It's important to make sure your second home at the Lake of the Ozarks is properly protected while you spend the winter away. Not only can the cold weather cause possible damage to your property, but if anything else should go wrong, you'll want to have someone available who can take immediate action to remedy the situation. Here are some things you should have checked in the winter to keep your condo at the Lake of the Ozarks as safe as possible.
#1 - Make sure your pipes are insulated or the water is turned off.
Harsh winter weather can cause condensation and water in pipes to freeze. The problem is that ice expands, causing immense stress on the pipes. This expansion can cause the pipes to burst. Before you leave your condo, double check to make sure your water is either turned off or you have a slow drip into a sink to prevent the water from staying in the pipes and possibly freezing. Insulating your pipes could save your home if the worst should occur.
#2 - Adjust your thermostat for your absence.
Leaving your condo energy efficient in your absence is not as easy as simply turning off the thermostat and walking away for the winter. You'll want to turn the thermostat over to the heat setting, and set it low, around 50°F. This can prevent your home from dropping into freezing temperature, which could lead to property damage.
#3 - Unplug unnecessary appliances from the wall.
Unplug all of your appliances. A report from Springfield, Illinois shows that your fridge consumes anywhere from $7 to $18 monthly. If you're going to be gone for months, this is just wasted energy and money. Additionally, appliances can cause household fires if the power cord is faulty. With no one home, it could be devastating if a fire were to occur.
#4 - Protect your dock slip from ice.
If you've decided to winterize your boat and choose to leave it in the slip, you'll want to take some precautions to ensure your boat is protected from the ice! A de-icer in the water can keep ice from forming around your boat and damaging the hull. Disconnecting batteries from the boat and keeping the cover sealed tight can also help prevent accidental neighbors (pests) from hibernating in your watercraft.
#5 - Hire someone to check on your property.
Several companies around the Lake of the Ozarks offer winter home checking services, all designed to keep your home protected and keep it looking like it isn't empty. You could also make friends with those who stay around your property year round - these neighbors are perfect people to ask to keep an eye on things!
Enjoy your winter away, Isla Del Sol will see you soon!
Winter home checks are an important aspect of owning more than one residence. These checks can be hired out to local companies, friends, or family members. If you are able, you could come by and check on everything once or twice to ensure that everything is exactly as you left it. The last thing anyone wants is to show up at their waterfront condo at the Lake of the Ozarks to find it damaged, flooded, or worse.
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Isla Del Sol.
Harsh winter weather can cause condensation and water in pipes to freeze. The problem is that ice expands, causing immense stress on the pipes. This expansion can cause the pipes to burst. Before you leave your condo, double check to make sure your water is either turned off or you have a slow drip into a sink to prevent the water from staying in the pipes and possibly freezing. Insulating your pipes could save your home if the worst should occur.
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