Kacaba Cottage Care

Call Directions Website Contact the business

Kacaba Cottage Care Kacaba Cottage Care provides cleaning, maintenance and more to our community in cottage county. Reach out today so we can craft a service plan that suits you.

Cottage Care = Property Care
We're here to help make your life easier. Our goal at Kacaba cottage care is to be trusted for the most comprehensive cottage care services in the Haliburton Highlands, Kawartha Lakes and beyond. We promise to make cottage life simpler.

: The Frozen Appliance 🧊💦The Myth: "Pouring a jug of pink RV plumbing antifreeze into the bottom of the dishwasher or w...
10/08/2026

: The Frozen Appliance 🧊💦

The Myth: "Pouring a jug of pink RV plumbing antifreeze into the bottom of the dishwasher or washing machine tub is enough to protect it for the winter." 🧴❄️

The Reality: This only protects the drain trap. The real danger in the Haliburton Highlands lies in the "hidden" plumbing. The internal intake valves, electric pumps, and fragile plastic supply lines tucked deep inside the machine are still filled with fresh water. When the temperature drops, that water expands, shattering the plastic components from the inside out. You won't know there's a problem until you turn the water on in the spring and find a flood in your kitchen or laundry room. 🏚️💸

The Fix: You have to cycle the antifreeze. Pour the RV antifreeze in, then run the machine on a short, warm cycle for 30–60 seconds. Once you hear the pump engage and see the pink fluid being pulled through the internal lines, you can cancel the cycle. This ensures every valve and hose is coated in protection. 🏠🧤

: It's Not Dead! 🌲🍂If you’re walking your Haliburton Highlands property this week and notice a "pine tree" turning bril...
10/07/2026

: It's Not Dead! 🌲🍂

If you’re walking your Haliburton Highlands property this week and notice a "pine tree" turning brilliant gold and dropping its needles, don’t reach for the chainsaw just yet! You are likely looking at a Tamarack (also known as a Larch).

Unlike almost every other conifer in the forest, the Tamarack is deciduous. Every October, it puts on a spectacular golden show before shedding its soft needles completely to prepare for the heavy snows of winter. ❄️✨

The Maintenance Tie-In: Every single year, we get calls from concerned cottage owners asking us to remove "that dead tree near the dock." We take pride in knowing our local Highlands flora! During our fall property assessments, we identify these unique trees and save you from the heartbreak (and cost) of accidentally removing a perfectly healthy, vibrant Tamarack. 🏠🛡️

There is no denying that peak foliage in the Haliburton Highlands is a spectacular sight right now.Driving the backroads...
10/06/2026

There is no denying that peak foliage in the Haliburton Highlands is a spectacular sight right now.

Driving the backroads or looking out over the lake near Minden, the hillsides are painted in brilliant crimsons, oranges and golds. But if you stand under those trees for more than five minutes, you quickly realize autumn is also a beautiful mess.

As those vibrant leaves begin to drop, they cover decks, fill gutters and blanket lawns. It’s a fleeting moment of beauty, but it comes with a deadline. Left unattended, that beautiful blanket turns into a heavy, wet layer that can consume an entire weekend of backbreaking work—or worse, sit beneath the snow all winter and leave a soggy, damaged mess waiting for you in spring.

There is a lesson in being proactive this time of year. Getting ahead of the fall cleanup isn't just about curb appeal; it’s about protecting the property and freeing up time to actually enjoy the season. When the gutters are clear and the grounds are tidy, you get to spend your Thanksgiving weekend sitting by the fire with family rather than holding a rake until dusk.

This week, my attitude of gratitude is for the satisfying, physical work of fall stewardship.

I’m grateful for the crisp air that makes working outdoors a pleasure, the rhythm of preparing these spaces for winter and the peace of mind that comes from leaving a property clean, clear and ready for whatever weather lies ahead.

Here’s to enjoying the beautiful mess, staying ahead of the work and making time for what truly matters this autumn.

: The Ice Dam Prevention 🍂❄️Falling leaves are a hallmark of autumn in the Haliburton Highlands, but they are also a ma...
10/05/2026

: The Ice Dam Prevention 🍂❄️

Falling leaves are a hallmark of autumn in the Haliburton Highlands, but they are also a major threat to your roof maintenance. If you want to avoid a massive repair bill this winter, your primary cottage maintenance task is to clear the debris before the temperatures plummet.

The Expert Tip: If wet leaves freeze inside your gutters, they create a heavy, solid ice block. This massive weight can actually rip the gutter right off your fascia boards. Even worse, it creates an "Ice Dam"—a blockage that forces melting snow back up under your shingles and directly into your ceiling or walls.

The Task: Clean the gutters now. Ensure all leaves and pine needles are removed so water can flow freely to the downspouts before the first hard freeze locks everything in place. 🍂❄️

Pumpkin spice season just met its ultimate savory match. 🍁🔥If you’re hosting a Friendsgiving or putting together your Th...
10/02/2026

Pumpkin spice season just met its ultimate savory match. 🍁🔥

If you’re hosting a Friendsgiving or putting together your Thanksgiving appetizer spread this month, The Ember-Roasted Squash & Burrata Bowl is guaranteed to steal the show.

We took whole local winter squash, roasted them until tender and caramelized, and poured sizzling sage brown butter directly into the hollow. The grand finale? Tearing open a cold, rich ball of fresh burrata right over the top so the cream spills into every scored slice of squash.

Pair it with thick, fire-grilled sourdough planks for scooping, a drizzle of dark Canadian maple syrup, and toasted pepitas for crunch. Whether you bake it in the oven or nestle it right into the firepit embers, it’s autumn hosting at its finest.

✉️ GET THE OCTOBER MENU CARD

We’re keeping our monthly menu cards exclusive to The Cottager’s Compass community! Subscribe to our free monthly email newsletter to get October’s full 3-page guide, including:

Master Shopping List & Local Sourcing Notes

Step-by-Step Squash Scoring Hacks

Dual Roasting Guides (Cottage Oven vs. Firepit Embers)

👇 Click the link in the first comment below to subscribe for free and get October’s printable guide instantly!

"What is included in a 'Cottage Closing'?" 🛑 We unplug appliances, defrost the fridge, cover furniture, check windows/lo...
10/02/2026

"What is included in a 'Cottage Closing'?" 🛑 We unplug appliances, defrost the fridge, cover furniture, check windows/locks, and ensure the property is tight. We work alongside your plumber for the water shutdown.

: The Hose-Pipe Heartbreak 💧❄️The Myth: "I turned off the inside water shut-off valve for the outdoor tap, so it’s perf...
10/01/2026

: The Hose-Pipe Heartbreak 💧❄️

The Myth: "I turned off the inside water shut-off valve for the outdoor tap, so it’s perfectly fine to leave the garden hose attached to the faucet until next spring." 🚿🏠

The Reality: This is one of the most common causes of spring floods in the Highlands. Even if you’ve turned off the inside valve and drained the line, a connected hose acts like a giant straw. It holds a column of water right against the faucet head. When the temperature drops, that trapped water freezes and expands, splitting the faucet body or the pipe inside your wall. Because the water is off at the valve, you won’t notice the break... until you turn the water on in May and send hundreds of gallons directly into your wall cavity or crawlspace. 🏚️🌊

The Fix: Disconnect and drain every single garden hose on the property by October 1st. Coil them up and store them in the shed or basement. Leave your outdoor faucets in the "open" position to allow any remaining moisture to expand and contract without causing pressure. A 30-second job now saves a $2,000 insurance claim later! 🏠🧤

: The Collapsible Mouse 🐁🪙As we head into October in the Haliburton Highlands, every mouse in the woods is currently lo...
09/30/2026

: The Collapsible Mouse 🐁🪙

As we head into October in the Haliburton Highlands, every mouse in the woods is currently looking for a winter condo. Here is a terrifying bit of biology: a mouse doesn’t have a collarbone and has a highly flexible ribcage. This means if their skull can fit through a hole—roughly the size of a dime—their entire body can "collapse" and squeeze right through behind it. 🚪🕵️‍♂️

The Maintenance Tie-In: This is why a simple can of spray foam from the hardware store isn't enough to protect your cottage. Mice actually enjoy chewing through foam! 🦷🚫 We use a combination of steel wool and heavy-gauge metal mesh to seal those tiny gaps. Since mice can't chew through steel, it’s the only way to ensure your kitchen isn't a "mouse hotel" by the time you return in the spring! 🏠🛡️

: The Frozen Pipe ❄️🚿Frost is officially on the horizon in the Haliburton Highlands, which means your cottage plumbing ...
09/28/2026

: The Frozen Pipe ❄️🚿

Frost is officially on the horizon in the Haliburton Highlands, which means your cottage plumbing maintenance needs to move to the top of the list. One of the most common causes of a flooded basement in the spring is a simple mistake made during winter cottage prep in the fall.

The Expert Tip: Don't trust your "Frost Free" taps blindly. Even these specialized faucets will burst if a garden hose is still attached when the temperature drops. The hose traps a column of water inside the pipe where it can’t drain—when that water freezes and expands, it splits the copper pipe inside your wall, often leaving you with a massive leak the moment you turn the water back on in May.

The Task: Disconnect all garden hoses today. Drain them thoroughly and store them in the shed or garage. It’s the easiest 2-minute job to prevent a catastrophic burst pipe this winter! ❄️🚿

"Do you stack firewood?" 🪵 We sure do. We can stack your winter woodpile neatly and keep it off the ground to discourage...
09/25/2026

"Do you stack firewood?" 🪵 We sure do. We can stack your winter woodpile neatly and keep it off the ground to discourage rot and insects. Nothing looks better than a tidy woodpile!

Address

The Cottage Country Of Haliburton County, Kawartha Lakes & Surrounding Areas
Haliburton, ON
K0M2A1

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+1-705-809-0898

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kacaba Cottage Care posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Kacaba Cottage Care:

Shortcuts

Share

Category