09/24/2026
🍂Winterizing Your Cottage - Before you close up for the season, take a few minutes to make sure your cottage is ready for the colder weather. Here are some important winterizing tips to help protect your property and avoid potential insurance headaches.
-Turn off the main water supply and completely drain all pipes, toilets, tanks, and water heaters.
-Add RV/marine antifreeze to toilets, drains, and plumbing traps.
-Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and exterior water lines.
-If not draining the system, maintain continuous heat at the minimum temperature required by your insurer.
-Secure windows, doors, and outbuildings, and remove valuables.
-Clean gutters, inspect the roof, and clear debris to reduce winter damage risks.
-Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries.
-Arrange regular property inspections if required by your insurance policy.
Important: Many Ontario cottage insurance policies require proper winterization or regular monitoring of unoccupied properties. Failure to meet policy conditions could affect coverage for frozen pipes, water damage, or other winter-related claims. Review your policy or contact your broker for specific requirements.