Your Summer Cottage Maintenance Checklist
Every summer we tell cottagers that summer maintenance isn't complicated. It's a handful of small checks, done consistently, that keep minor wear from turning into a major repair.
Here's what we'd walk your place through if you asked us.
Roof & Attic
Clear debris off the roof and out of the gutters
Check attic venting for ice damming, it is almost always a ventilation issue, not a shingle problem
Look for animal entry points around soffits and roofline
"That is typically a reflection upon venting. It doesn't matter what color your shingles are, it's all about venting."
Siding
Check for cracks, gaps, or hail damage
Inspect fascia and soffits for soft spots or rot
Touch up or reseal exposed wood trim
Decking
Check underneath not only underneath. The substructure usually fails first
Reseal the deck surface where needed
Reapply UV stain to exposed wood
Docks
Inspect for loose boards, rot, or worked-loose hardware
Planning any repairs or a renovation? Think through how materials are arriving at your dock so they can be unloaded safely
Remember docks take more abuse than decks – ice movement, water levels, and constant moisture add up over a season
If your site is boat access only, timing matters. Get ahead of material orders before the project starts, not once the crew is already on-site waiting.
If anything on this list has you second-guessing whether it's a quick fix or a bigger job, snap a photo and give us a call.
