Wishing all our customers a slightly belated but very Happy and Healthy New Year. We hope you were able to safely meet up with some family and friends over the Holiday period. After a lot of mild weather the last week or so has seen us all back to scraping car windows and turning the heating up. Winter has arrived arrived at last but are you ready for it?
Winterisation
This is where you prepare your Static Holiday Home for the colder winter months. The NCC recommends winterising the home when it will be left empty for more than a few days during a cold period and the general advice is to follow the Manufacturer’s specific recommendations with regard to winterisation and draining down. This information can be found in the Manufacturers manual or handbook supplied with the home. The NCC recommends the winterisation procedure should be performed by a competent individual who has read and understood both the NCC Code of Practice and the specific winterisation guidelines set out in the Manufacturer’s handbook, which could vary from model to model. A winter drain down service is often offered or arranged by the Park Operator for those Holiday Homes on Parks. These preparations are designed to reduce problems caused by frost damage.
The two main causes of frost damage are:
- Freezing water in appliances, pipes, taps and TMV on showers and baths.
- Water pressure increasing in systems within the van due to water freezing outside the van. This can happen even when using the van, to lagged pipes outside the van during prolonged freezing conditions or particularly cold conditions. Information about ways to reduce damage from increased water pressure should be available from the Home and/or boiler Manufacturer.
Water can expand when it turns to ice and this pressure needs to be released somewhere. Frost damage, and issues arising from it such as water damage, are not covered by the Manufacturers warranties so it is important to make sure you have done all you can to prepare for winter and freezing conditions whether you are staying in your van or not.
Winterisation in a static caravan may include the following:
- Checking the anti-freeze level in the central heating system and adding anti-freeze to the toilet cistern, pan and traps and sinks/showers/baths.
- Hot and cold water cleared from the system completely by a compressed air system
- Shower mixer valves and taps dismantled
Boiler Manufacturers should produce their own guides on Winterising for Central Heating Systems and Water Heaters.
Condensation
You can help prevent condensation and related problems by leaving all internal doors open, including cupboard doors, to allow air flow and removing any upholstery and mattresses away from the outside walls and into the middle of the room when not there. While in your home in cold weather, do not leave standing water or washing to dry and open windows when possible and when cooking. Ensure air vents are not blocked and use secure night latches if available. Moisture traps may also be used and other hints and tips will be available on-line.
This information is a general guide and not exhaustive so do check your own van and Appliance and Boiler information and recommendations.
Shop
We have a range of products in our shop available to help you be ‘Winter Ready’ so do call in or phone to see how we can help.
The Pioneer Caravans Team