Here’s How to Open Your Cottage for the Season

Whether you own a cottage, cabin or chalet, the approach of warm weather means it’s time to start thinking about opening up for the season. After a long winter, systems will need to be checked and turned on, and repairs may need to be made. However, upon arrival walk around your property to look for downed power lines or damaged trees that could pose a danger and address these issues first. Here’s some more tips and pointers to help make your opening weekend go smoothly.

Pack Everything You Need

The first order of business is to make a cottage list of what you’ll need to pack in your vehicle before leaving for your summer place. You’ll want to arrive in daylight but plan ahead for darkness in case there are any power issues: 

• Light Sources: flashlights and batteries, lanterns, candles and matches 

• Power Sources: portable generator, extension cords, and laptop/mobile device chargers 

• Food Supplies: including coolers and ice packs for perishables, along with enough dry and canned goods to last several days 

• Cooking Source: BBQ or camping stove if not already present at the cottage 

• Medical Supplies: first aid kit including sticky bandages, antibacterial solutions, bug repellent/bite treatment and painkillers, plus regular prescription drugs 

• Sun Protection: you’ll want sunscreen for opening things up outside 

• Drinking Water: take several water jugs to last a few days 

• Garbage Storage: trash bags for indoor and outdoor garbage 

• Pet Supplies: pet food, collars etc. 

• Property insurance papers

Utilities & Related Equipment

Hopefully, you kept a list of the actions you performed at your cottage when leaving in the fall. If telephone, hydro, water and gas supplies were turned off by suppliers, contact them to reconnect service before you arrive. Now it’s time to start turning on your other systems.

Turn on the Water

At the end of the last season, you turned off the main water supply and drained the pipes. Now it’s time to inspect your water pump and reverse the procedure. 

1. Inspect water lines for damage 

2. Install a new pump water filter 

3. Connect the hand pump to the pump’s priming valve (or manually fill to the water line) 

4. If you use lake water, open the priming valve and draw lake water into the line using the hand pump 

5. Close the priming valve 

6. Open your indoor cold water taps 

7. Ensure that the cold water valve leading into the hot water tank is closed 

8. Switch on the water pump at the electrical panel 

9. Open any other valves between the pump and your cottage 

10. Check all water lines for leaks 

11. Close all your taps and watch the pump to ensure it holds pressure and doesn’t continue to run

Turn on Your Hot Water Tank

1. Make sure the water tank breaker is turned off 

2. Close all your taps and ensure the cold water intake valve is closed 

3. Connect the hose to the tank drainage valve and open the valve 

4. Open a hot water tap, allowing air to flow into the tank and push out any residual water 

5. Close the drainage valve 

6. Fill the tank by turning on the cold water valve 

7. When the hot water tap starts flowing normally the tank is full 

8. Close the hot water tap 

9. Turn on the electric supply breaker in main panel 

10. Make sure there aren’t any leaks in your hot water pipes

Check Your Septic Tank

It’s a good idea to learn exactly how your septic tank works and follow the recommended maintenance procedures. If you don’t know when it was last pumped out, consider having it done before the season begins to avoid future problems.

Check Your Sump Pump

If you have a sump pump, make sure you know how it works and what maintenance is recommended. Check it for any damage, and consider installing a water overflow alarm to alert you to any leaks.

Power Up

Plug in your stove, fridge, and AC unit to ensure proper working order and repair or replace if necessary. Turn on the breakers feeding your outdoor electrical outlets and test them all to reveal any problems.

Turn Up the Temperature

If your cottage has a furnace, that needs to be checked as well. Replace the filter and check the vents for debris. Turn on the control switch to ensure it’s firing up properly.

Inside Opening Tasks

Do as many of these as possible on the first day so that your cottage is habitable the first night.

Check for Security Breaches

Turn off your security system. Check all the windows and doors to see if any were forced open over the winter. Look for any other security breaches.

Inspect for Damage

Take a careful look around your cottage and note any damage that needs repair. Look for improper seals, broken screens and vents and water leaks—especially on the ceiling. If you see any rodent droppings, you’ll need to look for pest entry points. Have some caulking and weather stripping handy for repairs.

Check Smoke Alarms and CO Detectors

Replace the batteries in your alarms and ensure they are all in working order. Replace any units that are faulty or past their expiry dates.

Clean & Open Your Fireplace

You probably cleaned your fireplace before leaving last fall. But give it a once over with a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust. Ensure that nothing has been caught in the chimney, and make sure the damper is closed.

Check for Mould & Mildew

Open the windows and doors for a couple hours to air out the cottage. Apply mould and mildew cleaners to any areas in need.

Outside Opening Tasks

Spend day two checking your outdoor spaces. Take photos of any damage for insurance purposes. If you have other family members with you, divide up the inspection duties to get the job done faster.

Inspect the Roof & Gutters

Look for snow and ice damage and identify any shingles or flashing in need of repair. Clogged gutters can cause flooding: clean these as soon as possible and repair or replace if necessary.

Inspect Your Foundation

Check around your cottage foundation and inspect the posts, pads and beams for any shifting over the winter.

Inspect Your Deck & Dock

Check your deck, and the dock if you have one, to look for ice damage, shifted supports, raised nails or screws. Mark any boards that need replacing.

Lawn Care

Check that your lawn mower and other outdoor tools are in good working order. Take a good look around the lawn and note any damage or bare patches. Set up your sprinklers and hoses, and spread grass seed where necessary.

Outdoor Storage

Now that most of your opening chores are complete, it’s time to set up the lounge chairs and lawn furniture, and set up your BBQ. Give everything a good clean and make sure they’re in good working condition.

Opening up your cottage for the season is a lot of work. If you approach it methodically and use this guide as a reference, you should be able to get most of it done in a weekend. Next thing on your agenda? Sit down, relax, and enjoy the summer!