September in mid-coast Maine is beautiful — and it's also the time to start thinking seriously about closing your property for the season. Get it right and you'll open to a home in the same condition you left it. Get it wrong and you may return to burst pipes, mold, or pest damage that could have been avoided entirely.

Here's the full closing checklist we work through with our clients each fall.

Water damage is the single most expensive thing that can happen to an unoccupied Maine home in winter. Frozen pipes don't just leak — they can release hundreds of gallons before anyone notices.

Steps to winterize the plumbing:

1. Shut off the main water supply at the meter or well pump
2. Open every faucet in the house — hot and cold — to drain the lines. Start at the top floor and work down
3. Flush every toilet until the tank and bowl are empty. Pour RV antifreeze (non-toxic propylene glycol) into each toilet bowl and tank
4. Pour RV antifreeze into every drain trap: sinks, tubs, showers, floor drains. These traps hold water that will freeze and crack if left untreated
5. Drain the water heater completely — attach a hose to the drain valve and run it outside or to a floor drain
6. If you have a dishwasher, run a short cycle to clear the pump, then pour a cup of RV antifreeze into the bottom
7. Drain any outdoor hose bibs and disconnect all garden hoses
8. If you have a well, have a plumber blow out the lines with compressed air for complete protection

Even if you're not heating the home over winter, the heating system needs attention before you leave.

• Set the thermostat to 45–50°F if you're leaving any heat on (this protects pipes without running up a large bill)
• If shutting heat off entirely, drain the boiler and all radiators in a hydronic system
• Replace the furnace filter before closing — you'll want a fresh one when you open in spring
• Have the system serviced if it's been more than a year since the last tune-up

• Remove all food from the refrigerator and freezer. Leave both doors propped open slightly to prevent mold
• Unplug the refrigerator
• Clean the oven and stovetop thoroughly — food residue attracts pests
• Run the garbage disposal with water and a handful of ice to clean the blades, then pour a small amount of RV antifreeze down the drain
• Empty and clean the coffee maker; leave the reservoir open

A closed-up Maine cottage is an inviting winter home for mice, squirrels, and insects. Once they're in, the damage they cause — chewed wiring, insulation destruction, droppings — can be significant.

• Inspect the exterior for any gaps larger than a quarter inch. Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime
• Seal gaps around pipes, wires, and conduit where they enter the building with steel wool and caulk
• Check the foundation for cracks and seal them
• Place mouse bait stations or snap traps in the basement, crawlspace, and garage
• Remove any firewood stored against the house — it's a highway for insects and rodents
• Check that dryer vents, exhaust fans, and chimney dampers are closed

• Store or secure all outdoor furniture, cushions, and decorative items. Maine winter winds will destroy anything left out
• Drain and store garden hoses
• Shut off and drain any irrigation systems
• Clear gutters of leaves and debris — clogged gutters cause ice dams and water infiltration
• Trim any branches hanging over the roof that could come down under snow load
• Check that all windows and doors close and lock securely

• Unplug all electronics and small appliances to prevent phantom draw and protect against power surges
• Turn off the water heater at the breaker (if draining) or set to "vacation" mode
• Check smoke and CO detectors — replace batteries
• Take photos of every room before you leave. If something changes over winter, you'll have documentation
• Leave a key with a trusted neighbor or your home watch provider

Before you lock up, do a final walk-through and take photos. Note the condition of the roof, the basement, the exterior — anything that could change over winter. If you have a home watch service, share these photos so your provider has a baseline to compare against during winter visits.

Closing a property properly takes a few hours but saves thousands. If you'd like a professional to handle the closing — or to check in on your property through the winter — we cover all of mid-coast Maine. Call us at (207) 656-7058 or reach out online.