As winter approaches, the threat of unexpected cold snaps looms large. And for the unprepared, all it takes is a sudden plunge below zero for pipes to burst, power to fail, or a gang of critters to seek warmth in your cottage.
Damage from cold snaps can be expensive and burdensome, not to mention weekend-ruining. To ensure cross-country skiing and ice fishing plans remain unmarred from costly repairs and trips to the hardware store, Mike Holmes and his daughter, Sherry Holmes from Cottage Life’s hit home renovation series, Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy, share their best tips for protecting your cottage during a cold snap.
Why are cottages uniquely impacted by cold snaps?
Mike: Well, simply because a lot of the cottages out there are not houses, they’re cottages. So you’ve got to pay attention to the freezing weather. What are the important things to pay attention to so they don’t fall apart in the winter while you’re not there?
What’s the first thing someone should check after walking into their cottage during a cold snap?
Mike: First, make sure the plumbing lines haven’t burst or cracked. But if you had drained everything ahead of time with a compressor to make sure all water was out—and I mean all water—you would be good. Then make sure there are no critters living in there and that your roof is still intact and the snow has not worked its way inside the cottage.
Is there a way to prevent snow from building up and making its way inside the cottage?
Sherry: Definitely prepare for snow load. It really depends on where your cottage is and if it’s an all-season cottage, because you want to make sure your roof is adequate for the snowfall that you’re going to get. You should know beforehand whether or not you’ll need to come up periodically to clear off your roof.
Cold snaps can cut off power for cottagers due to falling trees, equipment strain, and ice accumulation on power lines. How can people prepare for power outages?
Mike: In today’s world, you can buy yourself a nice backup battery generator, instead of a gas one where the fuel needs to be changed. I just purchased a 3,200-watt solar generator that you put on a 100-watt solar panel, and it will provide power at any time the power goes down inside the cottage. It’s relatively inexpensive compared to trying to run a generator, buying gas, and making sure that the oil is changed and the gas is still good to use.
You said people should check for critters. How do people prevent small animals from getting into the cottage?
Make sure you keep an eye on your roof, your fence, and your soffit (which is the panel underneath the eavestrough). And look for any little hole that critters can get in. When you’re not there, they want to make your cottage their home, and trust me, they will. A mouse can get in a quarter-inch space.
Sherry: Critters are just like us: they want to stay warm too. But they’re definitely a pain in the arse to have around, and no one wants them. So you’ll want to check the entry points of your home as well as your caulking and silicone around the house before the winter season.
Extreme weather and shifting climates are central to season two of Holmes on Homes. Can you give me a sneak peek of the types of renos or upgrades that these pressures call for?
Mike: One house experienced a flash flood that destroyed half the home in 15 minutes. I don’t know how many times I’ve said this to people: never buy a house at the bottom of the hill.Â
Sherry: Their garage is at the base of the hill of their driveway. So it was the perfect point of penetration for water. Unfortunately, these homeowners did not intend to have an indoor pool, but we came in to fix that.
Economic woes are also changing how people live. What role do home renos play in that trend?
Sherry: The economy is changing. We don’t really have empty nesters anymore because kids aren’t moving out; they’re staying home with their parents because they can’t afford to move out, let alone pay for their own groceries. So what’s happening now is more homes are becoming multigenerational, and a lot of renovations are happening in order to accommodate multiple families, which is really smart from an affordability standpoint. However, you have to still do your research and make sure you’re doing these renovations properly.
Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy premieres Tuesday, November 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Cottage Life. Find your channel here. You can also catch an episode in the Cottage Life Booth at this weekend’s Fall Cottage Life Show. Get your tickets here.
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