Waterfront property is a great investment, and it’s one of the best ways to give yourself amazing views all year long. Wintertime isn't the best for swimming or boating, so you’ll likely be spending quite a bit of time indoors instead. It's a good idea to make sure your property will be secure and healthy when the spring months defrost everything, so have a look at this great guide to winterizing waterfront property.
What to Consider When Winterizing Waterfront Property
Winter can be hard on your home for so many reasons, and it can often hit waterfront properties a little harder. The colder temperatures that come along with the winter months can freeze water, give you significant snow buildup, and destroy plants if your home isn't winterized correctly. We'll go through your home and let you know where to start so your waterfront property can be ready to withstand the cold winter.
Clear Out Potential Dangers
Your home is likely going to get hit the hardest in your yard and on the exterior of the house. When it comes to winterizing waterfront property, start by clearing out any loose debris and cleaning up any low-hanging branches that might not withstand the heavy snow. These branches could cause serious damage to the nearby structures, so if you need to clear them out, fall is one of the best times to consider it.
Check Your Roof
Your gutters should be cleared out to allow for proper drainage, and you should make sure that there is no major damage to your roof that could get much worse with the heavy snow. If you have shingles go through to make certain none of them look loose enough to be carried away with high winds and for metal roofing, make sure everything is screwed properly in place. Roof damage is one of the most difficult and expensive things to repair if it is left for too long, so if you have a waterfront property that you’re closing up for the winter, make sure you check these things out before you go.
Flush Your Systems
If you have a pond, you should be fine with letting it freeze, but you should still drain any water out of the pumps to make sure it doesn't expand and cause any damage. This also goes for any irrigation systems that you might have outside. You need to properly flush them using an air compressor and close all the valves up to make sure they aren't getting frozen water inside. If you don't know how to do this yourself, contact your local landscaping company to help you get your system ready for winter.
Prep Your Pool
If you have an in-ground or above-ground pool, you’ll need to take a few precautions to keep it safe and prevent any freezing in the wintertime. This will require clearing the lines, adding specific chemicals, cleaning out your filter properly and covering it to prevent debris. If this is your first year winterizing a pool, or you aren't comfortable with all of the steps, contact a local pool expert to come and help you figure out how to winterize your specific pool system, so you know what to do for years to come.
Store Your Summer Toys
Summer is all about lounging around outside and playing in the summer sun, which means there are likely things all over your property that need to be put away. Patio furniture should be dismantled and stored away in an area that won't be too hurt by the elements, and you should make sure to cover up your barbecue. These items can be kept outside if necessary, but if you want them to last longer, put them in a covered garage or a small shed over the wintertime.
Get Your Boat Ready
If you have a dock and a boat, you should consider what the temperature levels are going to be like in the winter. Many people prefer to move their boats out of lakes just in case there happens to be a snap freeze, but you can also use an agitator to keep ice away from your boat. These are also called deicers, and they use bubbles or movement to prevent ice from forming in the area it is placed. These handy little devices are perfect for those looking to winterize waterfront property.
Get Fenced In
If you’re situated in an area that gets excessively blowing snow, then you might want to think about using a snow fence around your home if you are leaving after you have winterized your waterfront property. A large snow drift can cover exhaust pipes, cause foundation damage and damage your yard if they are left undisturbed for a long period of time. A snow fence is a quick and easy way to make sure that the snow drifts don't come too far into your yard.
Check Out Indoors
Now that you have the outdoor areas ready for winter, you should do a quick check indoors to see if there are any major issues. Look for air leaks in windows or doors and check out what the pipes are like. Many older homes have pipes that could freeze and burst, so if you’re leaving the area for a while, consider setting up your taps to have a small drip which allows the water to run, preventing freezing.
Get Your HVAC Checked Out
Your heating is very important, and if you end up with a major issue, your waterfront home can become quite uncomfortable. If you want to keep your home nice and toasty, get your HVAC system checked out in the fall. If there are any major issues, they will be able to get everything sorted out before the colder temperatures really start to hit. Maybe you’re not going to be in the house at all? Consider upgrading your system to a WiFi-enabled unit so that you can control and adjust the temperature from anywhere.
Overall
Keeping your waterfront home safe from winter damage is much easier than you think if you know what needs to be taken care of. These are just a few great tips to make sure that your home is ready to go when springtime comes back. With a bit of preparation, you can keep everything intact, and your waterfront home will stay a fantastic investment piece.
Sal Dimiceli, located in Lake Geneva, WI is a detail oriented REAL ESTATE professional that offers his clients total customer satisfaction whether they are first time homebuyer, or experienced seller/buyer relocating to Lake Geneva. This experienced real estate professional knows the industry and thrives on getting the clients exactly what they are looking for.
