SEASONAL MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST FOR YOUR MOUNTAIN HOME

Owning a mountain home comes with a unique set of advantages and challenges. Of course, any homeowner who is fortunate enough to have a property in the mountains will likely tell you that the pros far outweigh the cons. This is especially true in an area as beautiful and serene as Breckenridge. We all understand the advantages of owning a mountain home. There is nothing quite like opening your window curtains or walking onto your balcony and witnessing a breathtaking view of rolling hills, green trees, blue skies, and clean air. Something about the serenity and privacy of a mountain home is something we miss whenever we are away from home.

While there is much to be appreciated about owning a mountain home, it does have its downsides, few and relatively insignificant as they may be, most of which revolve around maintaining them. Mountain homes can be difficult to manage and maintain. With the jaw-dropping views of the surrounding scenery naturally comes a necessity to protect the home from nature. Large amounts of snow, steep inclines, surrounding greenery, and insect infestations are all nuisances that have the potential of causing damage to a home. If the mountain home is used infrequently and serves mostly as a vacation home, finding a way to keep it in good condition while you are away can be a challenge.

The fast-paced and often chaotic nature of everyday life can often be enough to distract us from performing the maintenance on our mountain homes that will help to protect them against the elements and the natural wear and tear that all homes experience. When we do find a minute that we can dedicate to maintaining our house, it can be difficult to know where to start. Which things are most important? Which are time-sensitive? Which would be the best use of our time?

These questions can be difficult enough to answer that they leave us overwhelmed. And of course, the maintenance needs of every house depend on the situation, but there are a few things that are consistent among every house, and others are specific to mountain homes. In an effort to make life a little easier, which will, in turn, make the pros of owning a mountain home outweigh the cons more than they already do, here is a seasonal maintenance checklist for your mountain home.

SPRING CHECKLIST

• Drain your hot water heater.
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Replace the weather stripping around windows and doors, especially if you live in an area where it snows a lot.
• Inspect your basement for any leaks or cracks in the foundation. Promptly fix any that you find.
• Have your HVAC unit professionally inspected.
• Clean or replace the caulk in your bathrooms and kitchen(s).
• Inspect the outside of your home for cracks in the walls, paint that has chipped, and any other damage to the exterior of your house.
• Power wash the exterior of your home and attic.
• Clean the gutters of any leaves and other debris.
• Run your sprinkling system to find and fix any issues before summer.
• Deep clean the carpets.

SUMMER CHECKLIST

• Oil the tracks and chain of your garage door.
• Clean refrigerator and freezer coils.
• Check all kitchens and bathrooms for leaks. Pay special attention to sinks, toilets, baths, and showers.
• Prune all trees and shrubs.
• Check your house for any signs of infestations. Consider hiring preventive pest control services to stop infestations before they begin. This is especially beneficial for people who do not stay at their mountain home year-round.
• Tidy up your home.
• Repair or replace old or creaking doors.
• Trim or remove all vegetation that is growing too close to the house. This will help with your home’s appearance and decrease the risk of insect infestations.

FALL CHECKLIST

• Rake the leaves and aerate and apply fertilizer to your lawn.
• Check all fireplaces for damage. Clean the flues.
• Double check that there are no cracks near windows and doors.
• Inspect the roof and attic for damage and leaks.
• Replace any windows that are cracked or worn.
• Repair cracks in the driveway and walkways leading to the house.
• Drain and winterize all exterior pipes and plumbing.
• Inspect your water heater and fix any leaks.

WINTER CHECKLIST

• Clean the drains in your sinks, showers, bathtubs, and dishwashers.
• Tune up all major appliances.
• Keep your walkway shoveled as well as you can.
• Inspect the hoses on your washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator for leaks or wear.
• Make sure your sump pump is in good working condition.
• If you will be leaving your home for the winter, set the faucets to run at a drip. Insulate all pipes, and drain the pipes you can.
• If you will be leaving your home for the winter, keep the thermostat set at 60° or above.
• If you will be leaving your home for the winter, be sure to remove all perishable food items and take out the trash.

Of course, there are other things one must do to maintain their house, but this list is a great place to start. Every house’s needs are different, so some people might need to perform some of these tasks more than once each year. Be sure to do all of these things at least once a year. When it comes to taking care of your home, preventative maintenance is almost always easier and less expensive than fixing a problem. This is especially true for large problems such as a broken pipe, a garage falling off its track, and a flooded basement caused by a leaking window or crack in the foundation.

As you go about performing these seasonal maintenance requirements, you will be preserving the beauty and extending the life of your mountain home for years to come.