Eavestroughs and WaterFlow
Over the winter, debris such as leaves and other natural matter can build up, blocking the eavestroughs and inhibiting the flow of water away from your cottage– this may cause water to enter your cottage if not dealt with. Clear any obstructions from the gutter, and if you are able to do so safely, from the entire roof as well. Soil erosion may also have occurred over the off-season. Take a walk around your property to ensure that there are no new pathways for water to flow towards your cottage and that no water is pooling near the foundation or supports.

Natural Debris and Pests
The cold season will have likely left branches, leaves and other debris scattered around your property; this should be cleared away when reopening your cottage. After a particularly stormy winter, you may return to your cottage to find trees that have fallen or appear to be susceptible to falling. If this is the case it may be wise to have an arborist visit your property to inspect and advise you on how to safely remove the tree. Small animals and insects may have taken refuge inside your home while you were away–keep an eye out for signs of unwelcome guests such as droppings, evidence of chewing, or burrows that lead underneath your house. If you continue to observe these signs and common solutions such as traps and pesticides have not yielded any results, call call a local exterminator for professional assistance.

Septic Systems
Though a septic system presents a minimal risk of backing up into your cottage when compared to a municipal system, it is still important to have your system inspected and pumped every 2-3 years. This regular maintenance of your septic systems prevents potential damage to your property and is also critical to reducing the chance of polluting the local ecosystems and impacting the quality of your lake water. For more information on septic systems, visit FOCA’s website.

Fireplaces and Woodstoves
May long weekends in Ontario don’t always feel like summer, and we might have to make use of our woodstove or fireplace to get us through the first few weekends at the cottage. Before you ignite any sparks, ensure that your home is equipped with a full fire extinguisher and fire handing tools, such as pokers and fireproof gloves. Check the stovepipe for any damage such as rust or shifting. Remove all coverings from your stove/ fireplace and check the chimney and flue for blockages. Lighting a small test fire will reveal any additional obstructions in the chimney. Remember that even at the cottage, regular chimney cleanings are a critical safety measure. Visit our Woodstove Safety post to learn more.

Boats
Spring boating requires extra caution as certain hazards, such as floating debris in the water or even ice, if the weather is still on the colder side, may be unexpected obstacles in your path. Be wary of these before you take your boat out, especially if it is relatively early in the season. Perform an inspection on your tanks and fuel lines, and ensure that your craft is supplied with all the necessary safety equipment (see the Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide, page 16). Finally, make sure that you have a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card on your person or in the boat every time you use it.

The Drive
As you prepare for your first weekend away at the cottage, remember that a higher level of patience may be required for the trek. The excitement of ‘getting away’ for the long weekend is often challenged by the considerable traffic jams as thousands of people head to and from their holiday destinations. Plan for longer travel times, pack the car with your belongings beforehand and avoid overloading. Ensure that any roof or trunk racks, as well as the items attached to them, are properly secured. If you are towing a trailer, be aware of your blind spots and test its lights before you leave. Always drive as safely and distraction-free as possible and avoid texting while behind the wheel. On arrival, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy your piece of paradise!

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PREPARING YOUR VEHICLES FOR WINTER

• Winter Tires – Winter tires should be near the top of your list when planning for winter. While all-season tires claim to be capable year-round, the soft rubber composition of winter tires allows for increased contact and therefore traction on the road during the cold of winter. Improved traction means better control and shortened braking distances.
  • If you have Winter Tires for your vehicle, you may qualify for a modest discount from your insurer on the renewal of your policy. Generally, to be eligible for the discount, you must have a set of four tires specifically designed for winter (not all-season) on your vehicle from November to April. We recommend you keep your receipt for the purchase or installation of the tires, if the Insurer requests them. Winter tires usually have a lifespan of about 5 years, so be sure to get your tires inspected or replaced regularly. The average Winter Tire discount is about 2% – 3%. If your vehicle qualifies for this discount, give our office a call or email so that we can apply the discount on renewal.

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR WINTER

• Eavestroughs – Heavy snows can lead to a build-up of debris on your roof and a fast melt can test the drainage of even the most recently updated roofs. Be sure to clear out your eavestroughs of falling leaves and other clutter to minimize any backing up and potential leakage or drainage issues. Some home insurance policies include exclusions for water damage arising from the backing up of eavestroughs, so this maintenance is important. Be sure that all eavestrough drains run away from the foundation of the home as well.
• Heating System – No one wants to come home to a home without heat in the winter. Now is the time for a maintenance check of your furnace or other home heating system. If your furnace is over 20 years old, it is even more important to have the unit inspected annually for the sake of safety and continued operation.
• Fireplaces & Woodstoves – If you have a wood burning unit in your home, be sure to have the chimney inspected and cleaned regularly by a WETT-certified contractor. (www.wettinc.ca lets you search for a local contractor). During the significant power failure in Toronto in the winter of 2013, many homeowners found themselves turning to fireplaces that hadn’t been used or cleaned in years. This is extremely dangerous, as a buildup of residue in the chimney can cause a significant fire hazard. Regular cleaning and maintenance is key!
• Driveways, Walkways & Sidewalks – With the snows of winter comes everyone’s favourite chore – shoveling! Be certain you have the tools necessary to maintain your driveways, walks and any sidewalks you may be responsible for clearing. Slip & fall claims are far more common in the winter, so ensure that your property is properly cleared and salted when necessary.
• Prepare for Power & Service Failures – Recalling the power failures of the past few winters which left homes without power for several days, we have all learned it is best to be prepared in case this coming winter creates another power failure. Be sure that you have enough supplies to last at least 3 days. The Ontario Government has some resources available to help you plan for an emergency, including building a kit and keeping necessary supplies on hand. If your power does fail, pay close attention to your plumbing system. Once the temperature of a home begins to drop, the chance for freezing in pipes skyrockets with a potential for significant water damage when the pipes thaw and rupture. If you suspect your heat will be out for a while, drain your plumbing system completely including all appliances to prevent this freezing damage. Learn more about freezing pipes here.

• Storing Seasonal Vehicles – Your summer cars, motorcycles, ATVs and other recreational vehicles are just about due to be put away for the winter. Conducting the storage maintenance routine specific to your vehicle now can prevent damage during the winter and make bringing the vehicle back out in the spring much easier.

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Resultant damage caused by the freezing of any plumbing, heating, air conditioning systems or other household appliance in your home or cottage can cause serious havoc to you and your family, and often a significant financial impact if it is not insured. It is important therefore to understand that there are steps that should be taken to minimize the potential for loss. While we are all able to prepare for scheduled departures from our home, an unanticipated power outage or equipment failure during our absence will leave the home vulnerable to unexpected freezing temperatures. To prevent water damage resulting from freezing temperatures, if you are considering a trip during the winter months where the home will be unoccupied, we recommend you either:

• Ensure your plumbing system is shut off and the water is drained from all appliances; or
• Arrange for someone to enter and check your home every day while you are away to ensure heat is maintained and no issues are apparent.
• If you have a centrally monitored alarm system for fire/burglary, we also encourage you to consider adding a low temperature alarm sensor as part of the monitored service.

While this is a generalization of an exclusion common across most Insurers, it not identical to every property owner. Be sure to speak with us if you have any questions about this exclusion or the specific coverages of your policy.

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Having the unique property of expanding while freezing, water puts a tremendous amount of pressure on whatever is containing it, including the metal and plastic piping found in your home.

While frozen and burst pipes can occur anywhere, some pipes are more prone to freezing than others due to their location.  Pipes that are located outside or that run against exterior walls that contain little or no insulation are at high risk of freezing during prolonged cold weather as well as those that are located in unheated interior areas of the home such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and under kitchen cabinets.

In order to help mitigate the chance of frozen or burst pipes, here are some helpful tips and tricks that you can try at home:

• Keep your garage doors closed as much as possible
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets in order to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing
• Use rigid foam insulation to close and seal all foundation vents that are near water pipes
• Wrap high-risk pipes with pipe insulation which is widely available at your local hardware store
• When an especially cold spell is expected, let the cold water drip from the faucet farthest from your main water intake valve.  Running even a small amount of water through the pipes helps prevent freezing and can also help you detect a frozen pipe if the flow of water changes (the first sign of a freezing pipe is reduced water flow).
• Make sure to keep your heat on, even when you are not home.  Setting your thermostat no lower than 13°C/55°F helps protect against frozen pipes.

If you happen to find yourself with a frozen pipe, here are some methods to help thaw out the affected area:

• Apply constant heat to the affected area that is closest to the faucet using a good hair dryer or an electric heating pad.  Do not leave the pipe unattended while you attempt to defrost it using one of these tools.
  *Do not use a blowtorch or any other open-flame device to defrost a pipe.
• Keep faucets open.  As you defrost the frozen area and the water begins to melt, it will begin to flow through the pipe helping melt ice in the affected area.
• If you are unable to locate the pipe that is frozen, contact a licensed plumber.

If the worst occurs and a pipe bursts in your home, shut off the water at the main valve, call your plumber, and contact your insurance broker.

In terms of your homeowners insurance coverage, losses during the normal heating season relating to frozen pipes that are located within a heated portion of the dwelling hold insurance protection provided that you have not been away from your premises for more than 96 consecutive hours.  If you are planning on a trip, please be sure to take at least one of the following precautions in order to ensure that your coverage remains in place:

• Shut off the water supply to the home and drain water from all systems and appliances: and/or
• Arrange for a competent person to enter your dwelling daily in order to ensure that heat is being maintained.

We here at Cade hope you (and your home) stay nice and warm during this chilly time!  As always, if you have any questions regarding frozen pipes or the coverages provided by your habitational insurance policy, please feel free to contact us.

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