How close up house for summer?

[NorineBerlinski]

I’m snow birding back to Michigan at the end of April and I was wondering if anyone has a “To Do” list of things that should be done when you leave for 4 months. Greatly appreciate you all.

[rcpds]

Hopes this helps ...

Rick

89035

[Bunny1]

Send me your email address via personal message as I have documentation from Univ of FL on what to do when closing your seasonal home. This was offered a few weeks ago via a zoom mtg through the Villages. Lots of good information and a check list.

[dewilson58]

Sent PM

[John41]

I’m snow birding back to Michigan at the end of April and I was wondering if anyone has a “To Do” list of things that should be done when you leave for 4 months. Greatly appreciate you all.

A few things we do

Set AC to 70 degrees or better get a humidistat.
Open doors on base cabinets with sinks.
Close and lock all doors and windows.
Set a few lights on timers.
Cancel newspaper
Forward mail
Clean refrigerator
Bring meds
Empty garbage
Turn off TV

[Papa_lecki]

Here is a link to the U of Florida checklist

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HE/HE88700.pdf

[Bunny1]

Thanks for posting this info!

[Decadeofdave]

A few things we do

Set AC to 70 degrees or better get a humidistat.
Open doors on base cabinets with sinks.
Close and lock all doors and windows.
Set a few lights on timers.
Cancel newspaper
Forward mail
Clean refrigerator
Bring meds
Empty garbage
Turn off TV

Turn off water
Set hot water tank on pilot or low
Cover upholstered furniture with a sheet
Set light timers
Leave a nickel on a small cup of ice in freezer so you can tell if refridge defrosted

[Willis56]

Why not turn off refrigerator and hot water heater?Also we unplug everything we can to avoid lightning strikes including microwave. We’ve been told they are hit pretty often. We also cover the toilets with Saran Wrap to prevent evaporation.

[Garywt]

Some interesting list here. This is basically y what we do the last day or 2 we are here.

Do all laundry and put away
Tape over all sink and shower drains
Put plastic wrap over toilets and secure with tape
Leave 2 lights on times
Stack outside chairs
Bring Cushing in from lanai and front breezeway
Add fuel save to golf carts and disconnect the battery
Set AC at 80
Shut of water heater
Shut off water
Turn off fridge after packing everything or tossing everything out
Check to be sure everything is locked.

[westernrider75]

Just curious, what is the reason for covering toilets with Saran Wrap?

[airdale2]

If they dry out sewer gas will infiltrate your house.

[rlsjks1987@gmail.com]

I have a 32 item checklist I go over with all my customers. Weekly checks is the best safeguard against damage left by weather, pest infiltration, signs of vacant house, etc. Also consider your golf cart sitting for long periods (fuel, tires, battery). Bob's House Watch Service 352.901.8504 or Bobshousewatchservice@gmail.com.

[RICH1]

We all do it. It prevents the water from evaporating.... lift the seat and place the Saran Wrap directly on the China. Drop the lid! Doing it for years... just remember to remove it when you return home !

[bonrich]

We do most or all of the above posts and add if you leave clothes hanging in closets, we put or hang Damp-Rid in all of them. Also open up dresser drawers that contain clothing. You would be surprised of how much water is collected in the hanger bags. We have electric water heater, so we drain out the hot water, replace with new cool water and turn the breaker off. Was told by a builder it avoids stinky water when you reopen your home.

[nick demis]

If you don't want to try and seal all the drains in the house, get some antifreeze that the plumbers use and fill all traps and toilets. If you do decide to seal drains, don't forget the overflows to lavatories and the bath tubs.

[b0bd0herty]

I’m snow birding back to Michigan at the end of April and I was wondering if anyone has a “To Do” list of things that should be done when you leave for 4 months. Greatly appreciate you all.

Weekly house checks should be on your list. The district offers three outside home checks a week for under $5.35 dollars a week.

Village Community Development Districts (https://www.districtgov.org/departments/Community-Watch/community-watch-programs.aspx)

[mcwood4d]

Something we also do after unplugging all small appliances (TV, radio, coffee maker, etc.) is remove ALL BATTERIES from remotes and wall clocks to prevent corrosive buildup from "leaking" batteries.
** If you are not going to discard batteries, please do not leave them on wood or other surface that can be damaged. We usually leave the batteries on the "battery door" after removing it from the remote control.

[Papa_lecki]

Since my TV and internet are in the same place (by the TV) - i have the internet router on one power strip and the other stuff (TV, FireStick) on another power strip. I unplug one and keep my internet (I need it for my NEST thermostat and cameras).

[steinborn1]

Thank you for the information

[themarinos]

A few things we do

Set AC to 70 degrees or better get a humidistat.
Open doors on base cabinets with sinks.
Close and lock all doors and windows.
Set a few lights on timers.
Cancel newspaper
Forward mail
Clean refrigerator
Bring meds
Empty garbage
Turn off TV and put your service on season hold
fill a paper cup of water in the freezer once it freezes place a quarter on the ice this will tell you if you lost power for a long time

[toddsmig]

Put in a new furnace filter when you leave I also do a 50/50 mix of water and bleach in the furnace drain pipe to kill mold that may block the pipe.

[Garywt]

Just curious, what is the reason for covering toilets with Saran Wrap?

Bugs, just like the the sink traps and showers. Bugs can come up through the sewer.

[mikeritz53]

I’m snow birding back to Michigan at the end of April and I was wondering if anyone has a “To Do” list of things that should be done when you leave for 4 months. Greatly appreciate you all.

I would suggest a Snowbird service to do weekly checks. Bugs and Lawn issues are common and cost a lot of money to fix. Also unfortunately with many Service companies when they know the Owner is gone they get neglectful. Also some HomeOwners Policies have a Vacancy Clause which allows them the ability to deny a claim if you do not have an actual company coming in doing weekly visits. My company does this service and you can check my ad in the Village Sun Classifieds under Home Watch or my site Villages Vacation Home Rentals | Realtor In The Villages (http://www.VillagesVacationHomeRentals.com)

[rogerk]

I recommend you check your homeowners insurance. Some policies require a home to be occupied for coverage. The time it can be left apparently varies. A vacant home is not covered. Seriously consider have a PAID company come into your home regularly scheduled visit. This demonstrate to insurance home is not abandoned or vacant. Just something to consider.

[Barefoot]

I would suggest a Snowbird service to do weekly checks. We have Village Watchdogs checking our house every week; and Falcon Lawn and Pest mowing our lawn.

[Bacimom]

Slide the locking switch for your garage doors to disable use of remotes. We’ve seen it happen multiple times that neighbors garage doors have ended up with the same code-allowing your door to be opened/closed by others remotes. Depart & re-enter through your front door.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I’ve been in Florida mostly for 30 years , except for this past year I go home in summer for 4 months and either go to Miami Beach , Thailand or Hawaii Jan , Feb and March the only thing I’ve ever done is leave the AC at 80 and lock the door . I do have a friend usually walk through house every couple of weeks , the rest of that stuff people do is just that stuff , as far as all the disasters that mostly won’t happen I have one word INSURANCE

[Annie66]

here is what we use:

Closing The House To Do List
1 Set the house thermostat at 80-82 deg F. Leave the air conditioning on.
2 Turn off the gas at the manifold in the attic.
3 Place the water heater selection valve to the off position.
4 Put a small amount of vegetable oil in the garbage disposal, and run (without water) for 1-3 seconds.
5 Place bleach in the toilet bowl and the tank.
6 Cover the toilet bowl and tank with plastic wrap. Draw a large X on the plastic wrap (for obvious reasons).
7 Take the outside thermometer sensor indoors.
8 Change the batteries in the smoke detectors.
9 Remove everything from the lanai, porch and outside, and place indoors.
10 Turn off the ice maker. Do this prior to turning off the water to the house.
11 Lock all windows and doors (including dead bolts).
12 Run vinegar and water through the Keurig and then run several cups of tap water through to clear the vinegar from the Keurig reservoir.
13 With the exception of lights on timers, unplug everything (washer, dryer, printers, toaster, coffee pot, wireless phones, lamps, etc.).
14 Turn off the water at the valve in the garage. At one of the sinks, release the pressure for both the hot and cold water supplies. Be sure to close the faucet value once the pressure has been released.
15 Pour a small amount of bleach in each sink trap.
16 Put stoppers in all the sinks.
17 Empty and take out all the garbage.
18 After backing the car out of the garage, lower the door, and set the wallpad button to the off position. Or, you can pull the plug on the garage door opener.

These actions do not have to be done necessarily in this order.

[MiNana]

What part of Michigan?? We go back just for the month of June to see kids and grands. :~)

[Spsmith444]

I do the following:
Turn off water.
Turn off breaker to hot water heater.
Clean out frig, leave doors open & turn off breaker.
I turn off most electrical at breaker box.
Leave dishwasher & washing machine open.
Close all blinds to keep sun light out
Pour a little vinegar in all water traps and close & or cover them.
Pour a little vinegar in toilet.
Unplug garage door.
Set thermostat to eco (55-85). Yes I go up to 85 but I do monitor humidity.
Put battery tenders on car & cart.
Put all outdoor furniture in garage/house.
Do a very thorough cleaning.
Been doing this for 4 years. Good luck.

[billethkid]

We all do it. It prevents the water from evaporating.... lift the seat and place the Saran Wrap directly on the China. Drop the lid! Doing it for years... just remember to remove it when you return home !

Also put a note on the lid that it is covered.....ya never know!!!!!

[cj1040]

Could I have the list as well? c2jordan@hotmail.com

[THUNDERCHIEF]

Ask a neighbor

[KellyMemories]

Would you please send me that information. Memoriestgs@aol.com
Thank you 😊