The Ultimate Seasonal Home Maintenance Guide for Martha’s Vineyard Homeowners

Here is the short version for busy homeowners: Martha’s Vineyard home care is not optional; it is protection. The island’s salt, storms, and seasonal vacancies create unique risks.¹ Your most critical task is fall winterization: you must drain every drop of water from your plumbing to prevent catastrophic pipe bursts.³ Spring is for a professional ‘soft wash’ to remove corrosive salt ⁵ and to safely restart your systems. Summer requires managing high humidity to prevent mold ⁶ and having a solid hurricane plan.⁷ Finally, a vacant home must be professionally monitored all winter ³ to protect your investment.

The Vineyard Difference: Why Island Home Maintenance is Not Business as Usual

Owning a home on Martha’s Vineyard is a unique privilege. The island’s serene landscapes, coastal charm, and picturesque towns from Chilmark to Edgartown offer a retreat from the everyday.¹ However, this unique environment also presents a unique and demanding set of challenges for homeowners. Standard maintenance checklists are simply not enough; a Martha’s Vineyard property requires a specialized, proactive strategy for its preservation.

The core challenge lies in a high-stakes combination: a harsh, corrosive coastal climate paired with the reality of seasonal vacancy.² Many island homes sit empty for long stretches, particularly during the brutal off-season. This vulnerability exposes the property to four significant threats:

1. Relentless Salt Air: The romantic notion of “salty air” is a harsh reality for home exteriors. This corrosive aerosolized salt actively accelerates the deterioration of materials ¹⁰, causing paint to fade and peel ¹², metal fixtures to corrode ¹³, and window glass to become permanently etched.¹³
2. Pervasive Humidity: The damp, humid air, especially in summer, creates a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.¹² In a sealed-up home, this can lead to “musty odors” and significant indoor air quality issues.¹⁴
3. Intense Coastal Storms: The island is a front-line target for severe weather. This includes winter Nor’easters that bring hurricane-force winds ¹⁵, blizzards, and summer hurricanes, all of which cause significant erosion, flooding, and wind damage.¹⁶
4. The Vacancy Disaster: The single most common and costly source of damage is water from a burst pipe in a vacant home.⁶ An island plumber recounted the nightmare scenario of a pipe that burst and ran for two weeks before a caretaker discovered it, creating a “small glacier” down the side of the house and causing catastrophic damage.⁴

This guide is structured by the four island seasons to help you build a comprehensive preservation strategy. This is not about simple chores; it’s about advanced investment protection. This is the core philosophy of professional property management: proactive, expert maintenance is the only way to ensure your island home is protected, whether you are in residence or not.

The At-a-Glance Seasonal Calendar: Your Martha’s Vineyard Maintenance Plan

To protect your investment, your maintenance plan must align with the island’s distinct seasonal threats. Here is a high-level overview of the entire year.

Spring: The Great Reawakening (De-Winterizing & Repair)

Spring on the Vineyard is a time for assessment and recovery. The goal is to inspect for winter’s damage, safely reverse the winterization process, and prepare all home and landscape systems for the busy season.

Exterior & Envelope: Assessing Winter’s Toll

Your first task is a full, 360-degree inspection of the home’s exterior envelope. Winter storms and Nor’easters can be brutal, and you must look for any damage they’ve left behind. Check for missing or damaged roof shingles, loose siding, or damaged flashing around chimneys and vents.

Next, clean all gutters and downspouts of any debris. This is not just a fall task. Gutters clogged with winter debris can lead to ice dams, which force water up and under your shingles, causing roof and attic leaks.

Perhaps the most critical spring task is the professional “spring wash.” Your home’s exterior is coated in a winter’s worth of corrosive salt, grime, and mildew. It is essential to schedule a professional “soft wash”. This is not a high-pressure power wash, which can damage cedar shingles or painted trim. A soft wash uses low pressure and calibrated, ecosystem-safe solutions to neutralize the salt and kill the mildew, protecting your paint and siding. This is especially important in harborside Edgartown, which is exposed to direct salt spray, and Vineyard Haven, which contends with ferry dust and pollen.

Finally, service your windows and outdoor spaces. Clean all windows, inside and out, to remove the hazy salt film that built up over winter; a mild vinegar-and-water solution is effective for this. Inspect all window screens for tears and repair or replace them. This is your first line of defense against summer pests. Inspect wooden decks for rot or loose boards , and pressure wash patios, walkways, and outdoor furniture to prepare them for the season.

Systems Check: Powering Up for the Season

Opening the home’s utilities is a delicate operation. Start by de-winterizing the plumbing. Re-open the main water supply and hook up all exterior hoses. Test outdoor faucets and showers. The real work, however, is inside. Go through the house and slowly turn on every faucet, one by one. As you do, check every P-trap, toilet base, and appliance connection (icemaker, dishwasher, washing machine) for any sign of a leak. This confirms that your fall winterization was successful and that no pipes cracked from the cold.

Next, focus on your HVAC system. Your air conditioning is about to be put under heavy load from the island’s summer humidity. Schedule a professional A/C service now, before the season begins. A technician should change all air filters, clean the exterior coils (which are especially vulnerable to salt air), and ensure the system is running efficiently. The island has a robust network of HVAC professionals for a reason: the coastal environment is uniquely hard on these systems.

As soon as you are in the home, perform a full safety check. Test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector and replace all batteries. Check the charge on all fire extinguishers.

Landscaping & Grounds: The Spring Pest and Lawn Offensive

Begin by raking up all remaining leaves, sticks, and debris from lawn and garden beds. This is not just for aesthetics; that layer of debris traps moisture, encourages mold, and provides a perfect habitat for pests.

Get your lawn equipment serviced, including sharpening the mower blades. A sharp blade cuts grass cleanly, making it less susceptible to disease. This is also the time to aerate the lawn if the soil is compacted and to apply a spring fertilizer. On Martha’s Vineyard, it is critical to use a slow-release, organic fertilizer that enriches the soil without harming the island’s delicate ecosystem and watersheds. Consider using native, drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping, as they are adapted to the island’s sandy soil and climate.

Turn on and test your irrigation system, walking the property to check every sprinkler head for damage from winter frost or snowplows.

Finally, spring is the beginning of the war on pests. As temperatures rise, ticks, carpenter ants, termites, and carpenter bees become active. Carpenter ants and bees are drawn to damp wood, often from small, unnoticed winter leaks. Schedule your initial now to apply a protective barrier to the property and prevent these pests from establishing a foothold.

Summer: Active Protection & Hurricane Readiness

Summer is the season of active management and enjoyment. While your home is in peak use, the maintenance goals shift to combating the daily environmental assault from humidity and pests, and, most importantly, maintaining a constant state of readiness for the primary summer threat: hurricanes.

The Constant Battle: Managing Humidity, Pests, and Salt

The summer air on Martha’s Vineyard is thick with humidity. This moisture is a primary threat to your home. It is critical to run your air conditioning and dehumidifier systems consistently, even when you are away for a few days. This prevents moisture buildup, protects interior furnishings, and stops the “musty odors” that signal the start of a mold problem.

Summer is also peak season for mosquitoes and ticks, which are not just an annoyance but a serious health risk on the island. Maintain a regular, professional pest control program throughout the summer to keep your outdoor living spaces comfortable and safe. The island also has unique challenges with destructive pests like skunks, raccoons, and squirrels, which require professional management.

The corrosive salt air does not stop. To prevent it from baking onto surfaces in the hot sun, a quick, fresh-water rinse of decks, patio furniture, and metal light fixtures every few weeks can go a long way in preventing long-term corrosion and pitting.

Hurricane Preparedness: A Non-Negotiable Summer Task

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and its most active period for New England is typically late August and September. This coincides with peak vacation time, which means you must have a plan in place long before a storm watch is issued.

First, know your risk. Learn if your home is in a designated hurricane evacuation zone. Critically, review your insurance and understand your flood risk; most standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Second, build your emergency kit. This kit should be stocked and ready before the season begins. It must include a battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, and at least three days of non-perishable food and water.

Third, understand the alerts. A “Hurricane Watch” means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. This is your signal to begin your action plan. A “Hurricane Warning” means hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours.

Your 48-Hour Action Plan (at the “Watch” level) should include:

• Fueling your vehicles and getting extra cash.
• Charging all cell phones, laptops, and portable power banks.
• Bringing in or securing all outdoor objects. This is the most critical exterior task. Patio furniture, grills, planters, umbrellas, and even heavy benches become dangerous projectiles in hurricane-force winds.
• Securing all windows with storm shutters or pre-cut boards.
• Mooring your boat securely or having it hauled out of the water.

This entire checklist becomes impossible if you are off-island when a storm forms. This is one of the most vital functions of a professional . They serve as your on-island proxy, executing your storm plan to batten down the hatches and secure your home while you are safely elsewhere.

Maintaining Outdoor Living Spaces

Summer maintenance also involves a few routine tasks to keep your outdoor spaces safe and functional. Regularly inspect any backyard playsets or swing sets, as heavy use can loosen connections. Clean and inspect your grill before and after use. Finally, keep an eye on your gutters. Heavy summer thunderstorms can drop a lot of water and debris, and a clogged gutter can quickly cause water to back up against your foundation.

Fall: The Most Critical Season (Winterization & Protection)

This is the most important maintenance season of the year. There is no room for error. Failure in the fall guarantees catastrophic, costly damage by spring. This is not “fall cleaning”; this is a technical, systematic shutdown designed to protect a vacant, multi-million dollar asset from the ravages of a coastal winter.

The Exterior Shutdown: Prepping for Nor’easters

Your fall shutdown begins outside. The single most important exterior task is the final gutter cleaning. After all the leaves have fallen from the trees, your gutters and downspouts must be cleared completely. Clogged gutters are the number one cause of winter ice dams. These dams of frozen water force melting snow upwards under your shingles, leading to severe roof leaks, saturated attic insulation, mold, and even collapsed ceilings.

While the gutters are being cleaned, inspect the roof for any loose shingles and check the siding and trim. Walk the property and caulk any gaps around windows, doors, and utility entry points to prevent winter drafts and, more importantly, water intrusion.

Next, “batten down the hatches” for winter Nor’easters. This is not an optional step. All outdoor furniture, umbrellas, grills, planters, and benches must be brought inside, stored in a shed, or professionally secured and covered. A winter gale can easily pick up a patio chair and send it through a window, compromising the entire home.

Finally, just as in the spring, a “final wash” is highly recommended. This removes the summer’s accumulation of salt, pollen, and grime , ensuring these corrosive agents aren’t sitting on your home’s surfaces for the next six months.

The #1 Priority: Complete Winterization to Prevent Catastrophe

If you remember only one thing from this guide, let it be this: water is your enemy. A single frozen pipe that bursts can release hundreds of gallons of water per hour, resulting in tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in water damage, mold remediation, and structural repairs. This process is the #1 defense.

The Water Shutdown Procedure:

1. Shut Off Main Supply: Locate and close your home’s main water shut-off valve. This is the source.
2. Drain Every Line: Once the main is off, open every single faucet in the house (hot and cold). Start on the top floor and work your way down to the lowest point, like a basement sink, to let gravity drain all lines.
3. Exterior Spigots: Disconnect and drain all garden hoses. Ensure all exterior spigots and outdoor showers are shut off from an interior valve and drained completely.
4. Irrigation Systems: This is a professional job. Your sprinkler system must be “blown out” with a high-volume air compressor to force every drop of water from the lines and heads.
5. Appliances (The Forgotten Culprits): These are common failure points. You must drain the water lines to your refrigerator’s icemaker, your washing machine, and your dishwasher.
6. Toilets & Drains: Flush every toilet to empty the tank. Use a sponge to sop all remaining water from the bowl. Then, pour a small amount of non-toxic RV antifreeze into every toilet bowl and every sink drain. This will settle in the P-trap, preventing any remaining trapped water from freezing, cracking the porcelain or pipe.

Interior Fortification: Pest-Proofing and Final Checks

Once the water is off, the interior must be secured. Have your heating system professionally serviced. This is crucial.

NEVER turn your heat completely off. Set all your thermostats to a “maintenance temperature,” typically between 50°F and 55°F. This serves two critical functions: it provides a last line of defense for any small amount of water you may have missed, and it prevents mold and mildew from growing in the damp, sealed-up winter air.

A deep interior clean is a critical part of pest prevention. Remove all food from the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. A common disaster is a winter power outage that turns a stocked freezer into a horrific, rotting mess by spring. Wipe down all counters and vacuum all floors. As temperatures drop, rodents and pests are “aggressively” seeking warm shelter , and your vacant home is a perfect target.

Finally, protect your electronics from winter storm power surges. Unplug all non-essential appliances: televisions, computers, coffee makers, and microwaves. Walk the house one last time and ensure every window and door is securely locked.

Winter: The Vigilant Watch (Protecting Your Vacant Home)

Your home is now winterized, but it is not invincible. The shutdown is complete, but the work is not over. Winter is the season of vigilance. Your home must be actively monitored by a trusted, local professional.

The Dangers of an Empty Island Home: Frozen Pipes and Storm Damage

Powerful winter storms, Nor’easters , and blizzards will batter the island for months. These storms can cause tree limbs to fall on your roof, rip off siding, or create ice dams that breach your “cleared” gutters. Coastal flooding and erosion can threaten your foundation.

The nightmare scenario is a “compound failure.” A brutal Nor’easter causes a power outage. The power stays off for days, and your furnace (your last line of defense) cannot run. The temperature inside the home plummets, and a backup pipe or a single missed P-trap freezes and bursts.

This is the danger of a vacant home. A small problem, a tripped circuit breaker, a failed furnace, a small leak from an ice dam, is left undiscovered for weeks or months, compounding daily until it becomes a catastrophic, home-gutting disaster.

The Peace of Mind Solution: Professional Winter Watch

This is the service that solves the “vacant home” problem. A “Winter Watch” or professional is the most valuable insurance you can buy for your island property. This service involves a local professional physically checking your property on a regular, agreed-upon schedule and immediately after every major storm.

A professional caretaker performs a comprehensive patrol:

• Post-Storm Checks: They walk the entire perimeter, checking for wind damage, fallen trees, roof issues, and any signs of water intrusion.
• Interior Patrols: They enter the home to verify that the heat is running and the thermostats are set correctly. They check humidity levels to ensure mold is not growing. They walk through every room, checking basements and attics for any sign of a leak.
• Emergency Response: If a furnace does fail or a pipe does burst, they are your 24/7 emergency contact. They will be the one to coordinate the plumber or HVAC technician immediately, mitigating a $100,000 disaster and turning it into a manageable repair.

Given the significant value of Martha’s Vineyard homes and the astronomical cost of water or storm damage , a winter watch service is not a luxury. As one islander put it, it’s “pretty cheap insurance” to protect your investment.

Your Partner in Preservation: Trust Estate Care Year-Round

This comprehensive guide illustrates the high-stakes, complex, and specialized nature of Martha’s Vineyard home maintenance. Protecting your investment is a year-round, professional job.

As a seasonal homeowner, you cannot be here for the post-storm check, the meticulous fall-winterization, or the critical spring soft wash. You need a trusted partner on the island, one with deep local knowledge, a network of vetted vendors, and an unwavering commitment to protecting your home as if it were their own.

Don’t leave your island home to chance. to develop a customized, four-season property management plan. Let us handle the checklist, so you can simply enjoy your home, worry-free. Contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Martha’s Vineyard Home Maintenance

What is the most important seasonal maintenance for a Martha’s Vineyard home?

By far, the most critical task is the fall winterization. This involves a complete shutdown and draining of all water systems, including pipes, faucets, irrigation, and appliances, to prevent catastrophic burst pipes during the winter freezes. This, combined with securing the exterior for Nor’easters and cleaning gutters to prevent ice dams, is the single most important action to protect your investment.

How do I protect my Martha’s Vineyard home from salt air corrosion?

Protecting your home from corrosive salt air requires regular, proactive cleaning. Schedule a professional “soft wash” at least once or twice a year, typically in the spring and fall, to remove and neutralize salt deposits from siding, windows, and metal fixtures. In summer, regular fresh-water rinses of decks and furniture can also help. Using salt-resistant materials like Fibrex® windows and marine-grade finishes is also crucial.

What is a ‘winter watch’ service and do I need one for my island home?

A ‘winter watch’ service is essential for any vacant seasonal home on Martha’s Vineyard. It is a professional caretaking service where your property is physically inspected on a regular schedule and, most importantly, immediately after major winter storms. The service checks for storm damage , heating system failures , humidity levels , and water intrusion from leaks or burst pipes, preventing a minor issue from becoming a multi-thousand-dollar disaster.

When should I prepare my MV home for a hurricane?

Hurricane preparedness should be finalized before the season begins on June 1st. This includes creating an emergency plan and having a hurricane kit stocked. You must be ready to act (or have your property manager act) the moment a ‘Hurricane Watch’ is issued, which is 48 hours before the storm is possible. This involves securing all outdoor furniture, boarding windows, and ensuring you have supplies.