Don't Forget to Winterize Your Lakefront Property

Owning lakefront property in Hawley, PA, means preparing for each season. While most lake loving home owners wish the arrival of winter could be prolonged, the reality is that it’s almost here. What steps have you taken to get your property ready for the cold weather season? Read on for tips to ensure your lakefront property is properly winterized.

Start with the Outside

Most of the outside tasks are to protect the inside of your home. Inspect the roof and replace loose or broken shingles. A roof that has been leaking is not a pleasant surprise when you come back for weekend visits. Check windows to make sure there aren’t any in need of repair. Cracks in windows is just another way for moisture to get into your home. If you have a sprinkler system, this is the time to blow it out. Leaving water in an underground sprinkler system, even a small amount, can result in frozen PVC pipes. The repair is costly. Finally, don’t leave piles of leaves and garden debris laying around. Rake it up! Forgetting to clear the grass of debris encourages mold growth in the spring.

Prevent Broken Pipes

Frozen pipes are the fear of any homeowner who lives in cold country. If you own Wallenpaupack lakefront property and close your lakefront home for the winter or only visit on weekends, being proactive is critical. If you live in your home year-round, preventing broken pipes is still important. Take steps before temperatures drop to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Disconnecting all outside hoses is one of the easiest tasks. Draining water from systems inside your home is next, especially if you won’t live in the home during the winter months. Drain water from any flexible under sink hoses. Don’t forget to drain water from dishwasher and laundry hoses. You may even consider draining the hot water heater and water softener if you have one. Don’t let the thought of freezing temperatures overwhelm you. Make a list and check off each preventive task as you complete it.

Your Heating System

The way you winterize your heating system depends on whether you live in your home year-round or just visit on an occasional weekend. The biggest concern of most homeowners is energy conservation. If you own Lake Wallenpaupack real estate lakefront, one easy solution is to install a low-heat thermostat. Standard thermostats restrict the temperature to be set no lower than 55 degrees to prevent freezing. Low-heat thermostats allow a 40-degree setting, which results in a significant cost savings. You may need to research your system to determine other winterization techniques.

The key to enjoying your lakefront home for many years to come is scheduling routine seasonal tasks. With winter just weeks away, ensuring winterization is complete before you close your vacation home is essential. Davis R. Chant Realtors is happy to share these simple winterization tips. Remember, we’re here year-round for any of your real estate needs or questions, so give us a call.