Closing up for the season
- Empty the lint trap, then clear lint from the vent pipe and the outside hood.
- Check that the hood flap closes snugly. A flap stuck open is an invitation to a squirrel or a mouse.
- Cover or close off supply and return openings if your system allows it, and note what you covered so you remember in spring.
- Shut off gas appliances following the manufacturer's instructions. Anything involving a gas line or electrical work is for a licensed professional.
Opening the cabin in spring
- Walk the cabin and look into each register and return grille with a flashlight before turning anything on.
- Check the dryer vent hood outside for nests, leaves, or ice-damaged parts.
- Notice smells. A musty or sharp odor when the fan starts may mean something has been living in the ducts.
- Change the furnace filter before the first long stretch of heating.
When a cleaning makes sense
If you find droppings, chewed material, a lot of dust at the registers, or a smell that does not go away, it is worth having the ducts and vent looked at. A cabin that sits closed through a long Northwoods winter can collect more than you expect, and cleaning may help the first weekend of the season feel better.
Common questions
Should I run the furnace fan right after opening the cabin?
Check the registers and returns for droppings, nesting material and debris first. Running the fan with a blocked or dirty duct can push dust and odors through the whole cabin.
Can mice or squirrels really get into cabin ducts and dryer vents?
They can. An open duct end, a broken hood flap or a gap around a vent pipe can give animals a sheltered way in, especially while a cabin sits empty for months.
Do I need to do anything to the dryer vent before closing for winter?
Clear the lint trap, remove lint from the vent and hood, and make sure the hood flap closes snugly so animals and drafts stay out. Shut off any gas dryer following the manufacturer's instructions.
Who should handle gas or electrical work on cabin appliances?
Gas lines, gas appliances and electrical work should be handled by a licensed professional. Duct and vent cleaning is a separate job from that kind of work.
Want a hand? See our cleaning services or where we work.