What we check — every visit.

Heat & freeze protection

The #1 winter catastrophe — and what most insurers require documented.

• Heat on and actually working — thermostat reading recorded on every visit
• Minimum temperature holding throughout the cottage, no cold spots
• No signs of frozen, split, or leaking pipes
• Low-temperature and water-leak sensors reporting
• Fuel level for heat (propane / oil) sufficient for the stretch ahead
• Winterized cottages: drain-down and antifreeze in traps and toilets holding

Waterfront & shoreline

Rideau Canal cottages have demands a suburban home never sees.

• Dock: shifting, ice heaving, buckling, loose or missing hardware
• Bubbler / de-icer: power, clean props, warning signs in place
• Boat lifts, marine railways, and watercraft tie-downs secure
• Shoreline: retaining walls, rock gabions, and beach for washouts
• Stored canoes, kayaks, and small craft locked and clear of water level
• Boathouse and shore-power connections checked

Water systems & plumbing

Rural wells and septic behave nothing like town utilities.

• Well pump, pressure tank, and pressure switch — leaks or short-cycling
• UV purification status, sediment filters, and water softener
• Septic bed: pooling water, spongy ground, or odour
• Sump pump operation, float movement, and backup battery
• Run water to keep P-traps sealed against septic gas
• Main shutoff located and operable; hot water tank checked

Fire, gas & life safety

The checks that protect people, not just property.

• Smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors tested; batteries fresh
• Fire extinguisher present, charged, and accessible
• Propane: tank level and gauge, regulator, lines, and a smell check
• Woodstove, hearth, chimney, and damper — drafts or animal nesting
• No gas odours anywhere in or around the cottage

Security, connectivity & monitoring

We confirm your tech is actually working — and go look when it isn’t.

• Alarm system armed and functioning
• Security cameras online and recording
• Wi-Fi / internet up; smart thermostats and sensors reporting
• Doors, windows, and outbuildings (bunkie, shed, boathouse) locked
• Lockbox and keys verified; no signs of entry or vandalism

Climate & mechanical systems

• Furnace, baseboards, or heat pump matched to seasonal settings
• Humidistat / dehumidifier — moisture, wood rot, or mould risk
• Main breaker panel: tripped circuits from rural grid swings
• Standby generator showing a green “ready” status
• GFCI outlets and interior/exterior lighting

Structure, roof & exterior

• Roofline and trees scanned for damage or hazardous limbs
• Eavestroughs and downspouts clear; ice-damming in winter
• Foundation, grading, decks, stairs, and railings
• Exterior hose bibs drained; window wells clear of leaves and water
• Winter: roof snow load, and clear access to the propane tank and doors

Perimeter & wildlife

In cottage country, the critters are relentless.

• Entry points or damage from mice, red squirrels, raccoons, or bats
• Vents, soffits, and chimney caps screened and intact
• Wasp and hornet nests around eaves and structures
• Attic and crawlspace evidence — droppings, nesting, chew marks

Interior walk-through

• Ceilings and walls scanned for water staining or condensation
• Under every sink and fixture for slow drips
• Fridge, freezer, and coolers cycling normally (power confirmed)
• Musty smell or visible mould; humidity in check
• Pest traps and droppings in pantries and utility spaces