The long wait is finally over: It’s time to open up your getaway property. As the warmer weather settles in, the chores at the cottage or trailer begin. While this always seems like a never-ending and daunting task, opening the cottage for the season is very rewarding. 

To make sure you have time to relax on the deck, cold drink in hand, we’ve compiled a checklist of tasks you absolutely need to do so you can make the most of the first time out.

Before you go

There’s nothing worse than arriving at the cottage or trailer to realize you’ve forgotten something. Sure, you’ll always need to make one more trip to the hardware store, but the better prepared you are, the more quickly you’ll be able to kick back and relax.

• Be sure that everything is insured and you know where the documents are. This includes boat, trailer, and cottage/trailer insurance. And if you’re pulling a trailer, be sure to test all the lights and connections before your family is loaded into the car.
• Remember to bring all keys you’ll need. Track them down and make sure you bring them with you.

• Put a toolkit together. Figure out which ones you’re going to need and pack them. And don’t forget the duct tape!

• Gather some cleaning supplies. You’re definitely going to need to do a little bit of cleaning. Even if all you do is wipe off the deck chair, you’ll need to have the right equipment to do it!
• If you’re going to need filters or batteries, then charge them and pack them. And obviously you’ll need clothes, water and food.
• Make sure your electricity is turned on and your propane tanks are full.  Be sure to phone any other services you’ll need before heading up. It’s always best to do this before the weekend to be sure someone can help you.

On arrival

After this year’s dramatic spring, there’s no telling what could be waiting for you when you arrive at your property, especially if you haven’t been there all winter. The first thing you’ll want to do is look around for any outdoor or indoor issues that need to be fixed.

• Check for any damage to power lines, phone lines, the chimney, the deck, the dock, windows, screens, and under the cottage/trailer at the posts, pads, and beams
• After surveying your property, head inside and check cupboards and counter tops for signs of mice or other animals, and look for any water damage that may have occurred over the winter

Tuning up

Before the relaxation begins, start the cottage/trailer season off right with a few minor chores that will make sure everyone is safe and sound for the summer.

• Replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

• Make sure your fire extinguishers are charged

• Replace batteries in any flashlights

• Clean the eaves troughs
• Powerwash the siding
• Spray for spiders and other annoying critters

• Clear any large branches off the building and trim any that may have become too close to your cottage/trailer over the winter
• Check and replace any filters that need to be changed

Turning on the taps

Perhaps the most involved part of opening the cottage/trailer is getting your water system going. If you have a pump that draws directly from the lake, here are the steps to get it up and running.

• Inspect all lines for signs of damage

• Replace the pump’s filter

• Prime the pump

• Open a cold-water tap in your cottage/trailer, and be sure the cold-water valve to your hot water tanks is closed

• Switch on the water pump at the panel box

• Open all valves between the pump and your cottage/trailer

• Open all cold water taps to remove air from the system
• Close all the taps and look for leaks and hissing

Turning on the hot water

Once your water is running, you may need to fill your hot water tank with water before turning it on. If so, it’s pretty simple, really, but there are a number of steps you should follow, to ensure you do it right.

• Be sure the hot water tank is off and all your taps are closed

• Connect a hose to the drainage valve and run it outside. Open that tap

• Open a hot water tap

• Close the drainage valve

• Turn on the cold water intake to fill the tank

• Watch the open hot-water tap. Once water is flowing through it, the tank is full
• Turn on the hot water tank, and watch for leaks

That’s it! You’ve got water, hot water, a shelter, and electricity. What else do you need? You remembered the cooler of cold beer, right?