Summer is here, and for many Canadians, that means it’s time to open the cottage for the season. However, in our excitement about the warm weather, it’s easy to forget that this home-away-from-home needs regular maintenance and upkeep. To make sure your vacation time is as relaxing as possible, we’ve put together some tips to make sure small problems don’t turn into significant, and potentially costly, issues.
Start with an exterior walkaround
When you’re opening your cottage for the summer, one of the first things you should do is walk around the exterior. Doing so means you can spot any potential damage that occurred over the winter months. During this walkaround, you will want to do the following:
- Examine the roof for loose or missing shingles, faulty flashing, and gaping holes
- Check the caulking and weather stripping
- Inspect the property for any fallen trees, especially in areas close to the main home or other structures on the property
- Check eavestroughs for leaves and other debris
Take care of any damage promptly. In some instances, you will be able to do this yourself, such as redoing the caulking, replacing shingles, and cleaning the eavestroughs. Some kinds of winter damage may require a professional, whether it be for the complexity of the issue or simply convenience.
Check for animal damage
When you are finishing up your exterior check and make your way inside your cottage, take a close look around for any signs of animal damage. Some of the common signs to watch out for include droppings, chew marks, shed animal skins, and small sawdust piles. If you set any traps last time you visited, such as those for mice, now would be a good time to inspect them.
If you do find animal damage, repairing it is only one part of the equation. You will also want to determine what type of animal it was and take the appropriate action to ensure any potential infestation is taken care of. This may include spraying for spiders or wasp nests, seal holes and vents, adding mesh to block access to under the deck, or even setting mouse traps.
Review plumbing and electrical
When opening your cottage, it is vital to review your plumbing and electrical systems. This means inspecting the water pipes for signs of leaks or other issues, then turning the water back on when it is safe to do so. For those with cottages on a septic system, make sure to check on it regularly and schedule maintenance according to recommendations for your specific system.
Take some time to inspect the electrical system in your cottage and ensure everything is working as it should. You may need to replace light bulbs or frayed electrical wires. Call a licensed electrician for any issues you aren’t confident in repairing yourself.
Refresh your safety essentials
Safety is paramount at your cottage. Your safety review when opening your cottage for the summer should include the following tasks:
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing batteries and units as needed for fire safety
- Test emergency lights, night lighting, and flashlights, replacing bulbs and batteries as necessary
- Check contents of first aid kit, replenishing any items that are low
Protect the property between visits
Even if you’re likely going to spend a significant amount of time at your cottage in the summer, it’s still vital to protect your property between visits. For instance, you may wish to install automatic timers or smart home technology for indoor and outdoor lights to help make it look as if your cottage is occupied.
Another great way to protect your cottage is to install water mitigation devices, which can include the following:
- Battery-powered sump pumps
- Automatic shut-off valves
- Centrally monitored water and temperature sensors
These devices can help alert you to an issue early and allow you to act promptly. Additionally, you may also wish to arrange for a trusted neighbour to do regular check-ins on your cottage when you’re not there, particularly if there will be any extended absences.
Review your cottage insurance coverage
As you get your cottage ready for another summer of weekends at the lake, it’s important to review your insurance coverage, especially as seasonal properties often come with unique risks. Your policy should reflect how your cottage is being used, how often it’s occupied, and what you keep there.
A key part of reviewing your cottage insurance coverage is to discuss your policy, its limits, and any special conditions, with your broker. For instance, if your cottage sits empty between visits, it’s especially important to understand what your policy requires regarding unoccupied periods to keep your coverage in good standing.
In addition, you may also wish to include the following in the discussion with your broker:
- Any changes from the previous year, such as major renovations
- Update contents of the home, especially any high-value items
Enjoy the summer at your cottage
Opening your cottage is an exciting start to summer; it’s also a good time to protect your investment. Checking your property, addressing maintenance concerns, and reviewing your insurance coverage right away can help keep your property safe and give you greater peace of mind all season long.
When it comes to cottage insurance, a quick conversation with one of the experienced brokers at Cowan Insurance Group® can help ensure your property insurance policy reflects how you use your cottage and what you need to protect. Let’s make sure you can enjoy your time at the cottage with confidence!
