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How to Prepare for living in your static caravan in winter

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Modern static caravans make fantastic homes all year round, and are even great for winter breaks if you’re looking for a holiday home in the colder months. However, there are some considerations a UK caravan owner needs to make as the temperatures start to drop, with the aim of protecting your static caravan from the elements and making it as comfortable as possible to stay in. Delta Stratford static caravan in the snow

In this guide we take you through tips and advice to living in a static caravan in winter, and the best winter preparations to ensure you have a good season knowing you’ve done what you can to prevent damp, frozen pipes and irreversible damage.

Preparing your static caravan for winter

There are quite a few useful preparations you can make to have an enjoyable few months and enjoy those cosy evenings in.

Keep it warm

Just before you notice the temperature start to drop, invest in some thermal curtains, thick rugs, a portable heater, and thicker duvets and blankets for your bed. These items are great ways to add extra insulation to your static and to keep you from feeling the cold. They can also offer great value as static caravan owners can use them again and again each winter.

Another useful way to keep warm is to make sure no furniture is blocking your radiators, preventing the warmth from efficiently flowing through the rooms. This is less important in the summer when the heating will be on less, but you can really feel the difference in a cold snap.

If your budget allows and you don’t already have central heating, this would also help as a long term solution. Many static caravan owners now benefit from models with central heating designed in, and it is sometimes possible to upgrade an existing static.

Lagging pipes

When winter approaches, it’s crucial to take necessary precautions to protect the plumbing system of your static caravan from freezing. One effective method to safeguard your pipes is by lagging them. Lagging involves insulating the pipes to maintain a consistent temperature and prevent them from becoming vulnerable to cold weather. By applying insulation materials such as foam tubes or pipe wraps around the exposed pipes, you create a protective barrier that reduces heat loss and minimises the risk of freezing.

This simple yet essential task can help ensure that your pipes remain in good condition during the winter months, allowing you to enjoy a worry-free season in your cosy static caravan.

Prepare your windows and doors

Ensure that your windows and doors are lubricated to help prevent any rubber seals from getting damaged in freezing temperatures. You can also lubricate the locks as well to reduce the risk of them getting stuck. As you do this, take the time to check the general condition of your windows and doors, looking out for any cracks, breaks in sealant or mould. If you find mould, try a mould remover before the winter months so they’re in the best condition possible going into the cold weather when condensation is likely to occur.

You could also use this opportunity to check for other general maintenance tasks which are easier to carry out in fairer weather. Is the guttering in good condition? Are there any leaks in the roof and chassis? Are there any gaps that local wildlife might find to enter through to escape the cold?

How to shut down a static caravan for winter

If you’re not staying in your static for winter and it will be an empty static caravan (no renters), then you need to make preparations and shut it down for the season. Doing this properly will provide you with peace of mind that it will stay in a good condition until your return.

The process of shutting down a static for winter is often called ‘winterisation’ – you winterise your caravan for the season.

Drain down

A core preparation for winterisation is to drain down your static to prevent water freezing in your pipes. For most static caravans this involves removing any fittings that may retain water, flushing the toilet and putting antifreeze into the basin and waste pipes, and turning off the water supply before running the taps and shower until all the water is gone from the caravan’s pipes. This process can be fairly intensive and an important task, so it might be worth checking if your park offers a drain down service you could benefit from.

There are several other preparations involved in shutting down static caravans for winter:

Interior

Remove any valuable items from all the rooms
Stand mattresses to prevent damp forming
Use vacuum storage bags for any clothes and bedding staying in the caravan
Remove any perishables such as food and drink
Allow for good air circulation; keep internal doors open and wardrobe doors open
Have a good general clean to prevent mould and attracting rodents; vacuum all the carpets, wipe down the kitchen surfaces etc
Clean out the fridge and freezer
Turn utilities off – gas, electric and water supply
Check air vents
Leave curtains open (this can prevent mildew and is often the advice from caravan parks)

Exterior

Check your static caravan guttering for any blockages and maintenance issues
Look for any leaks or gaps in the roof and chassis
If there’s a lot of vegetation under and around your static, even going up the sides, clear it for winter to discourage wildlife and for general upkeep
If you have anything out on your decking such as outdoor furniture, store these away to prevent theft and to save them from the elements

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Introducing Sandra, the New Sales Director of Carnaby

Home » Archives for November 2023

We would like to introduce Sandra, Sales Director of Carnaby

Sandra Carter sales director of Carnaby caravans

Sandra, how did you originally get into the caravan industry?

I married into it my husband and I lived in Poole, My Husband worked for CI caravan international , when the country hit a down turn we decided to go to a sister company in SA in 1980 , stayed there for 4.5 years came back to Poole and Rae started a job at BK where he eventually became director .

How did you come to work at Carnaby Caravans?

As you know the industry is a small cottage industry everyone knows each other , I was offered a sales role in 2006 where I was employed as an area manager.

What would you say are 3 things that motivate you the most?

I Believe in what Carnaby produce, enjoy my role enormously, work with an amazing team.

What are your Hobbies?

I have little time , as my home life has changed due to my husbands stroke, but I would say having quality time with grandchildren and entertaining at home when we can.

Covid was a trying time for all companies, what challenges did you / or the caravan industry face and how did you overcome them?

It was challenging for everyone , but I would say Carnaby made a conscious decision to work to our strengths, we only took orders we could achieve, we were honest with our suppliers only placed orders for materials to complete orders, paid our suppliers on time to make sure when we got back to normal production they remembered who worked in partnership with them.

Why do you think Delta has remained so successful for so long ?

Don’t know about Delta but Carnaby has been going since 1976, I believe because we are privately owned we make the decisions based on what is right for Carnaby and our customers we are not, a company where computer says no, we value each and every customer, we get to know them and their park, its important to us whether you have 10 pitches or a 100 pitches .

You get the same level of respect and service from our team.

How do you see the Mobile Home market changing in the next 5 years?

I have been around a number of years seen the highs and lows , this time is no different , its back to basics call on your customers listen to what is going on around you , work in partnership between park and manufacturer , the end user will always love a holiday home it is with out doubt the one place a family feels safe with their children , from the minute you turn that key you are on holiday, this is priceless.

Good old fashion quality time with your loved ones and friends, to this day regardless of any financial gains you may have , a caravan holiday is still one of the easiest stays, hassle free holidays you can have.

At The UK Caravan Centre we have a wide range of New Carnaby homes available, click here or call our Sales Team on 0800 2461206 to find out more.