8 November 2023
Now that the temperature is slipping downward, it’s time to prepare your lodge for the cold months ahead to avoid any expensive damage.
1. KEEP YOUR LODGE WARM
Try and keep your thermostat at 5*C, at all times, even when you’re not staying in your lodge. This is the best way to prevent damage caused by freezing conditions.
2. TURNING YOUR HEATING OFF?
If you do turn off your heating while the lodge is empty, make sure you turn the water supply off at the stop-cock. Remember, if it gets cold enough, standing water will freeze!
ALSO MAKE SURE YOU DO THE FOLLOWING:
- Drain any residual water from your radiator circuit.
- Protect your power shower by draining the shower bar. This minimizes damage to the internal mechanism.
- Empty your toilet cisterns, pipes and any bowls of standing water; water expands when frozen and may cause damage or cracking. Tie up all water valves and float valves to stop them filling up again.
- Pour plumber’s non-toxic antifreeze into sinks and basins; this will help to protect your pipe-work from freezing weather.
- Ask your park’s maintenance team to check your water supply riser pipe. This is especially important for new lodges, as these pipes can be knocked during siting.
- If your lodge is older then it’s worth checking your service valves to make sure they don’t get stuck open.
- Clear all food from your fridge and freezer, de-frost and then turn it off. If the temperature in the lodge falls below 5*C the fridge thermostat will automatically stop it running.
- Make sure you leave your window trickle vents open as the air-flow will help to keep the lodge at a balanced temperature.
- Drain water from any exterior tap pipes and cover them to protect from hard frosts.
3. GENERAL WINTER MAINTENANCE TIPS
- Clear away leaves, rubbish etc. as wildlife may take shelter under them around your lodge.
- Remove all leaves, twigs, moss etc. from guttering and cut back any plants near drains. You can also buy a removable drain cover to keep it clear.
- Clean all driveways, paths and steps of any moss and leaves to prevent them from becoming slippery and dangerous.
- Disconnect any hosepipes from outside taps, drain the pipes and coil them away until the spring.
If you need help with any of this work then ask your park maintenance team or a local tradesman.
Photograph courtesy of Tallington Lakes
Written by Clara Baillie-Lane