If you own a seasonal summer cabin, cottage, camp or chalet in the northern climates and close it up for the winter months, there are a number of steps to take in order to prepare for using it in the warmer months of the year. These steps apply whether it’s a mountain chalet, a classic lakefront New England cabin or camp, or a cozy cottage on the seashore. The procedures you followed last fall to winterize it should have paid off in avoiding the necessity of repairs when summer weather returns. The following steps taken in the spring or summer will help insure a full season of enjoyment of your cabin or cottage. As you go through these steps to open your cabin each year it is suggested you maintain an up to date checklist. Revisions should be noted as you encounter them so they are not forgotten.
Restoring the heat in your cottage
Assuming you drained the water and left your summer cabin unheated restoring the ability to heat is often one of the first steps to take. Even though you expect warm summer weather to prevail it is a good idea to be prepared for cooler rainy spells. If you have a wood burning stove or fireplace in your cabin you might will to take the chill of with a fire thus a supply of dry firewood ought to be renewed.
For a wood burning stove in your cabin or cottage, this may be as simple as opening the flue and checking the integrity of the cabin chimney or chimney pipe for leaks, nests, or other obstructions, and bringing in a supply of dry wood. If your wood stove is blackened putting on a fresh coat of stove polish is suggested to inhibit rust during the higher humidity months.
For those cabins or cottages with an oil or propane heater or furnace the fuel supply tank should be turned on and the pilot light ignited if there is one. The furnace filter should be checked for dirt and cleaned or changed as required. If the fuel is low consider having the tank topped off especially if you plan on using your cabin or cottage in the cooler months come fall. Give the furnace a test run to insure it is working properly.
Turning on the cabin water system
The specific steps to turning on your cabin water system are highly dependent on how your system is set up. Now that summer is coming, suffice it to say that faucets left open for the winter should be closed and the various supply valves be closed in preparation for sequentially turning on the water to the different areas of the cabin. With cabin or cottage systems that use a shallow or deep well pump it is important to let the water run until it is clear. Following that the hot water heater valve can be opened and the tank filled. It’s a good idea to flush some water through the system before closing the lower drain valve. Be sure not to turn on the cabin hot water heater, whether gas or electric, until the tank is full.
When the basic water system is running in the cabin or cottage go to the various sinks, toilets, shower or tub and slowly turn on the supply valve. Be prepared with a flashlight to look under the sinks at the drains and supply line. Also listen for any sign of water leaks in case of a broken pipe or fitting. It’s a good idea to go through this process with a partner back at the main water turn-on valve in case it has to be closed rapidly due to a leak. A pair of family walkie-talkie radios works great for this purpose. This is also a good time to remove and clean any screen strainers from sink faucets. These often accumulate sand in systems using a well and should be cleaned several times each summer.
Getting your cottage appliances ready
If you have a clothes washer or dishwasher in your summer cabin or cottage that you winterized you should run them through a cycle to flush out any recreational vehicle antifreeze you used last fall. If your refrigerator has an icemaker the water supply valve should be turned on and several cycles of cubes thrown out as a precaution. In addition check for leaks beneath the dishwasher, the clothes washer and icemaker on the refrigerator. Also remove and clean the wire screens that are located where the hot and cold supply hoses enter the clothes washer.
Preparing the Interior
If you have taken down framed pictures to prevent shadowing on pine walls these can be repositioned. Also be sure to pick up any mousetraps or bait to prevent children or pets from getting in them. Summer is a good time to clean the floors whether carpet or wood and to remove any cobwebs that may be present. Uncover and vacuum any upholstered furniture and apply leather polish to any leather chairs/sofas. Dust and vacuum the cabin or cottage as needed. It is also a convenient time to wash the windows both on the inside and outside. This is especially true if you have a seaside cottage where salt spray will be on the windows.
Tending to the Exterior
If your cabin or cottage has a wood deck or stairs summer is a good time to check for evidence of moss or mold and to power wash if necessary using a biodegradable cleaner. Depending on the materials used you may want to reseal the deck. In addition consider washing any screens before putting them up for the summer. Depending on the location it will be usually necessary to do some raking and picking up of branches in the yard or open area of the cabin. Depending on what type of siding you have you may want to inspect it for mold or discoloration and power wash as necessary.
Finally make sure the grill has a full tank of gas or a new bag of charcoal, fill the refrigerator and get ready to enjoy the summer at your cabin, cottage, camp or chalet!
