The Arduous Winterisation Process For Static Caravan Owners

Owning a static caravan has become an increasingly popular holidaying option for many people from all walks of life. It allows the owner to have an affordable residence in some of the most beautiful regions in the country. Like a normal house however there is a certain amount of work that must be conducted to prolong the life of a static caravan, this work must be undertaken periodically, but also annually. Keeping the caravan in good condition requires dedication on your part as well as the efforts of your park manager.

Naturally the amount you use your static will affect the amount of work it will need in any one year. Older models will obviously require more work to keep them at a decent standard while newer models will be far easier to keep. Part of the reason behind this is that new models have incorporated technology and developments in the use of materials meaning that less maintenance is required to achieve the same lifespan. That said; it is still important to 'winterise' your caravan whenever the holidaying season ends, otherwise on your return the following spring, you may find that your home away from home is in a ghastly state of repair.

Here are some of the maintenance tasks that will have to be undertaken periodically should your static have a long and illustrious life.

Keeping the exterior clean and tidy is undertaken for reasons other than aesthetics. In most cases, a clean exterior will mean a caravan that lives longer. Over the period of a year, dirt and debris will build up around the walls of the caravan, it is important to remove this so that the static does not rot in the wetter, winter months. A great way to carry out this task that will avoid the back breaking work is to invest in a jet washer, drastically reducing the time spent on cleaning.

As with your home, clearing the guttering and roof of debris is also an advisable course of action should you static last for years. Once again, leaving debris on the roof and gutters can lead to ingress of damp in the winter months as the water cannot run off the property effectively. Most parks will sit amongst trees so a major concern is to clear away leaves from these areas as these are normally the culprits of drainage blockages and hence other problems. Damp is a constant worry so by ensuring it does not sit near you static for too long, you should prevent any nasty surprises on your return in the spring.

Anchoring should also be an important part of the winterisation process. The anchor points should be checked before you leave and tightened if they are loose. The winter can be extremely windy, especially in coastal areas where a lot of parks are located. At this point it is usual to highlight any problems in regards to anchoring to the park warden, if they have knowledge that your caravan may be a little loose, they will be able to check it throughout the winter for problems.

The final part of winterisation is to empty all of the cupboards; those cereals that may keep while you are away are the perfect invite to rodents and other small animals. Additionally the static should be completely emptied of water; do this by shutting of the mains and running the taps dry, otherwise you may experience burst pipes on your return. As you leave ensure that all of the bedding is removed as this can become damp and thoroughly lock up the caravan; thieves know that most parks are empty in winter and hence see it as a chance to make a buck.

Hopefully this information has given static caravan owners essential advice on how to prepare their property for winter. It is about protecting your home from the elements and ensuring that when you return, it is in the same condition as when you left it.

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