How to Close Up Your Summer House for the Winter

Now that the cookouts, hikes and bonfires are fading with the last licks of autumn, you may be planning to shut down your home until spring, be it in Upstate New York or elsewhere. Make sure your country getaway survives the snowstorms, freezing temps and determined pests that dominate the winters. Here’s a quick guide to keeping your house safe and snug until you return.

Plan ahead.
A week or two before your last visit, do a complete inspection of your property. Does anything need to be fixed before the cold weather sets in? Maybe it’s that leaky roof you ignored throughout the summer, or the dead, precarious tree that must be cut down before winter winds send it crashing onto the porch. Book the necessary contractors or strap on your tool belt and handle top-priority items ASAP.

Set aside a full day to roll out your final shutdown. It’s tempting to leave tasks until the moments before you head home, but unexpected surprises can pop up during final checks that require more time and effort than you may have at 9 p.m. on a Sunday. By giving yourself breathing room, you’ll pave a path for a smooth exit.

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Clean, pack and pest-proof.
Do a top-to-bottom scrub so you’ll return to a spic-and-span oasis in the spring. This includes cleaning appliances like your fridge, oven and toaster. As you move through cabinets and shelves, pack up perishable food to enjoy back in the city.

If there are nonperishable items you’d like to leave behind, tuck them safely away in pest-proof containers. Don’t invite the mice to a buffet of bagged rice and box crackers!

Speaking of mice — and all the other four-legged squatters who seek shelter from the cold — plug up any holes that can be used as pest entrances with steel wool. Set mouse traps in vulnerable areas including attics, boiler rooms and basements/cellars.

Consider having a friend or caretaker check in regularly to remove the casualties and reset traps (more on caretakers below).

Outside, make sure tools and furniture have been stored or covered and that garden hoses are coiled and neatly hung. It’s worth your while to muck out gutters, as you’ll need them to flow freely as snow melts off your roof. Have a professional assist if your gutters are hard to access or you prefer solid ground to shingles and ladder rungs.

Unplug appliances and electronics to protect them from power surges and lightning strikes.

Once your interior and exterior are both orderly and organized, take inventory of what you’re leaving behind and consider drawing a map of where important items lie. This will help anyone who may be checking in on your home and serve as refresher for you upon your return.

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Care for your water pipes.
Cold temps can be a plumbing nightmare if pipes freeze and burst. Avoid the drama by turning off your water and draining your pipes and water tanks. Don’t forget the pipes that go to your garden hose, washing machine or outdoor shower.

Plumbing networks vary by home, but the important thing is to first shut off the main water valve and turn off the power to any pumps. Then, open all of your faucets and flush your toilets. Pour a few cups of nontoxic RV antifreeze down the drains to ensure water lingering in traps won’t ice over. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on emptying water heaters if needed.

If you decide to keep your water on for the winter, you’ll need to maintain a temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit to keep pipes from freezing. Wrap thermostat-controlled heat tapes around exposed pipes that run under or around the exterior of your house.

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Schedule care and ongoing winter maintenance.
Enlist an extra set of eyes to watch over your home while you’re away. Whether it’s a friend, trusted neighbor or service, it’s a great help and comfort to know that someone’s on the lookout for your home’s needs and any hint of trouble.

Your caretaker or team of winter helpers can: empty and replace mousetraps, shovel and plow snow from driveways, walks and roof, perform security checks on your home and outbuildings, clear outdoor debris, collect your mail and more. Ultimately, they will provide overall peace of mind that your home away from home is safe.

[Photos by Rebecca Louie]

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