"Winterizing" Pros and Cons

BBS · 06-02-2004, 07:28 AM

This may be the wrong time of year to start this thread ... but then again maybe not since some of you may be dealing with problems now that we'd like to avoid next spring.

Our cottage has hardwood floors and pine panelled walls and ceiling. Normally the heat stays at 50 while we're away during the winter and we've never had a problem but we've been thinking about having it "winterized" next fall and then turning off the heat for the winter to save on energy costs.

Are we risking damage to the woodwork because of the temperature and moisture changes? Anything else that we should consider?

Bear Guy · 06-02-2004, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBS

Anything else that we should consider?

There is the obvious need to drain the entire water system (plumbing and forced hot water heating) in the house. Watch for hidden areas that don't drain such as sink traps. Keep these from freezing by pouring (environmentally friendly?) antifreeze down every sink, as well as into toilet bowls. Remember to add antifreeze to clothes washers too!
In your kitchen cabinets, remove any cans or bottles with significant water content to prevent them from freezing and bursting.

hazelnut · 06-02-2004, 08:31 AM

Just ask any Islander. We do this every year. We have v-groove pine in most of our house. I have seen no wear and tear by the extreme temperatures. The biggest consideration is what the previous poster said, WATER/Liquids. You have to be sure to drain and "winterize" ALL sources and outlets of water. The biggest hidden culprits are those bottles of liquids, cleaners, food items, canned good, etc. etc. The majority of our stuff is hauled off the Island for the winter. We do leave some questionable items behind, shampoos, soaps, olive oil, etc. etc. We put them in a very large plastic bin inside the shower in-case of an "explosion." The soaps are usually a funny consitency come spring time but they still work. What is your water supply? Is it a lake fed system? If it is you have to drain it. Good Luck.

Chris Exley · 06-02-2004, 08:42 AM

We have completely closed our cottage every year since the late 50's. As mentioned by those who already posted, the only issues we have ever had is water related. One year we drained the hot water heater, but forgot to turn it off. We had to replace the elements in the spring. A couple of valves here and there. But no wood problems at all. Go ahead, shut it down.

Bear Islander · 06-02-2004, 01:13 PM

We never had any problems with wood.

The type of antifreeze you want is often called "RV Antifreeze" because it's used in the fresh water systems of recreational vehicles. Available in hardware stores.

Search the house for liquids when you close up. Don't forget paints and spray cans. Last year we missed a can of diet coke and it exploded causing a mess. We put anything in question in the shower as someone mentioned above. Most things make it OK.

Unplug your fridge and prop the doors open to prevent mildew. You can close the fridge if you leave an open can of coffee inside. Drain any icemaker.

06-02-2004, 07:28 AM	#1
BBS Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	"Winterizing" Pros and Cons This may be the wrong time of year to start this thread ... but then again maybe not since some of you may be dealing with problems now that we'd like to avoid next spring. Our cottage has hardwood floors and pine panelled walls and ceiling. Normally the heat stays at 50 while we're away during the winter and we've never had a problem but we've been thinking about having it "winterized" next fall and then turning off the heat for the winter to save on energy costs. Are we risking damage to the woodwork because of the temperature and moisture changes? Anything else that we should consider?

06-02-2004, 08:31 AM	#3
hazelnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,348 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 508 Thanked 462 Times in 162 Posts	Winterizing Just ask any Islander. We do this every year. We have v-groove pine in most of our house. I have seen no wear and tear by the extreme temperatures. The biggest consideration is what the previous poster said, WATER/Liquids. You have to be sure to drain and "winterize" ALL sources and outlets of water. The biggest hidden culprits are those bottles of liquids, cleaners, food items, canned good, etc. etc. The majority of our stuff is hauled off the Island for the winter. We do leave some questionable items behind, shampoos, soaps, olive oil, etc. etc. We put them in a very large plastic bin inside the shower in-case of an "explosion." The soaps are usually a funny consitency come spring time but they still work. What is your water supply? Is it a lake fed system? If it is you have to drain it. Good Luck.

06-02-2004, 08:42 AM	#4
Chris Exley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mirror Lake, NH and Royersford, PA Posts: 134 Thanks: 26 Thanked 15 Times in 7 Posts	40 years and only minor problems We have completely closed our cottage every year since the late 50's. As mentioned by those who already posted, the only issues we have ever had is water related. One year we drained the hot water heater, but forgot to turn it off. We had to replace the elements in the spring. A couple of valves here and there. But no wood problems at all. Go ahead, shut it down.

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06-02-2004, 01:13 PM	#5
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,764 Thanks: 32 Thanked 441 Times in 207 Posts	We never had any problems with wood. The type of antifreeze you want is often called "RV Antifreeze" because it's used in the fresh water systems of recreational vehicles. Available in hardware stores. Search the house for liquids when you close up. Don't forget paints and spray cans. Last year we missed a can of diet coke and it exploded causing a mess. We put anything in question in the shower as someone mentioned above. Most things make it OK. Unplug your fridge and prop the doors open to prevent mildew. You can close the fridge if you leave an open can of coffee inside. Drain any icemaker.