Winter means it’s time to change the house’s setting and prepare it for the changing season. The weekend is the best time and you should know how to winterize a cabin for the cold months.
It is not time-consuming and challenging at all. Just a little bit of preparation and proper guidance and you are ready to welcome the winter.
How to winterize a cabin?
Below is given a list of what needs to be done to winterize a cabin.
- The priority is to take care of the plumbing to avoid frozen pipes. Frozen pipes are the most common problem which comes along with winter. If we do not take proper care of this, we might end up with a burst pipe. If possible, replace the faucet with a freeze-resistant one, so there are fewer chances of pipe freezing.
- Cut off the water at the main water supply so that no water remains. Also, open the faucets and drain out the last drop of water.
- Make sure you can control the thermostat and maintain the cabin’s temperature. If not, set the thermostat at the lowest but above the freezing level.
- Before leaving, unplug all the appliances so that they are not unneccessarily using electricity.
- Also, winterize the refrigerator to avoid any damage; first, clean the refrigerator and remove any leftover food, clean it with a damp cloth and dry out any water.
- Clean the whole cabin and throw out all the trash and anything which could leave a smell so that you do not leave a stinky house for when you return.
- Close all the doors and windows properly, along with the curtains and blinds. (Closing curtains and blinds help keep whatever heat is in the cabin trapped inside.)
- Remember to turn off the water supply for the toilets, transfer the leftover to the bowl, flush all the water, and pour antifreeze to prevent freezing.
- If your cabin has a water heater, then winterizing the water heater is also essential. You can save energy by turning the temperature to a minimum setting.
- Just like the refrigerator, winterize the dishwasher and washing machine as well. First, clean the machines nicely with a damp cloth. If possible, deep clean the dishwasher and try not to leave any food inside. Once cleaned properly, remove any water left and add antifreeze.
- Remember the outdoor water pipes that need more attention as they are directly exposed to the cold. Disconnect the water connection and remove the faucet. Also, cover the outdoor pipes with plastic or foam covers to prevent them from freezing.
- Winterizing gas-powered tools also are essential such as lawn mowers; once done using them, clean and drain the fluids from them as instructed in the manual.
- Deep cleaning of the whole cabin is also required so that when you move back, you get the cabin in good condition.
- Please do not leave any food in the kitchen. It will promote bacterial growth and add to the odd smell.
- Also, clean the rooftop properly for rain, ice, and snow. Look for any damage on the rooftop, and if there is any hole or anything, fix it immediately. Remove any leaves or anything which can hold the water. Read Also>>
What antifreeze to use for winterization?
When winterizing the cabin or house, it is optional to use antifreeze. Without using antifreeze and some significant adjustments, we can winterize the house. But there is no harm in using any antifreeze as long as it is non-toxic.
Non-toxic antifreeze, which is also used for food, can be used as RV antifreeze. It is recommended for house use.
You can use RV antifreeze by adding it to the water tanks, sinks and tub drains, toilet tanks, bowels, washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
When using any antifreeze, remember that before reusing the item, rinse it with water nicely to get rid of the antifreeze.
Though non-toxic antifreeze is not harmful to health, even a tiny amount is not good to consume. It is best to take precautions.
Conclusion
Summer cabins are good vacation spots. If you plan to spend your winter here as well, it is an excellent idea. But before that, you have to prepare your summer cabin and turn it into a winter cabin. For that, some changes and adjustments need to be made. And if you are planning to shut off the cabin during the winter season, you have to prepare it for the winter so that when you come back, you don’t get into a mess.
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