Winter is no time to ditch your cottage maintenance. Keep up with these six tasks to avoid problems throughout the cold season.
1) Checking for draughts. A cottage with draughts is an expensive cottage—you’ll save cash on heat by sealing up gaps (by weatherstripping, caulking, or using foam). There are plenty of tricks to locate spots where your cottage is leaking heat; one easy DIY method is to use a simple draught detector on a windy day.
2) Monitoring the roof for icicle buildup, or a blocked vent stack. (Don’t venture up on a ladder if you don’t need to, of course. To inspect the vent stack, you can use the zoom function on your phone’s camera.) Some icicles on the roof may not be a big deal, but if you have more than your neighbours, it could suggest you’re getting ice damming at the eaves. Barring attic insulation and ventilation problems, this can, in some cases, be fixable with a heating cable system.
3) Dusting off baseboard heaters and forced air vents. Fine particles, grit, hair, and pet dander can all interfere with heat flow, and therefore, make your heating systems less efficient. So keep ’em clean!
4) Watching for water damage. Look for stains, mould, bulging drywall, peeling interior paint, and a musty smell. Well, don’t look for the smell. Smell for it.
5) Watching for mice activity. Check under the sink and around other plumbing fixtures, in the attic, and in kitchen drawers. Droppings, or evidence of gnawing, are sure signs.
6) Adding walkway traction (that actually works). We all know that salt isn’t the most eco-friendly de-icing option. It’s also pointless when the temperature is -10℃ or below. At that surface temperature, salt doesn’t melt ice. You’re better off using sand.
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