Key closing-up chores that you never want to forget

You know that vague feeling that you’ve forgotten something after closing up? Well, if you’re like me, you likely have. Use this checklist of the most commonly overlooked closing-up chores, and save yourself some worry this winter.

1) Plumbing and water supply

So you’ve drained your tanks and lines, put antifreeze in your traps, and opened all your taps. That’s it…right?

DON’T FORGET TO…empty flexible sprayer lines in sinks and showers, supply and drain lines for washing machines, garden hoses, and dishwasher lines.

Tips for closing up your plumbing and septic systems

2) Animal control

You’ve packed up all the food, but have you left our furry friends a smorgasbord?

DON’T FORGET TO…clean toaster crumb trays, barbecue grease catches, and dirty barbecue grills.

3) Electricity and heat

When shutting off the power, it’s common practice to just throw the main switch in the breaker panel, but this can be dangerous when you reopen in the spring. If you turn on the main breaker and everything comes on at once, it introduces a huge load to the electrical panel.

DON’T FORGET TO…unplug or switch off major electricity draws, such as water heaters, baseboard heaters, fridges, and pumps—before you turn off the breaker in the fall. That way the load is introduced gradually as you switch everything back on in the spring.

7 cottage heating mistakes that you’re making

4) Tools and equipment

There’s nothing worse than opening up in the spring and finding a bunch of rusty tools and engines that won’t start.

DON’T FORGET TO…spray down metal tools with WD-40 and wrap them in old towels to keep them rust free. Add fuel stabilizer to your gas; top off all fuel tanks so they are full to avoid condensation inside.

5) Snow preparation

Snow offers two challenges at the cottage: weight and water. With a little prep, you can reduce the chances of damage from both.

DON’T FORGET TO…consider positioning temporary support posts. They are often unnecessary, but if they stop you from worrying all winter, add them. You can buy telescoping support posts or make your own out of 4x4s. And speaking of roofs, make sure you clean out your eavestroughs so melted snow has an easy path to the ground come spring.

Do I need to worry about snow load on my cabin roof?

This article was published in the October 2020 issue of Cottage Life.