How to prepare your holiday home for summer in Marina Alta

The arrival of warm weather on the Costa Blanca means one thing for thousands of holiday home owners: it's time to open up the house. After months without anyone living there — or with only occasional visits — a property in Marina Alta can spring all sorts of surprises if it hasn't had the right attention beforehand.

At De Tu Casa Cuido we've been managing property openings in Dénia, Jávea, Moraira, Calpe and across the region for years. In this article we explain exactly what to check, when to do it, and which problems are most common, so that your arrival this summer is perfect from the very first day.

When should you open up for the season?

Ideally, plan your property opening at least 4 to 6 weeks before your first stay of the year. This gives you enough time to sort out anything that comes up: an urgent repair, restocking consumables, or treating the pool if it's been left without maintenance.

In Marina Alta, the high season starts in June and runs through September. If you plan to arrive in July, the opening should ideally be done in May or early June.

Full opening checklist

1. Plumbing and water

This is the first thing to check. Months of no use cause seals to dry out, small leaks to appear, or limescale deposits to build up in the pipes.

• Open the main stopcock slowly and check there are no visible leaks under sinks, in bathrooms or near the boiler.
• Run hot and cold water for several minutes at every tap to flush the system through.
• Check the boiler or water heater: make sure it fires up correctly and the pressure is right.
• If you have an automatic irrigation system, check the sprinklers and drippers for blockages or damage.

2. Electrics and air conditioning

• Switch on the fuse box and check all circuit breakers and RCDs.
• Test every appliance (fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, oven) to make sure they work.
• Test the air conditioning — do this early, because in summer engineers are extremely busy and repair waiting times can stretch to weeks.
• Check and clean or replace the air conditioning filters.
• If you have an alarm, check that the backup battery is good and the system responds correctly.

3. Swimming pool

A pool that's been left without maintenance over winter can turn green or fill with sediment. Getting it back to condition usually takes one to two weeks, so don't leave it to the last minute.

• Inspect the pool shell: look for cracks, damage to the lining or steps.
• Start the filtration system and check the pump is working properly.
• Test the water: pH, chlorine, alkalinity. If the water is badly deteriorated you may need to partially drain and refill.
• Clean the skimmer, drains and pump pre-filter.
• If you have a pool cover, remove it, clean the channels and store it correctly.

4. Garden and outdoor areas

• Check the general condition: palm trees, orange trees, bougainvillea and other Mediterranean plants may need pruning.
• Check the automatic irrigation system and adjust the timers for summer (more frequent, avoid the hottest hours).
• Inspect terraces, pergolas and awnings: look for deterioration in the wood, fabric or metal structure.
• Bring out and check any outdoor furniture you stored over winter.

5. Inside the property

• Air the property for at least two hours: closed spaces accumulate moisture and odours.
• Check for damp patches or stains on walls, ceilings and floors, especially in bathrooms and the kitchen.
• Check windows and doors close properly and the rubber seals are in good condition.
• Check mattresses, bed linen and towels — months in storage can deteriorate them.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

6. Security

• Check locks, bolts and shutters are all working.
• Restock the first aid kit.
• Check the fire extinguisher is in date and at the correct pressure.

The most common problems we find when opening properties

• Water leaks from dried-out seals or limescale-damaged pipes.
• Air conditioning failures or filters so dirty the unit can't cool effectively.
• Pool in poor condition from lack of treatment over winter.
• Insect infestations (cockroaches, ants) that have moved into closed spaces.
• Mould and damp in bathrooms or wardrobes that were closed for months.

Do it yourself or hire a property opening service?

If you can travel to the property well in advance and have time to manage any issues that come up, you can do the opening yourself using this checklist.

However, many owners — especially those living abroad or far away — choose to hire a property opening service. This means someone they trust, with local knowledge and a network of tradespeople, visits the property, carries out all the checks, and gives them a detailed report before they arrive. You turn up to no surprises.

At De Tu Casa Cuido we offer this seasonal opening service both as part of our monthly plans and as a one-off service. If you'd like us to get your Marina Alta property ready for this summer, get in touch and we'll prepare a personalised quote.