Mortensen Cabin
Open & Close Cabin Instructions
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Open Cabin (non-winteriezed, typically May – September)
If you are not sure if the cabin is winterized or not, ask Jim.
Water: (non-winterized)
When the cabin is NOT winterized, typically May thru September, the main water valve at the road could be ON or OFF when you arrive.
It depends on the number of days since the cabin was last occupied.
Go inside and check at the kitchen sink.
If the water is OFF, find the water main at the road, grab the T-handle that's hanging on the pine tree and turn the water ON.
After the toilets have filled, you shouldn't hear any water running.
Heater: (non-winterized)
If you need heat, simply adjust the thermostat located in the hall.
Water Heater: (non-winterized)
The water heater should be on when you arrive.
If the water heater is on, the Hot water at the sinks will be HOT not just warm.
If the water heater is off, it will either need to be turned up or lit.
If you are unsure how to light or turn up water heater, call one of us.
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​Closing Cabin (non-winterized)
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Water (non-winterized)
When closing the cabin during non-winterized months, it is best to check the cabin calendar and send a text to the next family coming in.
If they will be arriving in 2 or 3 days, leave the water on for them.
If it will be longer than 4 days, turn the main water valve off at the road using the T-handle that is hanging on the pine tree.
Water Heater (non-winterized)
Heater (non-winterized)
The thermostat is in the hall. Move temperature adjustment lever all the way to LEFT.
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Lighting:
When closing cabin, make sure all lights are off including outdoor floodlights.
Outdoor flood lights are located on the meadow side of cabin and at garage corners.
The switches are located at the front and back doors.
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Storage Shed & Tools
When closing cabin, make sure hatchets, axes and other tools are stored in shed and not left on porches.
Make sure storage shed is locked.
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Fridge:
It's ok to leave condiments in the refrigerator during the summer months, but do not leave cooked or uncooked foods in containers.
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Garbage:
Make sure all waste baskets are empty and that all garbage is hauled off.
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Open Cabin - Winter
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Start Downstairs:
1. Make sure gas valves to the Furnace & Water Heater are OFF.
2. Close the drain faucet on the Water Heater.
3. Close the 2 faucets on the north wall.
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Main Floor & Upstairs:
Turn OFF all faucets
1. Upstairs shower & sink
2. Main floor kitchen sink
3. Laundry room wash tub & washer hook-ups
4. Main bathroom tub & sink
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Outside:
You will need the padlock key hanging on the key rack & a flashlight.
1. Using T-handle that is hanging on the tree, open the main water valve out by the road.
2. Turn on the propane tank.
Using the padlock key you have, open the door that goes under the back porch.
1. Turn off the faucet on your left as you go in.
In the middle underneath are 2 pvc pipes sticking up out of the dirt, both of them have wood caps on them.
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Remove the drain cap, pull out the rags.
1. Close the drain valve, put the rags back in and the cap back on.
Remove the water cap, pull out the rags.
2. Open the water valve, 1/2 turn is enough.
Put the rags back in and the cap back on.
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Back into the cabin:
1. Go to each faucet and turn it on gently to let the air out.
2. The current cook top and oven have electronic ignitors, so no need to light pilots.
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Downstairs:
1. Light the Water Heater pilot and turn it on.
Replace all covers.
2. Plug in furnace and condensate pump.
Open Gas Valve on furnace.
Furnace is self lighting.
Adjust thermostat in hallway to your preference.
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Laundry Room:
1. Hookup Hot(red) & Cold(green) hoses to washing machine, snug tight with pliers.
Hot is left side, Cold is right.
2. Place the drain hose in the drain hole.
3. Turn on water water valves.
4. Plug in power cords for washer & dryer.
Now you are set to wash clothes and sheets before you leave!
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Note:
If you have closed all water valves and you can still hear water running somewhere, you have either missed a valve or have a leak somewhere.
If the leak is upstairs you will have already experienced water dripping into the kitchen.
If this is happening, go under the back porch and turn off the water.
If you don't want to ruin your stay, there is another valve that will shut the water off to the upstairs and you can survive with no water upstairs.
It is located underneath past the furnace, one for hot and one for cold.
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Have Fun!
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Close Cabin - Winter
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EVERYONE NEEDS TO GO POTTY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Fireplace Ashes:
Put ashes in metal five gallon bucket.
Take to outside faucet and run water into bucket to wet ashes.
Dump soupy ashes by north pasture fence.
(wire fence, not by the panels)
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Outside:
1. Turn main water valve off at the road.
2. Turn off propane at tank.
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Under back porch:
1. Turn off the water valve, replace rags and cap.
2. Open the drain valve, replace rags and cap.
3. Open the faucet on your right as you exit, water will come out.
4. Lock the door.
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Make sure padlock key gets put back on the key rack.
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In the cabin:
Starting downstairs
1. Open water heater drain faucet.
2. Open the 2 drain faucets on the north wall.
3. Close the gas valve on the water heater.
4. Close the gas valve on the furnace.
5. Unplug the furnace and condensate pump.
Go upstairs, walk out the back door, look to your right over the edge of the porch. If there is no water running out of the pipe sticking out of the cinder block wall, the water is frozen in that pipe.
Go in to the living room and get the tea pot off of the wood stove, go pour the hot water onto the pipe sticking out of the wall outside and water should almost immediately begin to shoot out.
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ALL WATER FAUCETS MUST BE OPENED, HOT AND COLD
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Upstairs:
1. Shower, pull open and rotate faucet both left and right several times. Leave faucet positioned with the arrow in the up position.
2. Sink, pull open and rotate faucet both left and right several times. Leave faucet positioned with the arrow in the up position.
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Main Floor:
1. Kitchen sink: Raise lever to open, move left & right several times.
Leaving in the up position.
Blow out the spray hose.(Put your lips around it, pull the lever and blow until the water is out.)
2. Laundry room tub, open both faucets all the way.
3. Make sure washing machine supply valves are open all the way.
4. Disconnect washer hoses, place in tub under the wash tub.
5. Take the drain hose out of the drain and place it in the tub with the other hoses.
6. Main bathroom sink, pull open and rotate faucet both left and right several times.
Leave faucet positioned with the arrow in the up position.
7. Main bathroom tub, pull open and rotate faucet both left and right several times.
Leave faucet positioned with the arrow in the up position.
ANTI-FREEZE
EVERY DRAIN AND TOILET MUST GET ANTI-FREEZE
ONE CUP (8 oz.) PER DRAIN
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Upstairs bathroom:
1. Flush toilet
2. Take lid off tank and get as much water out as possible.
(There is a small wet vac in the hall closet that you can use to suck the water out of the tank & bowl.)
3. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze into tank.
4. Put tank lid back on.
5. Pour 8 0z. of anti-freeze into toilet bowl.
6. Put toilet lid down.
7. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze into sink drain.
8. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze Ito shower drain.
9. Double check faucets to make sure they have been pulled and rotated to let water drain out.
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Kitchen:
1. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze in each sink hole.
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Laundry room:
1. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze in sink hole of wash tub.
2. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze in washer drain hole.
3. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze in washer drain pipe and blow on on the end of the drain pipe like a tuba.
4. Double check faucets to make sure they are all open.
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Main Floor Bathroom:
1. Flush toilet
2.Take lid off and and get a much water out as possible.
(There is a small wet vac in the hall closet that you can use to suck the water out of the tank & bowl.)
3. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze into tank.
4. Put tank lid back on.
5. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze into toilet bowl.
6. Put toilet lid down.
7. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze into sink drain.
8. Pour 8 oz. of anti-freeze into tub drain.
9. Double check faucets to make sure they have been pulled and rotated to let water drain out.
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REMEMBER, THE LAST THING INTO ANY DRAIN IS ANTI-FREEZE
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Trash:
Make sure all waste baskets are empty and trash is hauled off.
Fridge:
Make sure all food has been removed.
Lights:
Make sure all lights have been turned off.
Check all outdoor flood lights are off.
Unplug all lamps and night lights.
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Leave the cabin like you would want to find it.
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KITCHEN FLOOR MOPPED AND CARPETS VACUUMED!!!