Kelowna - Cottage check-up

May 24 marked the unofficial start of summer, and that means cottagers across Canada are flocking to seasonal getaways to begin a yearly rite of cleaning, checking for winter damage and flipping on the utilities. Most of the work involved in a hassle-free cottage opening ought to have been done in the fall, when you closed it up, but don't let a little off-season negligence cloud your holidays. Put in a little up-front work and you can ensure a safe, fun summer, says Allstate Canada spokeswoman Amy Woods, who notes that most claims on summer properties aren't for theft but for wind, water or fire damage.

One of every 100 Allstate claims are for a loss at a seasonal home, Ms. Woods says. "While this means that claims on cottages are far less common, they are typically more severe, with the average cost of the claim being three times higher than those for primary residences."

TIPS:

- Be safe getting there. More people are buying cottages -- first-quarter recreational property sales are up 79% across Canada, Re/Max reports -- meaning every other cottager in Canada has the same idea you have. Plan for heavy traffic.

- Have your roof inspected, including the chimney. (Safety experts recommend having your chimney cleaned when you notice a quarter-inch of creosote buildup.) Winter storms can tear off shingles and sometimes whole roofs, and overhanging branches can mean trouble down the road. Trim your trees, clear your eavestroughs and remove any detritus that could become a projectile during a storm: lawn furniture, ornaments, barbecues. And while you're at it, check your barbecue's propane tank for leaks or blockages.

- Examine your home for any damage that accrued over the winter. Check for corroded wiring, split pipes and other damage that results from an improperly drained plumbing system. "Since this kind of damage is not generally covered by a homeowner policy, it's very important to ensure you take these precautions when closing your cottage," Woods says. "It's also important to speak with your insurance advisor to understand exactly what your policy covers."

- Pump out your septic tank regularly to avoid backups and soil leakage.

- Be smart about water safety. Besides the obvious--wear a life jacket, mind the currents, look before you dive -- take your dock out of the water in the fall, otherwise winter ice will damage or dislodge it. And be sure it's replaced properly for another round of summer wear and tear. (Another thing to keep in mind: Fibreglass is flammable, so store your boats safely. That means upside-down, at least one metre above ground and away from flammable materials.)

- To reduce the risk of fire damage, check any local restrictions before lighting a campfire. Make sure your cottage has decent smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and have fresh batteries on hand. (You can keep them next to the fire extinguishers you've placed on every floor.)

- Finally, don't leave food out. Wild animals are nice to look at, but they make for persnickety housemates.
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(prepared by Cody Winchester/National Post · Saturday, Jun. 12, 2010)