It’s an unfortunate fact of Log Cabin life that the wilderness gets to be pretty feisty around November. Cold winds blow in, bringing deep snow and nasty frost. Winter rolls across the mountains, and even though we live in the age of cellphone coverage, there are still roads that get closed until next May.
We here at Tru Log understand that the year-round log cabin lifestyle isn’t for everybody. It takes a lot of commitment to withstand the weather and weather the elements for a whole winter season. That’s why we’re offering these handy winterizing tips for our customers– because it’s no fun to come back to a burst pipe or broken window!
Winterize your cabin
One of the most important things to remember, if you’re leaving for the winter, is to empty out all of the water from your pipes. First, shut off the water. Then, empty the pipes. Usually, this is done by finding the lowest faucet in the building–either a garden spigot or a utility spigot–and open it up. Then, the smart cabin-owner goes through and makes sure that all of the other faucets are open to give the system space to air out.
There will still be some water in the pipes, sadly– it’s difficult to get it all out. To address this problem, you can either use compressed air to blow the water out of its hiding places, or add a liquid with a lower freezing point–RV antifreeze, for example, or even vodka–into the plumbing system.
Regardless, make sure your pipes are properly insulated no matter how thorough you’ve been in emptying them. Look for trouble spots, like utility meters and pipes in crawl-spaces. Keep them dry and warm, wrapping insulation around any that run the risk of catching a chill– or a plug of ice that makes them burst!
The interior is done– but what about the outside?
There’s nothing harsher than a Colorado winter. If you’re not staying in your cabin for the duration, it can be tough to keep it in good repair. Wind, rapidly fluctuating temperatures, and a whole boatload of snow can take its toll as much as any burst pipe can, with broken windows, loose shingles, and more. If possible, leave the heat at around 55-60 degrees to keep the building from going through too much, and open any crawlspace vents to allow for temperature fluctuations. Shutter your windows and put a cap on your chimney, and remove all food from the premises to prevent any unwanted furry guests.
And, most importantly, remember to install Tru Log’s Steel Log Siding to protect the bones of your cabin from the elements. Our steel log siding keeps your building safe and sound, all through the winter, so you don’t have to break the bank on repairs every spring!
What are you waiting for? The snow’s coming in! Call Tru Log today for an estimate!
