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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / Time to Winterize
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mick968
Member
# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 21:03
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We have cabin up in Park County Colorado(9600FT elevation) We were up there last weekend. Had a little snow.Temps were in 40-50 during day and 20's night.We get up a lot during summer but maybe once a month during winter.We never totally shut it down.Leave on (52) I did(turn well off) and drain most water out of lines and toilets (didn't blow it out) added anti freeze I guess I'm wondering when and what others do as winter? I guess no such thing as over prep but........I won't be back up until after Thanksgiving temps could be colder by then and then not until right after Xmas (for sure cold then) anyway looking for winterizing rules of thumb
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IMG_0339.JPG


OutdoorFanatic
Member
# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 21:08 - Edited by: OutdoorFanatic
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That aint no cabin, thats a house

MtnDon
Member
# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 21:11 - Edited by: MtnDon
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Drain water heater tank. Blow out the water lines with compressed air. No toilet to worry about. We use waterless traps on sink and shower.

Fridge is empty and off (propane). Make certain propane is off at the supply as we leave nothing on.

PV system is left with the CC on to maintain the FLA batteries but the inverter DC supply breaker is off. Exterior motion activated 12 VDC LED lights left in standby mode.

Shades closed. Doors locked.

OutdoorFanatic
Member
# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 21:27 - Edited by: OutdoorFanatic
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this is a Cabin
Coopdeville
Coopdeville


PatrickH
Member
# Posted: 5 Nov 2015 22:42
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I shut off the well drain the tank and leave the valves open drain the toilet and add antifreeze to the toilet tank and bowl making sure the trap has antifreeze unplug the fridge and remove all the food and cross my fingers

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 00:29
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Nothing that we don't do in the summer. Except, once it snows good I don't need to make sure the electric fence is on when we leave because the bears will be sleeping.

We typically go to the cabin more in the winter than summer. We can range around the area much farther as all the swamps are froze up and the brush buried under snow.

AK Seabee
Member
# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 00:46
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With the exception of the Cardinals flag you have a nice cabin mick.

I am not as far along as others and have no running water at the cabin but in the rv I drain the water tank, blow out the water lines, put antifreeze in the traps, shut off the propane and remove all liquids that can freeze.

In the cabin I secure all loose items in the yard, tarp anything and everything, clean the yard to remove any slip, trip and fall hazards that can get covered and hidden in the snow and remove any liquids that can freeze (no water system yet).

It sounds like you are fairly prepared the only thing I would add for you is an alarm in the event your heating system fails. From the photo it looks like you are on the grid with internet access so an alarm should be a simple install.

beachman
Member
# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 06:14
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I guess you will not be certain until you turn the water on in the spring. Water is the biggest problem. The fact that you leave the heat on (and it stays on) means the cabin should be OK. I would plan for a power outage and drain the cabin areas of water - consider blowing out the pipes. What about the catch drains? If you have antifreeze they should be OK, otherwise open these up and drain out. MtnDon is right on with the propane stuff. We unhook our PV and bring the batteries home. Our PV is near the water and the lake ice is unpredictable. Booze won't freeze but pop and water bottles will. However, booze will keep intruders coming back. Use discretion.

RichInTheUSA
Member
# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 06:27
Reply 


After opening the valves in the cellar to drain water, I also go back into the cabin and open the faucets so that air can enter the supply lines and the water can drain out.

One year I forgot to open the supply line going to the washing machine, which meant that the water didn't actually drain. Yep the pipe burst in the wall.

Im going to put Y valves on the hot & cold, with the washer hoses on one side, and nothing on the other. This way, i can open the sides without the hose on it, and drain away.

One thing.... better remember to close those valves again before turning the water back on!!

mick968
Member
# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 15:32
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thanks on all the responses (we are from St.louis so wife likes to wave her Cardinal freak flag high) me-I could give a sh#%! anyway -I forgot to leave the drain valve open(tank) (I knew there was something) with heat on (52 ish) I did turn hot water heater down (vacation) hopefully be OK....checked extended forecast out there next couple of weeks (30's and teens) I am back out Thanksgiving I'll do a more thorough when I leave after that I don't know when the bears go to sleep out there (had one last month up on deck having fun with our gas grill) good stuff

mick968
Member
# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 15:55
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Snow up on Boreas pass what made me think it was winter!

mick968
Member
# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 17:40
Reply 


Snow

mick968
Member
# Posted: 6 Nov 2015 17:41
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photo kept rotating
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IMG_1389.JPG


Just
Member
# Posted: 7 Nov 2015 22:30
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Tomorrow is the last day at the lake this year . Again this year the place has done its job . A place to enjoy with our children and grand children , to gather and strengthen the friendships made over a lifetime . to bask in sun sand and nature .
Thank you cottage for a great season , hope to see you in the spring ...
sweet dreams
sweet dreams


MtnDon
Member
# Posted: 7 Nov 2015 22:56
Reply 


Don't forget the Hepvo, which can make winterizing simpler as it eliminates the P-trap

sample source

AK Seabee
Member
# Posted: 7 Nov 2015 23:18
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I am jealous of the snow Mick.

We are in between seasons now. Not enough fluffy white stuff for the snow machines and too much snow on the hills for the atv's.

Once we get a couple feet of snow we really get to enjoy the cabin!

Ontario lakeside
Member
# Posted: 7 Nov 2015 23:21 - Edited by: Ontario lakeside
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Much the same for us, drain the water lines and blow out the water heater and pump. drain the water tank and move the rainwater collection away from the tank. Our grey water drain had no trap so its good to go. lock the doors and thats it.

mick968
Member
# Posted: 9 Nov 2015 12:11
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so when you guys are draining and blowing out everything do you still use and go to your cabin during winter (mos.) or not until spring? I still get out to mine as often (at least once a month) during (Nov.-April)

beachman
Member
# Posted: 9 Nov 2015 15:04
Reply 


We sometimes use our place in the winter months - very sparingly if at all. We bring in drinking and washing water which is a pain but worth the effort. The place takes about 5-6 hrs to heat up properly and it gets dark early and light late. No electricity and no road so access is really restricted (skiis) and solar is not hooked back up until the spring. Composting toilet is just a holding tank then. We have a propane stove and lights that seem to work OK - even in severe cold (-25c). It is really a 3-season place

mick968
Member
# Posted: 14 Nov 2015 07:47
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Quoting: MtnDon
# Posted: 7 Nov 2015 22:56
Reply Quote

Don't forget the Hepvo, which can make winterizing simpler as it eliminates the P-trap


Hey Don forgive my ignorance but what is Hepvo and what does it do or installation?



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