Preparing your summer house for winter

Maintenance and repair work on your summer cottage provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy working together with family and friends. However, it is important to remember that in some maintenance and repair tasks it is recommended and sometimes even necessary to seek the help of professionals.

24 Center is here to help you if something comes up during the winterization of your cabin where your own skills or repair tools are not enough. Remember that you can also turn to us when you are not quite sure how to handle a technical challenge that has arisen. In sudden and unexpected situations, 24 Center is just a phone call away.

We have put together a 6-point checklist to help you when preparing your summer cottage for winter rest.

1. clean the gutters

It is good to clean the gutters surrounding the cottage twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, and especially in the fall before the autumn rains come. Cleaning is easy to do either by hand or with an extended brush. Finally, you can spray with a garden hose or pour water into the gutter to detect any blockages in the downpipes. If the water cannot flow freely and in a controlled manner, it can cause moisture damage to the structures of the house. Also remember to check the gutters' fixings and joints.

2. go through electrical appliances

Go through all electrical appliances and their condition, and thoroughly wipe the dust off them. Also, don't forget to clean the areas behind the refrigerator and oven, as a surprising amount of dust accumulates there, which can shorten the life of the appliances. If you discover defective electrical appliances, it is recommended to take them to a professional for repair, as broken electrical appliances can be a fire hazard. 

Before leaving the cabin, turn off all electrical appliances and make sure all lights are off. Also consider disconnecting the power from the main switch to prevent any electrical problems or fire risk. However, it is important to take into account the heating method of the cabin in this context.

3. ensure the sealing of windows and doors, also consider the need for maintenance heating.

Check that windows and doors are tightly closed. This will prevent cold air, moisture and snow from entering the cabin. Depending on the cabin's building materials, water pipes and their location, and the equipment stored in the cabin, it may be possible to leave the cabin cold during the winter. Or it may be beneficial to keep maintenance heating.

A traditional log cabin usually does not need separate maintenance heating. However, insulated cabins may require a small amount of maintenance heating to prevent moisture accumulation and mold growth. In any case, whether your cabin is a traditional log building or a more modern insulated cabin, a small amount of maintenance heating can help counteract moisture accumulation during hard frosts.

4. Clean and empty the water pipes

Carry out cleaning of water traps and floor drains to prevent bad odors. Also remember to turn off the water connection and empty the pipes of water to prevent damage to the pipes when the water freezes in cold weather.

5. Do not attract rodents

Colder weather causes small rodents and other forest animals to seek shelter. Empty kitchen cupboards of anything that can be chewed, including oatmeal and other dry goods. Dry goods can also be stored in airtight jars, such as glass jars.

6. Prevent cottage break-ins and check if locks are adequate

Remove anything valuable and financially significant from the cabin. Also, do not leave alcohol visible so as not to attract possible intruders.

What type of locking system do you have in your cottage? A traditional manual lock can be easy to break. Electronic locking provides extra protection, and electronic locking apps allow you to receive notifications about unwanted visitors.

An electronic locking system can also offer many advantages if you rent out the cottage for example for autumn hikers who want to enjoy the colors of autumn.