what do you snowbirds do when you leave home
first year of going to florida for the winter.... what do you do to your house when you leave it for the winter in northern areas... do you drain pipes , turn heat down, put in home monitors ?????
Forum Discussion
We have been wintering in Florida for 5 years with no problems. Everyone does it differently depending on their circumstances. These are things we do for our situation. In no order.
Forward mail.
Turn the heat down to 50.
Open all cabinet doors under sinks.
We shut off the water to the washing machine, refrigerator, outside spigots, and toilets. We leave the house water on due to forced hot water heat.
Shut off boilermate. (makes hot water through furnace)
Add RV antifreeze to toilet bowls and sink traps. (It appears to help keep the water from evaporating as we have never had a problem.)
Heat is monitored through alarm system. Sends signal to central station at 40 degrees. Our oil company has 24 hour service. We have a key hidden outside. We will tell service person where it is located if needed.
Have house checked by relative every 10 days to 2 weeks. He just does a quick walkthrough.
Turn on security system. Notify central station that we will be away for 4 months.
Check security cameras from Florida every day or two.
Several lights are on timers.
We have driveway plowed.
I hope this helps.
Paul
Forward mail.
Turn the heat down to 50.
Open all cabinet doors under sinks.
We shut off the water to the washing machine, refrigerator, outside spigots, and toilets. We leave the house water on due to forced hot water heat.
Shut off boilermate. (makes hot water through furnace)
Add RV antifreeze to toilet bowls and sink traps. (It appears to help keep the water from evaporating as we have never had a problem.)
Heat is monitored through alarm system. Sends signal to central station at 40 degrees. Our oil company has 24 hour service. We have a key hidden outside. We will tell service person where it is located if needed.
Have house checked by relative every 10 days to 2 weeks. He just does a quick walkthrough.
Turn on security system. Notify central station that we will be away for 4 months.
Check security cameras from Florida every day or two.
Several lights are on timers.
We have driveway plowed.
I hope this helps.
Paul
