Winter Cottage Care

As daily temperatures continue to drop and the season changes, it’s become time to close your cottage and prepare it for winter. “Winterize” is a term that Canadians know all too well; the act of preparing your property for cold and harsh conditions to come. It’s common for people to feel overwhelmed since winter can creep-up sooner than expected; there’s always a lot to do in a short period of time. Having someone on-call that you trust to take care of your property is no surprise to us. Not only can we install and monitor an advanced security system for your cottage, we can manage your property with meticulous regularly scheduled care and key-holder service—providing you with peace of mind that your cottage is well cared for throughout the winter.

Your cottage should be checked as often as possible during the winter seasons. We realize that it’s not always convenient for cottage owners to check-in on their properties regularly and frankly, most people have no idea what to look for in terms of being proactive against damage so, we’ve gathered some tips to provide you with a check-list of things to consider as the leaves change colour for autumn.

For a cottage to withstand freezing temperatures, ensure that your insulation is intact otherwise you risk your pipes bursting. If you notice that water is taking a long time to drain, you may want to have your pipes flushed. We have a rolodex of trusted contractors, including licensed plumbers, that we can arrange to visit your property, under our close watch.

It’s easy for forget about your HVAC system since it’s out of sight, but regular maintenance is required to avoid surprise breakdowns. Changing air filters, testing for odor and checking for wear and tear are just some of the task that need to be conducted regularly. If your HVAC system is well maintained, you’ll require fewer repairs. Our staff are confident that they can service and maintain your HVAC system to avoid malfunction.

The best way to discover what needs to be done before closing your cottage for the season is to do a thorough clean while checking for damage. If you know that you will not be visiting your cottage until next summer, we recommend that you wrap your outdoor furniture in tarps if you do not have room to keep them indoors. Walk around the parameter of your cottage to see if there is any damage that can be repaired before freezing temperatures arrive; small cracks in the foundation or exterior walls could fill with condensation then freeze and cause exponential damage. When is the last time you had your roof checked? We can do all of these things for you, just give us a call.

It’s important to have the septic tank pumped before the end of the season. If you don’t have it pumped, bacteria will build-up and clog the system and cause additional headache that can be avoided for the next useable season. This could also lead to contaminating your drinking water.

You may have the luxury of having a boathouse conveniently located next to your dock but it’s still a lot of work to get it out of the water, clean it and secure it. Most docks break down into sections so they can be removed from the water and stored. For docks that are too large to dismantle and store, they need to be de-iced during the winter months. Don’t worry, we can take care of the hassle so that you can relax — leave it to the professionals, Avante Security at your service.

Wood-burning fireplaces are what make cottages feel cozy and comfortable, but they require maintenance for safety. Chemicals from the smoke can build-up and emit toxic gases if the air is not vented properly. Wood smoke can contain toxic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein and methane. Not only can fireplaces be hazardous if not cleaned regularly, the chimney of a fireplace is an alluring entrance for various wildlife to try and enter your cottage. No one wants to return to their cottage to discover a diseased animal trapped inside.

These are just a few things that need to be looked into before closing your cottage for the season; the list goes on and on. We realize that the cottage is meant to spend quality time with family and friends, so we’ve tailored our business to accommodate our client’s needs — even the needs they may be unaware of. Our reputation of being the premier full-service property management and security company for the Muskoka community is important to us; let us know how we can help you with your cottage.