 folks in Southern Ontario lost power due to a huge storm? Or the four weekends in a row when blizzards forced the closure of major highways in the Collingwood area? I certainly do. Of course, we can’t control the weather. But we can minimize our risks, whether we’re closing the cottage for two weeks or sealing up for the entire season.
Make a List and check it twice
As seasoned cottagers, we know the ins and outs of closing the cottage, but having them documented pays dividends. The discipline required to make a list can limit the potential for costly surprises. There are some ideas to get you started:
Closing Time Checklist Must-Do’s
- Check insurance policy. Know what is covered and what is not.
Imagine if your property was damaged and your insurance company refused coverage? It can and does happen – on the grounds that you did not observe policy terms. Many underwriters require weekly or monthly visits to a vacation property in the off season as part of the insurance agreement. Verify what your obligation is for coverage when you are away.
- Leave emergency information by the phone
Create a handy list for visitors and renters renting out this season. Be sure to provide guests with a list of how to contact you, as well as police, ambulance and fire information. Most importantly, provide precisely written directions to the property so that they can direct emergency response personnel if required. Remember that issues with snow load and accessibility can prevent emergency crews from getting in.
- Fortify! Lock the doors; seal the windows ….and beyond.
Make your cottage is impregnable as possible. Protect it from both the elements and unwanted intruders—of the two-legged and four-legged variety. Look at loose shingles, siding, flashing and window seals that will allow moisture to penetrate. Ensure gutters are cleared and consider a fresh coat of paint or water seal to complete the water protection process. Check that door and window locks are functional. And, if you’re gone all winter, be sure to close the chimney flue.
- Shutdown all systems. Attend to heat, water and appliances
Water systems, heating systems and appliances all must be shut down properly. Once you close the municipal valve or shut off the pump, are sure to open all the faucets to relieve the pressure. Purge as much water as possible from the system by using the drain plug on the supply valve, breaking the union closest to the main valve, or by blowing compressed air through the pipes. All water softeners heaters, pressure tanks and flex lines should be also drained of water. Include RV antifreeze in drains and traps – and don’t forget to flush the toilets.
- Get Help. Enlist someone trustworthy to keep an eye on the place
On one hand, many cottage owners tell us they have an informal arrangement with a year-round neighbor. On the other hand, many of those neighbors tell us there’s a limit to how much you should expect. Alarms are great but what happens if they go off? The optimal solution appears to be a combination of trustworthy people and technology.
In that way, whether your winter takes you to Toronto or Tuscany, you’ll know what’s going on at the cottage.
For more excellent information on cottage safety, maintenance and security, please visit:
From Foca, written by Angela Balkan
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