Opening Your Cottage: Expectations vs. Reality

If you’re gearing up to open your cottage or lake house for the summer, you probably have some expectations of how it will go. But depending on the weather over the winter and spring as well as what protective measures you have in place, those expectations may be more fantasy than reality.  

Expectation: Throw open the windows and let the sun shine in 

Reality: Throw open the windows and let the sun shine on all the dust in the air 

Your initial entrance will probably be less Cinderella at the ball and more Cinderella with a mop. Expect a coating of dust on everything and a healthy amount of coughing. If your crawl space isn’t encapsulated, expect more than a coating - your HVAC system will have been circulating air from the dirt floor crawl space for months 

Expectation: Kick back and read while the kids play outside 

Reality: A family game of “find the smell” 

Again, if your crawl space isn’t encapsulated, it’s been at the mercy of the elements for months by the time you go up to open it. That means free reign for mold to grow and flourish. Since mold only needs water and organic material to grow, a crawl space with even a little water is a perfect environment. As it grows and expands, it’s likely to send a musty smell up into your home. 

Expectation: Go fishing 

Reality: Chase raccoons out 

What does an unencapsulated crawl space let in besides water and debris? Pests. This may mean spiders, but in some cases it can be much worse. You may arrive to find a family of raccoons squatting in your living room and your plans out the window as you MacGuyver some sort of broom and cage situation. Exciting, sure, but not in the way you were probably expecting. 

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A weekend at the cottage should be relaxing and fun, but if you didn’t think ahead last fall, it might be a huge headache instead. Call us to ask about crawl space encapsulation and make this the last time you face unexpected problems.