Open / Close Instructions
Summer (May – October)
Opening
- Turn on hot water heater at Fuse Box.
- Open Red gate valve under kitchen window.
- Open Blue gate valve on side of Pump House if you want water for Chicken House.
- Turn on hot water heater at Chicken House fuse box (inside Work Shop on the right).
Closing
- Turn off Hot Water Heater at Fuse Box.
- Turn off Hot Water Heater at Chicken House Fuse Box (inside Work Shop on the right).
- Close Red gate valve under kitchen window.
- Close Blue gate valve on side of Pump House.
Winter (November – April)
Opening
- Open Red gate valve on side of Pump House.
- Open Blue gate valve on side of Pump House if you want water to Chicken House.
- Open Red gate valve under kitchen window.
- Turn on Well and Hot Water Heater at Fuse Box.
Closing
- Turn off Well and Hot Water Heater at Fuse Box.
- Close Red gate valve under kitchen window.
- Open Red faucet on side of Wishing Well. When it stops running, close the faucet.
- Turn on Red faucet on the side of the Pump House to drain the Pressure Tank, then close it.
- Close the Red gate valve.
- Close the Blue gate valve.
- Drain Blue line at Blue faucet at Lower Grape Arbor, then close it.
- Turn off Hot Water Heater at the Chicken House Fuse Box (inside Work Shop door on the right).
Notice: We no longer use the water box under the bathroom window at the Chicken House to
open and close the blue line.
Water lines can break at any time. To protect the Chicken House, shut water off at the Pump House by closing the Blue gate valve and draining the line. The Main House is protected by closing the Red gate valve under the kitchen window.
Water lines can break at any time. To protect the Chicken House, shut water off at the Pump House by closing the Blue gate valve and draining the line. The Main House is protected by closing the Red gate valve under the kitchen window.
Always
- Turn off space heaters when leaving the house for any time.
- Fill wood box, leave wood and kindling for next person.
- Strip beds, wash sheets, fold and lay back on beds. Washing in warm water lets the washer fill faster — cold water may freeze the soap.
- Close all drapes.
- Water plants around house.
- Make sure all heaters are unplugged.
- Close doors between rooms.
- Never leave any food in the refrigerator or freezer — including condiments and drinks. If you brought it, take it. The fridge should have one container of each condiment; if more than one, take it with you, no duplicates.
- All garbage must be taken with you!
- Make sure cameras are plugged in (if you unplugged upon arrival).
Note: Do not even touch the Buckboard (horse drawn wooden wagon) behind the house
(between target area and chicken house). Very fragile!
If water pressure is low, clean screens out in faucet, shower head, or washing machine hose — they collect sand and stop them up.
If water pressure is low, clean screens out in faucet, shower head, or washing machine hose — they collect sand and stop them up.
Additional Leaving Checklist
- Are all windows and doors locked and all inside doors closed? (bedrooms, bathroom, pantry)
- Are all trash cans emptied?
- Dishes washed and put away?
- Laundry done?
- No broken bottles or any litter on property grounds.
- Refill wood bin inside house (kindling too).
