Tips for Closing Your Cabin

October 20, 2019

Thanks Kathleen Pugh for sharing. This is a great check list for those who need to winterize their place.

Closing up the Cabin for the Winter

Outside

Clean and winterize lawn mower and other gas-powered yard equipment.
Store fire pit decorations, emptied flower pots, drained hoses and sprinklers, and deflated water toys.
Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, pipes, windows and doors; then seal leaks with caulk or insulation to keep out cold air and pests.
Insulate pipes in crawl spaces by wrapping them with heat tape or thermostatically- controlled heat cables; also open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
Clean out gutters, and inspect roof for shingles that are raised or cracked; leaking roofs and clogged gutters can lead to significant water damage.
Turn off outside pump breaker, hoist motor breaker, dock light breaker.
Put away outdoor furniture, picnic tables and hammocks.
Make sure your winter sports gear is ready to go. Snowmobile and ATV tuned up? Where are those snowshoes?

Inside

Ensure that the power and water are in the proper mode for vacancy.
Set thermostat at the appropriate temperature for the region. If you heat your place in the winter, set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees; if you keep the A/C on when you’re gone, set it to 80 degrees.
Clean furnace filter to maintain an efficient heating and cooling system and reduce the risk of fire.
If you’re shutting off the refrigerator, leave the door cracked open to prevent musty smells from developing.
Pull shades, or cover furniture to keep it from being bleached by the sun.
Put mothballs or dryer sheets near linens.
Restock and store first-aid kit.
Take out all perishable foods; store those that remain in air-tight/crittertight containers. If you don’t heat the cabin in winter, carry out canned goods so they don’t freeze.
Turn off dehumidifier and hot water heater.
Close damper for fireplace. Seal box to prevent critters from entering cabin.
If you don’t heat in winter, drain the pipes by attaching a hose to the lowest point in the plumbing, then blow out all water with an air compressor.
Winterize washing machine; kitchen appliances.