7 tips to prepare your summerhouse for winter

A safe and sound roof is one of the most important summerhouse components that ensures your property isn't damaged during all kinds of weather, especially winter. Therefore, inspecting the roofing felt and shingles and replacing or securing the damaged and loose elements is the first thing you should do as you winterize your summerhouse.

Just like the roof, your windows are also not immune to wear and tear, so check for cracks or gaps around them where water could leak in. Use silicone or wood filler to fill the holes or consider installing new windows in case the frame or glass seem too fragile to withstand wind gusts or heavy snow.

Call a professional handyman if you don't think you can manage these tasks on your own.

If you don't plan on heating your summerhouse in winter, it's essential to turn off the water supply and drain all the pipes and hoses to ensure they don't freeze and crack during the winter. Open all the faucets, flush the toilet until it's dry, and blow out any remaining water from heating pipes and home appliances, like washing machines.

You could also boost the durability of your water pipes by insulating them with heat tape, especially in exposed areas outdoors. For indoor pipes, try to maintain warmer temperatures around them, for example, by opening cabinet doors and letting the light get to them. Electric heating devices won't help here as you don't want to leave them unattended and increase the risk of fire.

Gutter clean-up is an often overlooked but highly important step in preparing your summerhouse for winter. Leaves, twigs, moss, and dirt can easily accumulate during the autumn leading to clogged gutters and a high potential of damaged walls or ceilings due to leaking water.

When you're inspecting the roof, make sure you also clean it and free the gutters from any blockages. You could also cover the gutters with special screens to prevent leaves and other debris from getting in and to ensure optimal snow and rainwater flow during winter.

Nobody likes stale air or musty smells in their homes, which can arise in empty and uninhabited places. To avoid this from happening to your summerhouse during the winter break, make sure you provide space for air circulation by unblocking vents and cutting out any shrubs and branches leaning against the windows or walls.

You could also pay regular visits to your cabin or shed to open the windows and ventilate the entire house. The same goes for heating — if your summerhouse isn't equipped with a heating system, try to come by and heat it up every now and then (but especially in freezing temperatures) to prevent humidity from permeating your furniture and other items.

If your summerhouse has a kitchen, remove all perishable items as you winterize your place. Leaving food behind, be it cereal, vegetables, or snacks, can attract rodents and pests which can cause a lot more damage than a messy kitchen. Rotten food may likewise produce mold.

It's also wise to take out canned or bottled goods that could freeze or blow up in cold weather. Make sure you unplug all appliances and clean the counters and pantry shelves. If you still want to store some non-perishable goods just in case, place them in air-tight containers for extra safety.

As you finish the inside preparation of your summerhouse, don't forget about protecting the furniture, grills, and other items placed outside. Prolonged exposure to cold, rain, and snow can significantly damage them, leading to rust, decay, or cracking.

Try to store all smaller accessories and movable furniture, like chairs or tables, in your summerhouse, nearby shed, or garage. Sturdier items can stay outside but wrap them with waterproof tarps and secure them to help them endure the wintertime or heavier storms.

Safety should always be your number one priority as you leave your summerhouse for winter. If possible, install smoke detectors and check their condition as these devices will help you catch potential hazards early on.

If your summerhouse has a fireplace or wood stove, clean out the chimney to reduce any fire risks. You should also check all the locks and replace the loose or damaged ones.

Overall, it's a good practice to pay your summerhouse a visit every few weeks to make sure everything's alright. But if it's not feasible, you may also ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your property or set up a security camera to monitor your summerhouse remotely. 

Preparing your summerhouse for winter takes time and effort so make sure you start working on it at least a month before winter settles in. Don't rush or skip any of the steps outlined above — a well-protected summerhouse will last for many seasons.

You could also consider getting home insurance for your summer cabin to get an extra layer of safety in case a water pipe bursts, someone breaks in, or your roof gets damaged in a blizzard. We are always by your side and will help cover the damages depending on your insurance type. You can easily submit a claim in the If self-service or mobile app If Mobile Baltics.