ISHPEMING TOWNSHIP -- For those who own campgrounds, it's the time of year to start winterizing. It may only be fall, but winter is fast approaching, and the National Weather Service has already recorded multiple low temperatures below freezing in September and October, so winterizing the pipes should be the first thing on your to-do list. Swick Home Services in Marquette can help you drain your pipes and replace the water with antifreeze.
"A pipe that is exposed to below freezing temperatures for a very short period of time freezes and bursts and then causes substantial flood damage. If it does thaw out, even the next day, if it cracks that pipe, it's going to continue to pour water out," said Kevin Roussin, a plumber for Swick Home Services.
If that happens, you'll have more to worry about than cracked pipes, like mold and water damage to walls and floors, but it's not all about the pipes.
"If you have a forced air furnace, that is a newer furnace, it's going to be condensing, so we'll have water inside the furnace. That definitely needs to be winterized," Roussin said.
You'll also want to leave refrigerator doors open and install a support beam to keep the roof from collapsing when the snow gets heavy. Then consider securing your camp. When leaving your camp alone for the winter months, it's a good idea to lock all the doors and cover all the windows to protect and obscure any valuables inside. The Marquette County Sheriff's Department says there is one valuable that should never be left behind.
"A lot of people that own camps or cabins or cottages leave weapons, and we strongly suggest you don't leave weapons in those types of cabins that are left vacant throughout the winter months," said Captain David LeMire of the Marquette County Sheriff's Department.
With colder conditions on the horizon, it's better to winterize your cabin sooner than later.
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