We know, we know — just seeing the word “winter” in the title of this post probably makes you cringe. Hey, we don’t want to think about it either!
But whether we like it or not, winter is coming to Sioux Falls and the surrounding area. That means we’ll soon be shutting the doors on our vacation homes for the season. Most of us won’t open those doors again until next spring.
So how do you make sure your summer lake cabin stays safe and well-kept all winter long? Here are our top tips on how to winterize your lake cabin in South Dakota:
Guard Against Fire
Fire and ice: they just don’t mix. Well, fire and anything just don’t mix. Protect your lake cabin from fire hazards by doing the following:
- Turn off electrical power at the main unit
- Shut off power to all heating units
- Unplug all electronics and appliances
- Clean any fireplaces and wood stoves, and get rid of ashes
- Eliminate combustibles (such as paint, turpentine, household cleaners, fuel, and any items that may have been contaminated by them)
- Check smoke detector batteries
Avoid Water Damage
Let’s keep the water on the lake, shall we? Here’s how to prevent water damage from encroaching into your cabin:
- Clean gutters so that rainwater drains away from the house
- Disconnect and drain water from outside hoses, and cover outside faucets with insulation
- Turn off water at the main line, and drain the pressure tank
- Shut off the water supply to your clothes washer and dishwasher
- Flush toilets and dip all water out of the flush tank
- Drain water heaters, water softeners, and basically anything else that contains water
- Consider hiring a professional to winterize your plumbing
Keep It Clean
You don’t want to come back next spring to a cluttered or unkempt cabin. Keep it clean by following these tips:
- Pick up and clean every room in the house, making sure to take care of summer stains so that they don’t set permanently
- Polish appliances and scrub tile floors
- Make any needed repairs (or at least make notes of needed repairs, so you can plan on fixing them right away when you return)
- Remove food, cosmetics, and any liquids that could freeze and combust
- Move all outdoor furniture, grills, and other items inside
Take Other Precautions
Before you lock the door one last time, be sure you’ve covered absolutely everything. Here are a few other precautions to take:
- Protect against pests by closing any openings to the house (including the chimney) and setting mousetraps in strategic locations
- Safeguard against thieves by removing valuables, locking doors and windows, and setting a security system if possible
- Contact the Postal Service and newspaper delivery service to forward your mail
- Ask a neighbor to check on your cabin periodically to ensure all looks well
There you have it: a thorough list of how to prepare your vacation home for winter in South Dakota. If you follow these tips, your cabin will be clean and ready to go when you return next spring (which, let’s face it, can’t come fast enough!).
Want more helpful articles on cleaning and maintaining your home in Sioux Falls? Check out our blog, which is full of great cleaning tips. Here are a few of our favorite posts:
