With fall comes sweater weather, beautifully coloured leaves, cooler temperatures, and for many — time to close the cottage for winter.
Below are some shoreline-friendly tips to keep in mind as you wrap up another cottage season.
Inside Your Cottage
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- If your cottage has a sump pump, make sure it is working properly. It’s always a good idea to have a battery backup or a model that has an alarm to notify you if it stops working.
- Unplug major appliances and any unnecessary electrical devices. You can decide if you should turn off the main power supply. Keep in mind this could turn off your alarm system, sump pump and outdoor lighting.
- Turn down the heating or turn it off, depending on your system and if your pipes are winterized. If you have a furnace, it’s recommended to set the thermostat at around 10°C to prevent the build-up of frost.
- If you have a furnace, replace the filter so it runs more efficiently.
- Clean out the fridge and cupboards. Pack up all food items (even those in a can) so not to attract mice and other animals.
- Defrost and unplug the fridge. Place an opened box of baking soda in the fridge to reduce odours. Leave the door cracked open.
- Drain your water tank. Be sure to turn off the power supply to the water heater first so you don’t damage the heating element.
- Shut off the main water supply and make sure to drain all pipes. Once the water is turned off, turn on all faucets to make sure no water is left in the pipes. Flush the toilet, removing any water in the tank and toilet bowl. Any water left in the pipes could freeze and burst. Also, drain the supply hoses to indoor and outdoor outlets.
Terri-Lee Reid
Terri-Lee Reid is a Freshwater Conservation Researcher at the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF). She leads initiatives in researching, designing and delivering freshwater programs and advocating CWF’s freshwater positions to government, the public and other stakeholders.
