Written by Elizabeth Almodobar
Owning a home on Nantucket offers countless benefits along with responsibilities. It's essential to ensure that your home is properly cared for and secure both when you are on the island and when you are not. Advanced communication and preparation with your caretaker and your various subcontractors are essential.
Putting your house to bed for the Winter
The decision to turn off or leave on water and electricity depends on personal preference, where the house is located, and what systems you may want to keep running while your property is empty. If you leave your electricity on, you can lower the bill by unplugging unnecessary appliances. While you may want to turn off the circuit breaker for some systems, you should at least leave on the electricity that powers your alarm systems and your lights. You can use an app on your smartphone to program your lights, so they turn on and off, which makes your home appear occupied. If you turn off the electricity to your refrigerator, clean it out, put some baking soda inside to absorb moisture, and leave the refrigerator door open to prevent mold. Shutting off the water at the main is often advisable as it reduces the chance of water leakage and subsequent damage. Plumbers should be hired to shut off the water, winterize the system, and drain/ shut off the outdoor showers and faucets. Keeping your house at an even temperature and monitoring humidity remotely can help mitigate or prevent issues. Many homeowners install low-temperature alarms. You should discuss the various options with your caretaker to decide the best plan of action for your home.
Pest Control Contracts
Schedule regular treatments throughout the year. Thoroughly cleaning your house before you leave for an extended time can help prevent pest issues. Get rid of all your food other than canned goods. Unopened food can be donated to the local food pantry.
Schedule cleaners for end-of-season deep clean. Storing linens and bedding in plastic helps to preserve them. Close all blinds and cover upholstered furniture with linens.
Preparing Your Vacation Home for Severe Weather
If your vacation home is in a location prone to hurricanes or strong winds, you may want to install hurricane shutters. If your home is in a flood zone, maintain flood insurance. Install moisture or water-level sensors to alert you to water issues.
Home Security
Home Security Systems afford peace of mind while your home is empty. Motion-sensitive exterior lights and programmable interior lights can also be helpful. Whether your home has a centrally monitored alarm system, make sure that your emergency systems, such as a fire alarm, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors, are operational with batteries or by keeping your electricity running. Test all your detectors and install fresh batteries before you lock up for the season. If you leave any valuables behind, use a fireproof safe or an offsite safe deposit box to keep everything secure. Friends and neighbors who are permanent residents can also be valuable sources. Make sure that they know how to contact you and your caretaker.
Leaving a Car at Your Vacation Home
If you leave a car at your vacation home, the winter elements can damage your car. If you want to start the vehicle immediately upon your return, put on a solar charger; these are inexpensive and will help ensure your battery is good to go when you arrive. You might also ask your caretaker to remove and then replace the car battery.
Insurance Coverage for Your Vacation Home
Contact your homeowner's insurance company to ensure you have sufficient coverage for your vacation home given its location and specific needs.
Interior Winterization Checklist
- Confirm that your caretaker is scheduled for regular visits while the home is unoccupied
- Lower the heat and confirm that your home is scheduled for regular fuel delivery
- Turn down the water heater
- Turn off your water at the main shut-off
- Stop or forward your mail
- Unplug electronics
- Set a few lights on timers
- Empty the refrigerator and cupboards and consider donating unopened food to the local food pantry
- Schedule cleaner for end-of-season cleaning
- Schedule regular pest control
- Check with your homeowner's insurance company that your policy is current and comprehensive
- Schedule heating and air conditioning maintenance and service, including changing filters
- Schedule Dryer Vent cleaning
- Complete any necessary painting or repairs
Exterior Winterization Checklist
- Inspect the roof. If you find damage, make repairs accordingly
- Remove dead trees or overhanging limbs that could cause damage
- Clean the gutters
- Shut off and drain outdoor water faucets and outdoor showers
- Schedule the irrigation system to be winterized and drained
- Landscaper for fall clean up
- Put away outdoor furniture, grills, garbage cans, and other accessories
- Lock shed and garage doors, latch gates and outdoor showers
- Contact your Rubbish & Recycling Provider to suspend service temporarily
- If your vacation home has a pool, schedule with your pool company to service and winterize your pool
- Swap screens for storm windows
Transitioning from your primary residence back to your vacation home can be smooth when you have taken steps to secure your home. How you decide to winterize your home should be a discussion between you and your caretaker. Planning and preparation afford you peace of mind and allow you to enjoy your vacation home and anticipate returning to it each year with ease to make more happy memories.