X Appliance Inc.When a cottage sits empty all winter, the appliances are what greet you in spring. A fridge closed up wet grows mould. Water left inside a washer or dishwasher can freeze and crack parts. Mice move into dryers and chew wiring.
We service a lot of cottages and short-term rentals along the Lake Erie shore, from Selkirk to Port Dover. Most of the spring problems we see could have been avoided with ten minutes of work in the fall. Here's what we'd do before you lock the door.
1. Fridge and freezer
If the power will be off all winter, shut the fridge down completely:
- Empty everything, including condiments and the ice bin.
- Unplug it, or switch off its breaker.
- Let the freezer defrost. Put towels down to catch the water.
- Wipe the inside dry, including door seals and drawers.
- Prop both doors open a few inches. A closed, dark, damp fridge is how mould and that stubborn smell start.
If you leave the power and heat on over winter, the fridge can keep running. Set it to about 4°C, and the freezer to -18°C, and have someone check on it now and then. A fridge that quits in an empty cottage can go unnoticed for weeks.
2. Washer, dishwasher and ice maker: get the water out
Draining the cottage's pipes isn't enough. Washers and dishwashers hold water inside their pumps, valves and hoses, and it can freeze there.
- Washer: turn off both water taps behind it. Disconnect the fill hoses and let them drain. Run a short drain or spin cycle to empty the pump.
- Dishwasher: turn off its water supply. Some water always stays in the bottom (the sump). Check your manual: some brands give their own winter steps.
- Fridge ice maker or water dispenser: turn the ice maker off, empty the bin, and shut off the water line feeding it.
If you're not sure how your model drains, call us before closing up. It's easier than replacing a cracked pump in spring. We also do cottage closing visits in the fall and opening visits in the spring, so your appliances are shut down and started up properly.
3. Dryer: keep the mice out
A warm dryer full of lint is a perfect winter home for mice. They nest in the lint and chew through wires.
- Clean the lint filter, and the slot it sits in.
- Go outside and check the vent cap. The flap should close fully, and nothing should be stuck in it.
- Unplug the dryer if the cottage stays empty.
Some dryers also have a second lint filter inside the machine that most people never see. We find it packed on cottage and rental dryers all the time.
4. Renting it out this winter?
If your place stays open as an Airbnb, the appliances work harder with fewer people checking on them. Between guests, take two minutes to:
- Check the fridge is cold and the freezer is frozen solid.
- Clean the dryer lint filter.
- Look under the washer, dishwasher and fridge for water.
A broken fridge or a washer that won't drain in the middle of a stay is how you get a bad review.
A real one from our job list
We were called to an Airbnb at closing time. The last guests had mentioned a burning smell when they used the oven, so the owners wanted it checked before shutting the place down. When we pulled the oven out, we found the kitchen had been built with the wrong material underneath it: MDF board. The heat had been scorching it, and it was burnt black. Another few uses and it could have been a real fire.
The lesson: if a guest mentions a burning smell, stop using that appliance and get it looked at. Don't wait for the next booking.
5. Opening up in spring
- Look for mouse droppings or chewed wires before you plug anything in.
- Turn the water back on slowly and watch the hose connections for drips.
- Give the fridge a day to get cold before you stock it.
Need a hand?
X Appliance Inc. is a family-owned appliance repair business based in Haldimand County. We serve cottages and rentals from Selkirk to Port Dover and beyond. Call or text 905-531-7000, or send a request at xappliance.ca and we'll call you back. Hours: Mon–Fri 9–7, Sat 9–4, Sun closed.