WINTERIZE YOUR CABIN/VACATION HOME
Winterizing your cabin/vacation home is an important step to make sure that it stays cozy and dry as outdoor temperatures dip.
Failing to winterize your home can result in problems like water leaks, bursting pipes, and structural damage.
These tips are provided to aid you, the homeowner, in winterizing your home/cabin. While no one can guarantee against frozen/broken pipes, it is important that you take steps to prevent that from happening. The purpose of winterizing your cabin/vacation home is to remove water, which can freeze, from within the pipelines and other areas on site.
•1. Winterizing your cabin/vacation home requires you to shut off your home's water supply at the main valve. This water valve is usually located in the basement or laundry room of your home. After this valve has been securely turned off, open (or turn on) all inside faucets-kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, tubs, showers and laundry room basin-all outside faucets, (also, be sure to remove the garden hoses from the outside faucets). Leave faucets open to drain away any lingering water that could freeze and break fixtures later.
•2. The next step is to drain the water heater.
IF YOU OWN AN ELECTRIC WATER HEATER-READ FIRST!
Special precautions must be used in draining and filling an electric hot water heater. Electricity must be turned off before draining or refilling the hot water tank!!!
To drain your hot water heater, simply connect a hose to the drain at the bottom of the heater and allow the water to run into the floor drain. If you do not have a floor drain, extend the hose to the outside of the house. Once the heater has been drained, be sure you close the valve at the base of the heater.
•3. After all the pipes are drained, they should be protected. You can protect "exposed" pipes by wrapping them with insulation or, in cases when the water cannot be totally removed from the pipelines, a heat tape can be used.
•4. The traps in the toilets, all basins, tubs/showers and laundry tubs should be protected from freezing. To protect your toilet, you should first flush it (with water supply turned off)-this will clear the tank of any water. Next sponge out any excess water remaining in the tank. Dip out some of the remaining water in the toilet bowl, and then add a dilution of propylene glycol anti-freeze, as this is non-toxic, in the bowl. DO NOT USE the type of anti-freeze that you put into your car or truck. Also, the reason you leave some water in the toilet bowl is to adequately seal the traps so sewer gas will not enter your home through the drain ways. Also pour the non-toxic anti-freeze into all drains in your home.
These are just a few steps to take to hopefully prevent any nasty and expensive surprises from frozen water pipes. I have also been told by several people, from plumbers to builders, that you should leave the heat on a low setting, anywhere from 55 to 62 degrees (for this area located in the North Georgia Mountains). You can also check with a licensed plumber for more information to safe guard against the chances of frozen pipes.
I have included a few pictures of a cabin where the pipes froze and burst during a really cold spell and the damage was major.
This information is not a guarantee against damage, but just a little FYI to maybe help from having a big headache, like what happened in these pictures.
MAY
24 6PM Classic Cars "Cruise In" Home Depot Parking Lot 706-632-3656
24-25 Arts in the Park City Park-Downtown Blue Ridge 706-632-2144
27 6:30-9PM Blue Mountain Jam Kiwanis Fairground 706-258-2736
29 6PM Pickin' in the Park Horseshoe Bend Park 423-496-4653
30 Movies in the Park Fannin County Park 706-632-7696
30 Comedy/Foreigner 11 Mountain Street 706-632-9223
JUNE
1 Comedy/Foreigner 11 Mountain Street 706-632-9223
1-3 6:30- 9PM Blue Mountain Jam Kiwanis Fairground 706-258-2736
4 6PM Pickin' in the Park Horseshoe Bend Park 423-496-4653
6 Comedy/Foreigner 11 Mountain Street 706-632-9223
7 8PM Kids Fishing Rodeo Lake Winfield Scott-Hwy 180 706-745-6928
7 10th Annual Benefit Auction 420 West Main Street 706-632-2144
10 6:30-9PM Blue Mountain Jam Kiwanis Fairground 706-258-2736
11 6PM Pickin' in the Park Horseshoe Bend Park 423-496-4653
14 6PM Blue Ridge Mtns Story Tellers 497 E. Main Street 706-374-5156
14 7PM Flute & Drum Circle 420 W. Main Street 706-632-2144
this is just a small list of things to do in May and June 2008...so come on out and enjoy the summer in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains.
Few events could have had greater impact in shaping-and reshaping-Blue Ridge Ga than the coming of "the railroad". This "great iron highway" created new markets for the region's products, and brought to it's citizens the products, cultures and ideas of regions far beyond these grand mountains.
It re-arranged where people would live and what they did for a living, and was a primary factor in Blue Ridge's successful campaign to win the seat of campaign to win the seat of county government from the rival town of Morganton.
As the railroad prospered, so did Fannin County. This vision of a railroad throught the mountains of Fannin to tap the mineral treasures of the Copper Basin area goes back well before the War Between the States.
The grade through Fannin County was prepared in 1885, and on January 1, 1886, amid much festivity, the ceremonial first spike was driven in Ellijay and the railroad was surging northward again, to begin the scream of trains to Fannin and the "unexplored regions of North Carolina".
More to come........
I thought since everyone seems to love our wonderful little town located in the N. Georgia Mountains, that I would share a little history. We have seen alot of changes, but one thing still stands-"friendly, caring folks"!
Blue Ridge, Georgia, so named because of the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachian Range, was incorporated by an act of the Georgia Legislature on October 24, 1887.
The founding father was Colonel Michael McKinney. He built the first house in the town and established the first business after the incorporation. He dealt in lumber, real estate, and merchandise.
Colonel McKinney was a moving force in getting the railroad to Blue Ridge. His partner, C.R. Walton, a civil engineer, was superintendent of construction for the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad. He surveyed and laid out the town of Blue Ridge.
The site for Blue Ridge was once a Cherokee Indian stronghold. White settlements date back to about 1832. A post office operated there from 1848. A Methodist Episcopal Church, South,was established in 1877, and the First Baptist Church in 1888.
In many respects, the railroad "built" Blue Ridge. In 1886, the wood-burning engine, "Little Mary," of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad, made it's first appearance in Blue Ridge. Tracks for the railroad had been laid through the efforts of convict labor and sheer determination of men such as Mike McKinney, Legislator Ben Duggar of Fannin County and the engineer, C.R. Walton.
Some facts from Facets Of Fannin, History of Fannin County.
More on the history of our beautiful mountain town coming soon. I love sharing the history of Blue Ridge and knowing that my husband Terry Ledford, a real estate agent himself, is the GG Grandson to the founding father of this great town, Col. Michael McKinney.
Patty Ledford-Realtor
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Specializing in the North Ga Mountains including Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Ellijay, Hiawassee and Jasper. Lake homes, second/vacation homes & permenant homes. Member of the Million Dollar Club.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Golf Tubing
Chattahoochee National Forest Mercier Orchards Boating
Fishing Shopping Horseback Riding
Hiking Relaxing For more info go to www.LedfordProperties.com
A LITTLE HISTORY OF BLUE
Blue Ridge was named after the Blue Ridge Mountains which form a part of the great appalachian system. It came into existence almost immediately following the construction of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad from Marietta to Blue Ridge. Col. Mike McKinney was the founder of the town and constructed the first house in Blue Ridge. Mike McKinney was the GG grandfather of my husband Terry, which he is very proud of.
I am just one part of a team. My husband Terry Ledford and myself are the Ledford Team with EXIT Realty Mountain Properties located in Blue Ridge, Ga. We work together as a team to make sure that our customers get the best service around. We know these mountains well, Terry's GG grandfather (Michael McKinney) is one of the founders of our beautiful town of Blue Ridge and he helped to get the railroad to Blue Ridge as well. His home is still standing in our town. So our roots run deep around these mountains. Customer service is number one with The Ledford Team, so either buying or selling, we can take care of your real estate needs. Two agents are better than one!
Dear Patty:
Number one, you were right on the money in suggesting the sales price for our house. Number two, you were very patient and most pleasant to work with, always had a happy attitude even when things were being hectic in the negotiations.
Most of all, we feel that you went way above and beyond in seeing to the completion of our sale once we had reached a contract, i.e. arranging for the survey and various inspections. Our absence would have made this very difficult for us to accomplish.
All in all, you made us feel very comfortable in a stressful situation and we never had any doubt that you were always looking out for our best interest. We would only use you in any future transactions and would never, ever hesitate to recommend you to anyone.
Thanks for your patience and diligence in selling our property in north Georgia.
Sincerely,
Ken and Sandy-Naples, Fl. September 2005
I had been looking for a place in the N. Ga. Mtns. off and on for over 2 yrs. I had dealt with 5 different realtors that all told me I would "never find what I was looking for" with my budget. I had just about given up looking for my dream cabin, when I got a card in the mail from Patty. She had gotten my name and address as a referral from one of the home booklets that I had ordered. I had gotten many cards from other Realtors, but something about Patty's note just stuck out. She really sounded interested in me and what I wanted, so I gave her a call.
After I told her what I was looking for and the price I could afford, she did not bruch me off like I had been done before. She stated "it may take a while, but we'll find you the right place". After less than 2 months of looking, we found my dream cabin in the Dial area--and I could not be happier!
Patty handled everything for me--I did not even have to go to the closing, we did it all by mail. Not only is Patty Ledford my Realtor, I'm proud to call her and her husband, Terry, my friends. If you are looking for a realtor to find you your "dream cabin" in North Georgia, look no further than Patty.
Kay-Albany, Ga. September 2005
How can I really put into words the great experience I had dealing with Patty ? My wife and I had visited in the Blue Ridge area for almost two years. We fell in love with the area and decided we would like to be able to escape to the area during the year. I found Patty's name in a real estate book and called her one afternoon while grilling on my deck. We "gell-ed" from the beginning and the entire experience was wonderful ! My wife and I came about 4 times and viewed properties with Patty. She has a laid-back style that I really enjoy and appreciate. I work in the financial services and am always judging the customer service I receive. Patty was not pushy! She was responsive and honest with her advice. Patty went above and beyond in several instances to provide us with the information we requested. I would not hesitant to refer any of my friends to her.
Patrick & Pam Crews
Dear Patty:
We just want to thank you for all your help in finding the "perfect" house just for us. You went above and beyond the call of duty for us. You made our buying experience wonderful. Thanks again for everything you have done for us.
Wayne & Jena Crumley-Blue Ridge, Ga.
Thanks Patty....We are really pleased with the whole experience. You made it very enjoyable and pleasant, even when we were nervous. I will keep you in mind for the future. I do miss those fried apple pies. Maybe we'll take a trip up soon...I'll call if we do. Thanks again!
Brian and Christina-Vero Beach, Fl.-
Dear Patty:
Thank you for helping us find our retirement home location. We knew we liked the Ellijay area, but had no idea how to go about finding something. You worked tirelessly for several months as we kept sending you listings we found on the internet in addition to the ones you found. You researched each of them and was ready with an itineray each time we drove up. You and your husband, Terry, drove us around Sunday after Sunday from noon until dark. You never appreared to get tired of our many questions. If you didn't know the answer, you would find out and get back to us in a timely manner. Our visits to look at land were truly fun, even for my teenage son. I really hate that the trips have ended.
Thank you for finding us our dream piece of land. I hope we keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Kathy & William Brown-Grayson, Ga.-
Dear Patty & Terry:
You don't know how grateful we are to you. You have helped us from the start of our moving from Florida to Blue Ridge to the day we closed on our house. With your knowledge, your experience, you found us a very suitable nice home in a great location in a short period of time! Now we are very happy in our new home. Many, many thanks to you both.
We would recommend you to our friends in Florida or to anyone who has real estate needs in the future.
Our best regards amd wishing you both continued sucess in your business.
Sincerely yours,
Ted & Michelle
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