How to Prepare a Vacation Home for the Off-Season

Your vacation home doesn't need to be a source of worry when it's
empty--whether it's a ski cabin that sits idle come May or a beachfront
cottage that you close up in November. Perform these tasks and
the house will stay snug and tidy until you return next season.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Remove all food from the house to discourage pests. If you must store staples such as sugar, flour or oatmeal in the house, keep them in sealed metal, glass or thick plastic containers.

2. Empty the refrigerator, defrost the freezer, prop open the doors and unplug. Place a box of baking soda or a tub of charcoal briquettes in the refrigerator to absorb odors. Fasten the door open so it cannot shut and trap a small creature or child inside.

3. Tilt your mattresses up against the walls (so air can circulate around them) and cover them with sheets. Cover upholstered furniture with sheets, too.

4. Open all doors (closets, bedrooms) to increase air flow.

5. Pour a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water into drains in freeze areas. (Check with your sewer company first--they may have a nontoxic alternative.)

6. Drain water from the plumbing system and turn off water at the main line, especially if you're closing a home for the winter. Do this even if you don't expect pipes to freeze, in case a pipe springs a leak.

7. Install a low-temperature thermostat if you plan to keep the furnace running over winter (see Tips). If not, shut off the gas or propane at the main. If the house sits empty during the hottest summer months, you might leave the air-conditioning on with a similar thermostat system.

8. Bring in lounge chairs, umbrellas, grills, toys, garden hoses and other outdoor items (see 147 Store a Boat for the Winter).

9. Trim trees away from the house and clean out the roof gutters. Consider installing screened covers for gutters so they don't clog with leaves if autumn is approaching. Put shutters on windows if necessary.

10. Cover your whole-house attic fan with heavy plastic if the house is idle in winter. Cover outdoor air conditioners, if the manufacturer suggests you do so.

11. Hire a year-round caretaker or a security company to check on your place periodically. Make sure your local contact has keys, can deal with any alarm system and knows how to reach you if there's a real problem.

Tips & Warnings

• In areas with high winter humidity, it's a good idea to leave the furnace on at low temperature, rather than turn it off entirely. This can prevent mold and mildew.
• If your vacation place has a satellite dish, disconnect it and bring it inside.
• If you get mail at your vacation home, be sure to file a forwarding order before you leave.