Introduction to Lake Martin Winter Projects

I am great at home projects. 

Well, to be honest, as my wife will attest, I am really good at thinking of home projects. I am not really good at doing them. True to my form, this blog includes some advice to Lake Martin homeowners. I have come up with a few suggestions for Lake Martin winter projects not to be done by me.  Never fear, my lack of practical experience doesn’t prevent me from doling out advice. The below suggestions come from my time as a real estate agent on Lake Martin, and knowing what can make your lake home more fun, more usable, or at least more sanitary. 

Lake Martin Winter Projects

These are not the type of projects that you see on HGTV. They will not instantly add monetary value to your home. How they come with those dubious dollar figures, I do not know. These Lake Martin winter projects will add overall value, though. That I can promise you.

#1 Have Your Septic Tank Pumped

Unless you own one of those “Honey Pot” trucks with their double entendre slogans on the side, this project is not a do-it-your-self-er. Hire a licensed septic company to come do the deed. You only have to do this once every few years, but it’s critical to lake happiness. A surprise pumping situation always happens in the summer when the house is full of loved ones, or maybe even family. A septic emergency puts everyone on edge. Why risk it? Take care of this in the cool months and flush with confidence in the warm ones. This past summer, it seemed my buyers encountered an unusual amount of septic tank issues. Maybe it was just a coincidence, but for me it emphasized the importance of this most humble element of lake homes.

#2 Pressure Wash The Dock

I can’t tell you how many docks I see that look like they haven’t been pressure washed since ALF was on TV. If you’ve been around Lake Martin for any amount of time, you have seen the muddy buildup that accumulates on all things underwater. We call it “gunk.” Even though we have a very clear lake, gunk buildup happens. Take some time and lay a pressure washer into that dude. Get all up underneath it, on the poles and everything. If you clean the surface areas, you might need to re-stain or paint them so you don’t get a million splinters. This is by far the most tedious task on the list, but it’s visually rewarding.

#3 Make A Man Cave Out of Old Boat House

Do you have an old, dilapidated, creepy boat house on your property? Make a Man Cave out of it. If you bling out that old boat house, it might be a way to use its space in style. You must follow any neighborhood and Alabama Power shoreline rules of course.

Many of the old boat houses built in the seventies are right on the shoreline, have a ramp into the water, but their super low ceilings prevent storage of modern boats. I won’t tell you exactly how to customize it to be a worthy Cave; if you have to be told, you don’t deserve one. And – is your boathouse like ours, that is, a small closet like shed that’s off of the water? No matter, convert it, too. A friend of mine has a small structure that he calls his “pouting shed.” He has to squat low upon entry and sit on a five gallon bucket by the rake and the ant poison. But it’s his space, man.  All his. 

#4 Install New Poles For Your Floating Dock

Depending on the slope of your lot, the winter drawdown of the water level could give you a chance to install some better poles for your floating dock. If you hire someone else to do it, it will no doubt be easier for them and cheaper for you if done in the winter. The number one problem I see with floating docks is poor quality poles. Often they are leaning to one side or another, are only loosely holding the dock, and aren’t sunk properly. Again, follow all neighborhood and Alabama Power Shoreline Permitting guidelines, but for heaven’s sake, take care of your dock. You will get so much more enjoyment out of it in the warm months if you are confident of its strength. 

#5 Sink An Anchor Buoy

If you want an anchor close by your dock or shoreline, and out of the traffic pattern, winter is a great time to sink it. However, be careful to follow the Water Patrol’s rules on this. Even if you don’t have a need to regularly anchor your boat, I really like having an anchor for when you have company. It gives you the ability to anchor out the guest’s boat and tie it back to the land or your dock. Also, everyone’s boat is nice, tidy, and not rocking into the dock.  I made one last winter and we really enjoyed the flexibility of having my boat out of the way. Plus, when a storm is coming, I think anchoring to a buoy is a lot better (at least in our setup). This is because I don’t have to worry about the boat bashing against the dock.

In Conclusion

I hope you can use this free advice – free of any physical help, that is! If you have any questions about these projects or real estate related questions, I would love to help you out. My name is John Coley with Lake Martin Voice Realty. You can contact me by calling the number on the top of this page, emailing me, or using our Contact Page. I look forward to hearing from you!

For more blogs on Lake Martin projects, visit the links listed below:

Top 3 Irrigation Tips for Lake Martin Alabama Homes

Hiring a Dock Builder at Lake Martin