Aerial View of Old Town - Fall Photo:

PARK CITY, Utah — As fall settles over Park City, homeowners are urged to prepare their properties for the winter months ahead. At Sea to Ski, a boutique, non-rental home management company, the focus during this transitional period is on thorough seasonal maintenance to ensure homes are equipped to handle the demands of winter. Proper maintenance now can prevent costly issues later, allowing homeowners to enjoy a trouble-free winter season. Focusing on these five tasks is key to prepare your home for winter—

Landscaping and Water Management
Roofing Inspections
Heating Systems
Deep Cleaning
Concierge Services

Landscaping and Water Management

Effective property management starts with a focus on both exterior and interior upkeep. Each season brings unique challenges; fall is the time to address potential vulnerabilities. A final yard clean-up should be completed in the fall to prepare the lawn for a healthy start in the spring. This helps deter pests, such as voles, and prevents debris from affecting growth.

“Water management is crucial, especially in desert communities like ours,” said Matt Stevens, Sea to Ski Services Manager, referencing the delicate balance between using water as a resource and preventing it from causing property damage.

Years ago, Sea to Ski took on a new client mid-winter who had recently purchased their Park City home. The previous owner had neglected to get the fire suppression system serviced. Because the system didn’t have adequate glycol levels, before they knew it, several of the pipes had frozen and were in danger of bursting. Needless to say, they got their new client onto a regular servicing schedule to avoid any future disasters.

Other preventative measures are storing outdoor furniture after the decks and patios have been cleaned and ensuring garage overhead doors are tuned up will help avoid malfunctions during the colder months.

Roofing Inspections

Additionally, gutters and driveway drains must be cleared to ensure proper water flow. This means also inspecting roofing conditions and testing heat tape to prevent ice dams. Ice dams can lead to serious interior damage if not properly managed. “From the ground, it’s often hard to see what’s going on up there, but neglecting your gutters can result in major problems,” Scott Benson, Managing Partner, Director of Operations, explained.

Sea to Ski once took on a new client in the fall who had just purchased a new home. Prior to closing, the new homeowner was told the outdoor sprinklers had been properly blown out before winter, but the first freeze proved otherwise—a pipe burst, causing the ceiling in a bedroom closet to collapse. Along with the debris, dead squirrels and mice fell through, revealing that the house had entry points for pests and lacked proper pest control. This is a stark reminder of what can happen when essential winter preparation and routine services, like quarterly pest control, are neglected.

Heating Systems

Interior maintenance is equally important. Heating systems, including boilers, furnaces, humidifiers, and water softeners, require seasonal servicing to ensure they function efficiently when needed most. Smoke detector and thermostat batteries should be replaced regularly to maintain safety and energy efficiency. To prevent fire hazards, dryer vents should be cleaned and chimneys inspected, especially heading into the months when homeowners are consistently running their fireplaces. It’s essential to stress the importance of preventative maintenance ahead of the winter months to avoid these costly repairs.

Homeowners should also comply with any local inspection requirements for fire and backflow prevention systems.

Deep Cleaning

Cleaning tasks are also critical in preparing a home for winter. Seasonal deep cleaning of surfaces, floors, and upholstery helps maintain a pristine living environment. It’s also advisable to schedule professional carpet and window cleaning before the ski season starts. To prevent fire hazards, dryer vents should be cleaned and chimneys inspected. Outdoor grills should be thoroughly cleaned after a long summer of use to ensure continued enjoyment of grilling during the winter months.

Concierge Services

Sea to Ski also handles all concierge services, adding convenience during this busy season. From detailing vehicles and switching to snow tires ensures safe driving conditions. To tuning ski and snowboard equipment for the upcoming ski season.

“It’s not just about hiring anyone for the job,” Stevens noted. “We maintain strong relationships with our preferred vendors, which means priority scheduling and peace of mind for our clients.”

Homeowners can also utilize Sea to Ski to coordinate experience packages and culinary reservations for the winter, as well as preparing grocery and beverage delivery orders to streamline their arrival.

“At the end of the day, we’re here to represent our clients’ best interests,” said Benson. ” Proactive maintenance is the key to preserving value and taking care of a client’s beloved home and asset.”

Sea to Ski’s familiarity with the local market allows them to offer tailored advice that helps homeowners protect and enhance the value of their vacation properties. The company emphasizes the importance of proactive maintenance and offers personal consultations to address specific needs. With extensive experience managing vacation homes in the Intermountain West, Sea to Ski understands the homeowner’s perspective and the significance of safeguarding these investments.

“We haven’t seen everything that can go wrong, but I’d say we’ve seen close to most. That’s allowed us to build a rock solid winter preparation checklist specific to each of our client’s homes. Of course, everyday is different in this business, but these prep checklists help us mitigate against almost all catastrophes,” Benson shared.

As winter approaches, taking the time to prepare can make all the difference. By addressing these key maintenance tasks, homeowners in Park City can look forward to a smooth, enjoyable winter season. For more information or to schedule services, contact Sea to Ski.