Owning a lake house gives you a beautiful retreat where you can get away from it all and spend time relaxing or enjoying recreational activities. One important part of ownership is making sure your lake house is properly winterized. Whether you still visit the lake occasionally during colder months or plan to wait until warmer temperatures arrive, you'll need to prepare your home inside and out so it can withstand colder temperatures.

While summer is still in full swing in Northern New England, crisp fall weather is right around the corner, and if you haven't started thinking about how to winterize, now is a great time for a refresher. 
  
Our real estate agents recommend taking these steps when winterizing your lake house so it'll be in great shape when you're ready to visit:

• Protect Your Pipes
  Frozen pipes can cause flooding when they thaw, resulting in a costly mess. If you won't be visiting your lake house until spring, turn the water off at its source and drain the water that's already in the pipes. Even if your water needs to remain on, winterize your outdoor pipes by wrapping them in insulation. If your lake house has a crawl space, make sure the vents are closed and insulated. Drain your water heater and finally, put plumbing antifreeze - not regular antifreeze - down each drain.
  
  
• Remove Food
  Leftover food can attract mice and other creatures big and small, so it should all be removed in the off-season. Even crumbs can attract them, so wipe down your cabinets and counters. If you're unplugging your refrigerator, wipe it down inside and out, and dry it thoroughly, particularly on the inside, so you don't develop a mold issue.
  
  
• Check Your Roof and Gutters
  Check your roof to make sure you don't have any damaged or missing shingles. Also, make sure your gutters aren't blocked or damaged. When water isn't allowed to flow, it can lead to leaks inside your home and make your roof more vulnerable to ice dams. If you find anything wrong, have it repaired as soon as possible so you don't return to your lake house to find a leaky roof or foundation damage.
  
  
• Reduce Possible Fire Hazards
  Unplug your electronics and appliances to reduce your chances of fire due to a lightning strike or power surge. You'll also be protecting the devices, which could be damaged by lightning or when the power comes back on. If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, remove all the ashes from inside and clean these fixtures thoroughly. As a final step, check your smoke detectors to make sure they work as intended and have fresh batteries.
  
  
• Enlist the Help of a Neighbor or Management Company
  Ask a trusted neighbor who lives at the lake year-round to drive by your home occasionally and perhaps even get out and walk around your house to make sure nothing is amiss. If your neighborhood has a management company, you can ask them to make these checks instead. Make sure anyone looking out for your lake home has your off-season contact information so they can reach out in case there's a problem.
  
  
• Check Your HVAC System
  Make sure your heating and air conditioning system is in good working order before winter temperatures hit. Get a professional to make any necessary repairs so you can keep your lake house warm enough to protect your pipes in the winter.
  
  
• Adjust Your Thermostat
  Don't turn your heating off completely since that could make your pipes more likely to freeze. Instead, set your thermostat to 50 to 55 degrees, which should be high enough to help prevent frozen pipes.
  
  
• Install a Chimney Cap
  If your lake house has a chimney, it can serve as an entry point for rain, snow, and debris as well as small animals that can crawl in to make a nest. Install a chimney cap if you don't already have one so you can keep your chimney secure.
  
  
• Get Rid of Dirt and Dust
  Deep clean your lake house before winter starts so when you're ready to enjoy it, you don't have to face a mess. Any stains will be easier to remove before they've set for weeks or months, and a clean home will smell fresher when you return.
  
  
• Put Away Any Unsecured Outdoor Items
  Secure any outdoor items that could become dangerously airborne during a storm.
  
  
• Use Technology To Help You
  Think about investing in a security system that alerts your smartphone if someone breaks in. You can also have a water flow sensor installed to notify you if any pipes with water in them have burst when you're gone. These types of sensors won't prevent a break-in or broken pipe, but they'll let you find out about damage quickly so you can have it fixed as soon as possible. 

Contact us if you're interested in buying a lake house in Northern New England or have other real estate needs. Our company has served the area since 1966, has more than 35 offices throughout the area, and is ready to provide a complete spectrum of services.