Budget Propane Tips for Opening Your Cottage in the Spring

Spring has finally arrived and you probably have one thing on your mind – it’s time to go to the cottage! Opening up the cottage after a long winter can be time consuming, so here are some tips to get you started.

Turning on Your Propane Appliances

One of the first steps in opening your cottage is getting your appliances set back up. If you didn’t use your propane furance or appliances for the entire winter, spring is a great time to book an annual inspection. 

If you have already had a recent inspection, begin by inspecting the condition of the tank, hoses and connections.  If everything looks good, go ahead and open up all of your windows and then turn on your tank. Opening your windows is an important step – it will make sure your cottage is fully ventilated while also letting all of that fresh spring air into your cottage!

You can test for leaks in your propane lines by washing fittings and hoses with soapy water. If you see bubbles, there may be a leak. If you suspect a leak, either from bubbling soap around your hose or fittings or by detecting an odour in the air (that smells like rotten eggs!), leave your cottage immediately and contact us right away.

Once you have completed your inspections, you can go ahead and reconnect your appliances.  Before you turn on your water heater, make sure it’s filled with water.

When you’re opening your cottage, you should also:

• Inspect indoor and outdoor wiring for damage from rodents.
• Change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Visually inspect any power lines leading to your cottage and report damage to your utility company.
• Check your window and door screen for holes and replace if necessary.
• Reconnect your water pipes.
• Check the expiry date on your fire extinguisher and replace if expired.
• Clean debris off your property and inspect the treeline for potential safety hazards.
• Inspect your ceilings for any potential water damage.
• Check cupboards, dressers and appliances for animal nesting spaces.

Once you’ve tackled the main items on your list, you can focus your attention on cleaning and disinfecting the inside of your cottage.  And then sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the cottage season.

Interested in switching to propane? Contact us today for a free cottage propane quote:

We Deliver Quality Propane and Provide Friendly Customer Service Throughout Central Ontario!

Budget Propane Ontario supplies bulk propane to residential, commercial, and construction sites in central Ontario. Call us to discuss your needs and to learn about the benefits of using propane. 1 888 405.7777.