Getting Your Michigan Lake Home Ready for Fall and Winter

Fall on a Michigan lake is hard to beat. The changing leaves, cool mornings and quieter water make this one of the most beautiful times of year to enjoy your lake home.

But we also know what comes next.

Michigan winters can be tough on any home, and waterfront properties often have a few extra things to think about. Whether your lake house is your year-round home, a weekend getaway or a seasonal cottage, a little preparation now can help protect your property through the colder months.

Take Care of the Dock, Lift and Waterfront Equipment

If your dock or boat lift comes out for the winter, don't wait too long to schedule it. Michigan weather can change quickly, and removing equipment is much easier before freezing temperatures arrive.

This is also a good time to inspect your dock, lift and shoreline equipment for damage. Making a note of needed repairs now can save you from discovering problems when you're ready to put everything back in the water next spring.

Store life jackets, cushions, water toys and other lake gear somewhere clean and dry for the winter.

Prepare Your Boat for Its Winter Break

For many Michigan lake homeowners, putting the boat away is the unofficial end of summer.

Before storing it, make sure it's properly winterized. Depending on the type of boat, that may include draining water, stabilizing fuel, changing fluids, protecting the battery and making sure everything is properly covered.

A little work in the fall can make that first warm boating day next spring much more enjoyable.

Shut Down Outdoor Water Sources

Freezing temperatures and water lines don't mix.

Disconnect garden hoses, drain outdoor faucets and winterize irrigation systems. If your lake property has an outdoor shower, fish-cleaning station, outdoor kitchen or other seasonal plumbing, make sure those lines are properly drained and protected too.

Seasonal cottages may require additional plumbing winterization if the heat will be turned down significantly or shut off.

Give Your Heating System Some Attention

There's nothing like arriving at the lake on a freezing January weekend and discovering the furnace isn't working.

Have your furnace or heating system checked, replace filters and test thermostats before the really cold weather arrives.

If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, fall is also a good time to have it inspected and cleaned if needed.

Clean the Gutters and Check the Roof

Falling leaves are beautiful—until they're packed into your gutters.

Clean gutters and downspouts so melting snow and ice can drain properly. While you're at it, take a look at the roof for missing or damaged shingles, flashing issues or anything else that should be repaired before snow and ice arrive.

Waterfront homes can also be exposed to significant wind, so checking the exterior of the home before winter is especially important.

Walk the Shoreline

Don't forget to look toward the lake.

Take a walk along your shoreline and inspect seawalls, retaining walls, riprap and other erosion-control areas. Look for movement, cracking, washout or other changes that may have occurred during the summer.

If something doesn't look right, addressing it early may prevent a small problem from becoming a much bigger one.

Prepare for Snow and Power Outages

If your lake home is in a more rural area, think ahead about winter access.

Make arrangements for snow removal, especially if you won't be at the property regularly. Trim questionable tree limbs near the home, driveway and power lines, and make sure you have working flashlights and other emergency supplies.

If the property has a generator, test it before you actually need it.

Don't Forget the Little Things

Before winter arrives, walk around your home with fresh eyes. Check weather stripping around doors and windows, replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, bring in outdoor furniture and make sure sheds and other outbuildings are secure.

If you won't be at the property regularly, consider smart thermostats, water sensors or security cameras that allow you to keep an eye on things from a distance.

Seasonal Lake Home? Take Extra Precautions

If you're closing your Michigan lake home completely for the winter, your preparation may look a little different.

In addition to winterizing plumbing, consider shutting off the main water supply, removing food that could attract pests, unplugging unnecessary appliances and arranging for someone to periodically check the property.

Even when a lake house is closed for the season, it's a good idea to have someone put eyes on it occasionally.

A Little Work Now Means More Lake Time Later

Preparing your Michigan lake home for fall and winter may not be the most exciting part of lake ownership, but it's one of the most important.

Taking care of your property now helps protect your investment—and makes it much easier to enjoy that moment next spring when the cover comes off the boat, the dock goes back in and another Michigan lake season begins.

And remember, lake living doesn't completely stop when summer ends. There are still beautiful fall sunsets, quiet mornings, winter views and plenty of reasons to enjoy life by the water.

Because in Michigan, lake life isn't just a summer lifestyle. It's a four-season way of life.

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