Bathrooms can make an immediate impactful statement about the style and decor of your cabin. Use these ideas to design a bathroom tailored specifically to the aesthetics of your log cabin home.
If you plan on renting your cabin over winter, it is imperative that the plumbing stays free from freezing. Use these tips to prepare it for colder conditions.
1. Turn off the water
A cabin bathroom can provide a cozy haven of relaxation when designed to complement nature. Mossy greens and earth tones with rustic details like twig-framed mirrors or acorn-shaped soap dispensers add rustic charm. Rustic hand-carved wooden sink and shower door combos or even an iron shower curtain add finishing touches – and for those living by lakes, adding jetted tubs can make relaxation that much sweeter!
Ventilation is key in any log cabin bathroom. Ventilation not only controls moisture and keeps log walls looking their best, but also helps prevent freezing. A window may do just fine to ventilate a room; for an even greater result consider investing in a venting fan; one will push cold air out while pulling warm air in more efficiently than just windows alone.
Before turning off the water at your house, be sure to drain it completely. Most cottages feature a main shutoff valve with multiple supply lines connected, followed by a “T” with one leg leading directly outside for winter use. Before switching off your main water valve, switch on one faucet at its highest point so it can drain properly.
Close both red and green drain valves that run perpendicular to your pipes so that all excess water drains out of the system and prevents possible freeze damage while your home sits empty in winter.
Next, open all sink and shower drains as well as toilet traps in order to add food-grade antifreeze (pink stuff) into each of them. It would also be wise to make a list so you know exactly which items were opened where and how to close everything back up again come spring time; doing this will save time as well as costly repairs down the line.
2. Drain the system
Log cabins are the dream homes of many, making them an important investment. Therefore, it is crucial to take the necessary steps to prepare these structures for colder climates – particularly water freezing in plumbing lines during the winter season – by draining thoroughly the system and making any necessary repairs as soon as possible.
Step one in winterizing a cabin requires draining all drain plugs on water pumps, hot water tanks and toilet tanks completely before winter arrives. Doing this will prevent pooled water from freezing into pipes that burst during the spring thaw period, blowing compressed air through pipes can also help ensure they’re all drained fully; many cabin owners also pour RV-grade antifreeze into toilet bowls and sink drains to prevent freezing from taking place.
Other methods to protect your pipes against freezing include wrapping them with heat tape and insulating any exposed areas of plumbing, particularly exterior walls and crawl spaces. If these tasks seem too challenging to manage on your own, professional services may offer additional help.
One way to protect your cabin from cold weather is to caulk any trouble spots within its structure, helping seal any gaps that could allow cold air in and cause issues with plumbing and heating systems.
Frozen pipes can be the bane of every log cabin owner’s existence, and it is imperative to take steps in preparation for winter to reduce your risk and ensure a safer, warmer living experience in your log cabin. Cory and his family at Northern Log Care specialize in building and repairing log cabins and can offer more tips to prepare your home for winter.
3. Add antifreeze
Winterizing any property, from vacation log cabins on lakes and waterways to mountain cabins or homes in general, is essential in preparing them for the colder months ahead. Winterization prevents burst pipes, flooding and other costly issues from developing when your cabin sits unoccupied for an extended period. Insulating walls and draining pipes is necessary but also knowing how to winterize cottage plumbing systems is vitally important.
Your log home’s exterior should also be carefully examined, clearing away debris and sealing cracks as necessary. Your chimney should also be examined, and cleaned if necessary to reduce soot and creosote buildup which poses fire risks; make sure the fireplace damper closes securely to avoid heat escaping through the chimney and driving up heating costs; ensure your damper closes completely so as to stop heat escaping through its cracks; consider installing a programmable thermostat that allows you to drop temperatures while you’re away.
If your cabin lacks insulation, add it to the basement or attic as soon as possible, ensuring windows and doors seal securely. Caulking and chinking are effective ways of protecting log homes against moisture intrusion; both measures help prevent moisture infiltration.
Emptying toilet bowls and tanks is another vital step in winterizing a log cabin, along with using RV antifreeze in drain traps to avoid clogs. In addition, exposed pipes in both the attic and crawl space should be insulated for extra insulation protection.
Be wary of returning from vacation only to discover your log cabin in disarray! A frozen pipe can cause extensive water damage that requires you to replace all or part of the plumbing system. By following these simple tips, your treasured cabin can remain undamaged and ready for winter’s chill!
4. Insulate the pipes
Insulated covers are an effective way of protecting pipes from freezing and maintaining an even temperature in an area. You can find insulation at most home improvement stores or online, but before applying it ensure that all exposed pipes are completely dry with no running water through them; this will allow it to work more effectively while also protecting against potential damages from leakage onto cold pipes.
Even without professional plumber assistance available to you, the following steps can still be completed at your cottage or log cabin home. First, ensure the water has been turned off at its main valve in either the basement or crawl space – there should be a wheel valve or handle with which you can turn clockwise to switch off flow of water – to protect pipes from freezing as well as floods and property damage. It is a wise idea to regularly check this area during winter to make sure no flooding or other issues have arisen.
As part of your winter plumbing preparations for your log cabin home, ensure all exposed pipes in the attic and crawlspaces are insulated properly to keep warm temperatures inside the pipes and avoid freezing and burst pipes that could require costly repairs.
To insulate pipes, use a tape measure to assess their length and diameter before purchasing insulation – this will reduce waste while providing enough insulation to wrap snugly around each pipe. After purchasing enough insulation for all your pipes, wrap it securely around each one before fastening tightly with zip ties so air cannot enter and affect their temperature.
With these tips in hand, you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of your log cabin home without fear of frozen and burst pipes this winter. By being proactive about winterizing your plumbing system you can rest easy knowing your home is prepared for colder temperatures ahead. For any further queries or advice on winterizing your log cabin home or cottage contact a local plumber who can suggest effective ways to winterize it.