A guidance page of useful information for owners on winterisation of your caravan.
Insurance and when to winterise your caravan
Please check your insurance to see how cover is provided when un occupied. Your chosen insurer will be able to advise you of any exclusions or restrictions.
**This guide is based on Compass insurance version 5 it may vary each year and by company. Please check you insurance document to be sure as version 4 doesn’t cover additional items such as the Floe and the Caraguard.**
Compass define the winter period from the 1st of October to the 14th of March. Their requirements vary if the park is open or closed during that period. Please check with the site manager what dates the site is open and closed each year.
Compass requirements for the winterisation of your caravan.
Loss or damage caused by corrosion or Wear and Tear.
Loss or damage occurring between 1st October and 14th March when your Structure is Unoccupied unless you have taken the precautions defined below:
If your Park is Closed:
(a) Turning off the water at the mains stopcock and fully Drain Down all equipment to the manufacturer’s specifications; or
(b) Leaving a proprietary sealed heating system that contains anti-freeze and has been maintained to the manufacturers specification in operation; or
(c) Using a Park approved service to Drain Down your Structure
If your Park is Open:
(d) You must ensure that the water has been turned off at the mains stopcock, all taps are left open, sinks and plug holes are left unobstructed, or the full central heating system has been set to operate daily and overnight to avoid frost
Where precautions a) or d) have been taken a £250 Excess will apply to each and every claim and or where precautions b) or c) have been taken then the standard policy Excess applies.
Where a Drain Down System is used for precautions a), c) or d) above you must ensure it has been installed by an Approved Fitter, has been properly maintained, has been correctly set, and is in operation, all in accordance with the manufacturer specifications.
Loss or damage to the boiler or heating installation itself unless the precautions detailed in (a) to (d) above are followed.
Compass version 5 you can read online here
If you have an older version of insurance conditions please check with your insurer
The Creek Caravan Parks recommendation is to do both, turn the stop tap off when you leave and open the taps as well as making sure the caravan is set to a minimum frost level with a thermostat.
Remembering to turn the stop tap off and open all the internal taps each time you leave can easily be forgotten especially if you have guests staying. A smart thermostat would allow you to set the boiler and control the temperature from where ever you are and give you that security of knowing the temperature of your caravan. In addition, installing the Caraguard system (see below) would give you peace of mind knowing that the mains water will be switched off after 72 hours after you have left the caravan .
All the caravans on the park have the ability to be set to frost mode on the boiler itself, please familiarise yourself with doing this if you don’t want to use a thermostat.
When the park is shut, we recommend using the parks official drain down service.
Book your drain down using the following link
https://forms.gle/kF8kseCXqGyo4rZL6
You can read Compass tips on winterisation on their website in the link below.
Please familiarise your self with the location of your stop cock.
The Creek Caravan Park has approved plumbers who will drain your caravan for you. If you wish to get your caravan drained down by the approved plumbers please contact the company office
Compass approved additional protection items for your caravan
Automatic stop cock
A Caraguard system is an automatic stop cock for your caravan in case you forget to turn off your stop cock when you leave.
Currently not covered by Compass version 4 insurance, when you renew your insurance you will be on version 5 please check what version you are on.
If you would like the park to organise the installation of a Caraguard system please get in touch. office@ringsteadcaravans.co.uk
Smart thermostat to control your heating
A smart thermostat allows you to control your heating remotely and to set a minimum temperature for you caravan to guard against frost as per insurance requirements.
An example smart Thermostat is the Hive and Hive mini
All the boilers have a frost guard setting but this can be done in which can be set in person when in the caravan, however a smart thermostat allows you to do it remotely. Please refer to each boilers guidance on how to set your boiler to frost guard.
You can read example an article of how Vaillant boilers work when set to frost mode.
If you would like the Creek Caravan Park to organise the installation of a Smart thermostat please get in touch. office@ringsteadcaravans.co.uk
Floë Automated Induratec 868 – 240V Drainage System
The Floe system allows you to drain down your caravan at a touch of a button. This system is approved by Compass insurance, please check your own insurance to confirm before using it.
Currently not covered by Compass version 4 insurance, when you renew your insurance you will be on version 5 please check what version you are on.
If you would like the Creek Caravan Park to organise the installation of a Smart thermostat please get in touch. office@ringsteadcaravans.co.uk
What is a full drain down of your caravan
Compass version 5 states:
Drain Down
- The process of draining down the Structure (to the manufacturer specifications) which must include, but not be limited to, the following steps: Switch off the heater and turn off the water supply.
- Open the structure’s external taps, usually located underneath the structure. These are used to drain down the structure.
- Turn on all the internal taps until they’re fully drained, do this for all hot and cold water outlets including all sinks. Flush all toilets and let the water empty out.
- Turn on the shower, and let the water drain out. You should also remove the shower head and connecting pipe to help the water flow away.
- Using compressed air, blow through the pipes to remove any remaining water.
- Pour non-toxic anti-freeze down the toilet and any plug holes to remove water residue.
- Close and lock all windows, skylights, and doors to stop cold air from entering the structure
- You must pay close attention to your boiler and external pipes as they’re most likely to suffer damage from the cold.
Where this service is provided by your Park, or another third party, it is your responsibility to ensure this is properly completed and in line with the dates specified in your Policy.
Book your 2024 drain down with the following link
https://forms.gle/kF8kseCXqGyo4rZL6
Additional links on maintenance tips for your holiday home.
Preparing your static caravan for winter: Essential exterior maintenance
Preparing your static caravan for winter: Essential maintenance of the interior of you caravan