Prepare your Home
Going north for the summer?
The list below has been put together to assist you in preparing to close your Florida home for the summer months.
Use this as a guide to take care of the tasks that apply to you and your situation. If you use a Full Service Rental/Property Managment
Company for your seasonal rental you may need to do very little before leaving.
*Tell a trusted friend, family member or neighbor that you will be gone and give them the name and number to your
home watch company for added protection.
Tips for Preparing your Home
Air & Humidity
*Make an appointment to have the air conditioning system serviced and filter changed (it is
recommended to service an A/C unit once a year). If your unit requires the filter to be changed
monthly make sure to have enough extra filters on hand for the entire deration of your trip.
*For programmable or smart thermostats: Set your A/C to run at 72 degrees for just two hours each morning before sunrise and at 88 degrees for the remainder of the time.
*For non-programmable thermostats: Set your A/C to run at 80 degrees while you are away. If you live in a condo or apartment, set your A/C at 77 degrees.
*If you have a humidistat make sure to have you air conditioning service professional calibrate it.
*Determine what method(s) you will use to control relative humidity inside your home and/or
control fungal growth.
Phone & Mail
*Contact the Telephone Company to temporarily suspend service during your absence.
(Don’t suspend service if used by Security Alarm System).
*Arrange to forward mail at your local Post Office.
*Arrange for cancellation of newspapers, magazines.
Storm Protection
*Make sure you have enough Hurricane Shutters and hardware needed to secure home in the
event of a Hurricane.
*Contract a company that will install Hurricane Shutters in a timely fashion, make sure they
have your contact number as well as your Home Watch Service. Some homeowners opt to
secure the storm shutters for the entire duration of their absence, but that’s a sure sign to
would-be burglars that nobody’s home.
Appliances & Furniture
*Write down the make and model of all appliances in the home in case there are home
maintenance or warranties on equipment that you and your home watcher will need in case of a
breakdown. Leave a copy on the fridge and bring one with Refrigerators:
*If you prefer to keep your refrigerator on, set it at its warmest setting.
*If your prefer to keep your refrigerator off, make sure to clean the interior with a solution of 1 tbsp. of baking soda in 1 quart of water, dry thoroughly and leave doors open. Turn off the circuit breaker to the refrigerator. Remove all food from the freezer and refrigerator, and leave the door(s) propped open.
*If you have an automatic ice maker, switch it to the “off” position
*Empty dishwasher and prop open the door to prevent mold growth from residual moisture.
*Washing machine: Leave the lid open.
*Cable or satellite boxes: Unplug or turn off to avoid paying for energy you aren’t using.
*Small appliances and electronics: Unplug. For security reasons, you may want to place timers on indoor lamps. If you leave your broadband connected when away, you can use smart plugs to control table lamps.
*Unplug the computer and remove the phone jack from the wall if you have a modem.
*Unplug unused lamps, televisions, stereos, etc. There is no need to unplug the stove.
*Unplugging all inactive electrical items helps to prepare the house for electric storms you
should also make sure to connect those still active to surge protectors. For more thorough
protection you should invest in a whole-house surge protector that will be installed into the
main electrical panel to help guard the AC unit and other unprotected major appliances.
*Vacuum upholstered furnishings to get rid of mold spores.
*Make sure all outside furniture or items that can become projectiles are placed inside in
case storms come thru.
Water
*** It is a good idea to arrange for the water to be turned on occasionally for the purpose of, flushing toilets
to exercise valves as they tend to get brittle. Also, you might want to periodically run the washer and
dishwasher to prevent seals from cracking.
*Inspect all plumbing fixtures and address potential issues before you depart. It’s easier to prevent a problem than it is to repair one when you’re 1,500 miles away. A professional home watch company will know what to look for and should offer to perform the inspection.
* Run 1 dozen ice cubes and 2 or 3 tablespoons baking soda in the garbage disposal to clean
blades.
*Drain and disconnect water heater. Turn off the water to the washing machine and the hot
water heater.
*Water heater: Turn off the circuit breaker to the water heater.
*Cover and seal toilets, If contracted a Home Watch company they will flush toilets on each visit.
Cleanliness & Miscellaneous
*Clean cabinet interiors and exteriors.
*Clean oven, broiler and drip trays under the surface units of the range.
*Clean portable appliances.
· Leave only clean cloths in closets and allow space between garments.
· Do not leave items on the floor.
· Do not wrap garments or other items
· Clean all bathroom surfaces and fixtures.
· Cover toilet and tank with plastic and secure with duct tape. (You may want to pour a
few drops of bleach in the bowl water).
· Put stoppers in all drains and cover all drains with duct tape.
*Give your home a good cleaning. This will help to minimize pests, as well as make it easier to open your home upon your return
Outside the home, be sure to secure all lanai and pool furniture
*Open your closet and cabinet doors, just to keep fresh air moving in and out of those areas.
*Eat food in the food cabinets or plan to give away or discard.
*Change all batteries and purchase backups where applicable: smoke detectors, thermostat/humidistat, alarm (main and key pads). The availability of additional batteries for the person/company monitoring your home ensures minimal downtime.
Lawn Care & Pest
*Set Sprinklers to a summer watering schedule on your system control; also have a plan for if we
have too much rain to skip a few watering cycles/days*
*Donate your indoor plants or arrange for a friend to plant sit them until you return.
*Arrange for landscaping maintenance. If landscaping upkeep is not already performed by the Community management.
(Make sure they know how to reach you and your home watch company prior to departure).
*Check sprinkler head performance to be sure no repairs are needed.
*Make arrangements for Bug Control Service.... And plan for entry visits into home if necessary
(make sure they have your contact information and the home watch company, arrange for home
enter when home watch company is on site)
*Set off insect "bombs" or "foggers", if desired.
Pool
*Set your pool pump to run no more than six hours a day.
*Arrange for someone to check your pool’s chemical levels and water level while you’re away.
Paperwork & Security
*Review home owners insurance policy and update, if necessary. Make sure all coverage’s are in
effect and it doesn’t hurt to ask if they have any additional recommendations.
*Leave with photos and/or a video recording of the property as it was when you left it. This will
be helpful in the event of an unanticipated problem such as a hurricane occurring during your absence
*Set burglar alarm. Make sure anyone monitoring the home has the alarm code and emergency
safe word.
*Remove valuable items when you leave.
*Make sure all windows and doors are locked, including the overhead garage door.
*Don’t leave the house empty-looking. Have someone open or close the drapes occasionally.
*Set Timers for lights and a radio to make it seem like the home is still occupied.
*Make sure all smoke alarms are working and have fresh batteries.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
While away, your home should be checked at least once a week. An air conditioner that quits at the height of summer could be a bad situation! An unattended leak, whether from your own home or the vacant unit above, could also cause significant damage!
Make a list of contact information (names. phone numbers, etc.) of everyone who has keys to your home. This list should include: homeowner associations, property managers, friends, family, neighbors, and service personnel. This is also a good time to review the list for any individuals who no longer need access to the home and consider updating your home’s access security, such as changing locks and codes.
Please feel free to call us at any time if you have any questions or concerns about securing your home for the summer months.
.
The list below has been put together to assist you in preparing to close your Florida home for the summer months.
Use this as a guide to take care of the tasks that apply to you and your situation. If you use a Full Service Rental/Property Managment
Company for your seasonal rental you may need to do very little before leaving.
*Tell a trusted friend, family member or neighbor that you will be gone and give them the name and number to your
home watch company for added protection.
Tips for Preparing your Home
Air & Humidity
*Make an appointment to have the air conditioning system serviced and filter changed (it is
recommended to service an A/C unit once a year). If your unit requires the filter to be changed
monthly make sure to have enough extra filters on hand for the entire deration of your trip.
*For programmable or smart thermostats: Set your A/C to run at 72 degrees for just two hours each morning before sunrise and at 88 degrees for the remainder of the time.
*For non-programmable thermostats: Set your A/C to run at 80 degrees while you are away. If you live in a condo or apartment, set your A/C at 77 degrees.
*If you have a humidistat make sure to have you air conditioning service professional calibrate it.
*Determine what method(s) you will use to control relative humidity inside your home and/or
control fungal growth.
Phone & Mail
*Contact the Telephone Company to temporarily suspend service during your absence.
(Don’t suspend service if used by Security Alarm System).
*Arrange to forward mail at your local Post Office.
*Arrange for cancellation of newspapers, magazines.
Storm Protection
*Make sure you have enough Hurricane Shutters and hardware needed to secure home in the
event of a Hurricane.
*Contract a company that will install Hurricane Shutters in a timely fashion, make sure they
have your contact number as well as your Home Watch Service. Some homeowners opt to
secure the storm shutters for the entire duration of their absence, but that’s a sure sign to
would-be burglars that nobody’s home.
Appliances & Furniture
*Write down the make and model of all appliances in the home in case there are home
maintenance or warranties on equipment that you and your home watcher will need in case of a
breakdown. Leave a copy on the fridge and bring one with Refrigerators:
*If you prefer to keep your refrigerator on, set it at its warmest setting.
*If your prefer to keep your refrigerator off, make sure to clean the interior with a solution of 1 tbsp. of baking soda in 1 quart of water, dry thoroughly and leave doors open. Turn off the circuit breaker to the refrigerator. Remove all food from the freezer and refrigerator, and leave the door(s) propped open.
*If you have an automatic ice maker, switch it to the “off” position
*Empty dishwasher and prop open the door to prevent mold growth from residual moisture.
*Washing machine: Leave the lid open.
*Cable or satellite boxes: Unplug or turn off to avoid paying for energy you aren’t using.
*Small appliances and electronics: Unplug. For security reasons, you may want to place timers on indoor lamps. If you leave your broadband connected when away, you can use smart plugs to control table lamps.
*Unplug the computer and remove the phone jack from the wall if you have a modem.
*Unplug unused lamps, televisions, stereos, etc. There is no need to unplug the stove.
*Unplugging all inactive electrical items helps to prepare the house for electric storms you
should also make sure to connect those still active to surge protectors. For more thorough
protection you should invest in a whole-house surge protector that will be installed into the
main electrical panel to help guard the AC unit and other unprotected major appliances.
*Vacuum upholstered furnishings to get rid of mold spores.
*Make sure all outside furniture or items that can become projectiles are placed inside in
case storms come thru.
Water
*** It is a good idea to arrange for the water to be turned on occasionally for the purpose of, flushing toilets
to exercise valves as they tend to get brittle. Also, you might want to periodically run the washer and
dishwasher to prevent seals from cracking.
*Inspect all plumbing fixtures and address potential issues before you depart. It’s easier to prevent a problem than it is to repair one when you’re 1,500 miles away. A professional home watch company will know what to look for and should offer to perform the inspection.
* Run 1 dozen ice cubes and 2 or 3 tablespoons baking soda in the garbage disposal to clean
blades.
*Drain and disconnect water heater. Turn off the water to the washing machine and the hot
water heater.
*Water heater: Turn off the circuit breaker to the water heater.
*Cover and seal toilets, If contracted a Home Watch company they will flush toilets on each visit.
Cleanliness & Miscellaneous
*Clean cabinet interiors and exteriors.
*Clean oven, broiler and drip trays under the surface units of the range.
*Clean portable appliances.
· Leave only clean cloths in closets and allow space between garments.
· Do not leave items on the floor.
· Do not wrap garments or other items
· Clean all bathroom surfaces and fixtures.
· Cover toilet and tank with plastic and secure with duct tape. (You may want to pour a
few drops of bleach in the bowl water).
· Put stoppers in all drains and cover all drains with duct tape.
*Give your home a good cleaning. This will help to minimize pests, as well as make it easier to open your home upon your return
Outside the home, be sure to secure all lanai and pool furniture
*Open your closet and cabinet doors, just to keep fresh air moving in and out of those areas.
*Eat food in the food cabinets or plan to give away or discard.
*Change all batteries and purchase backups where applicable: smoke detectors, thermostat/humidistat, alarm (main and key pads). The availability of additional batteries for the person/company monitoring your home ensures minimal downtime.
Lawn Care & Pest
*Set Sprinklers to a summer watering schedule on your system control; also have a plan for if we
have too much rain to skip a few watering cycles/days*
*Donate your indoor plants or arrange for a friend to plant sit them until you return.
*Arrange for landscaping maintenance. If landscaping upkeep is not already performed by the Community management.
(Make sure they know how to reach you and your home watch company prior to departure).
*Check sprinkler head performance to be sure no repairs are needed.
*Make arrangements for Bug Control Service.... And plan for entry visits into home if necessary
(make sure they have your contact information and the home watch company, arrange for home
enter when home watch company is on site)
*Set off insect "bombs" or "foggers", if desired.
Pool
*Set your pool pump to run no more than six hours a day.
*Arrange for someone to check your pool’s chemical levels and water level while you’re away.
Paperwork & Security
*Review home owners insurance policy and update, if necessary. Make sure all coverage’s are in
effect and it doesn’t hurt to ask if they have any additional recommendations.
*Leave with photos and/or a video recording of the property as it was when you left it. This will
be helpful in the event of an unanticipated problem such as a hurricane occurring during your absence
*Set burglar alarm. Make sure anyone monitoring the home has the alarm code and emergency
safe word.
*Remove valuable items when you leave.
*Make sure all windows and doors are locked, including the overhead garage door.
*Don’t leave the house empty-looking. Have someone open or close the drapes occasionally.
*Set Timers for lights and a radio to make it seem like the home is still occupied.
*Make sure all smoke alarms are working and have fresh batteries.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
While away, your home should be checked at least once a week. An air conditioner that quits at the height of summer could be a bad situation! An unattended leak, whether from your own home or the vacant unit above, could also cause significant damage!
Make a list of contact information (names. phone numbers, etc.) of everyone who has keys to your home. This list should include: homeowner associations, property managers, friends, family, neighbors, and service personnel. This is also a good time to review the list for any individuals who no longer need access to the home and consider updating your home’s access security, such as changing locks and codes.
Please feel free to call us at any time if you have any questions or concerns about securing your home for the summer months.
.