cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

how to leave home

ceasare
Explorer
Explorer
I'm sure this has been asked before but what do you do to the sticks and bricks when leaving for the winter? This is our first year of snow birding. We leave about 1/3. Going to Quartzite and Yuma and wherever. LOL. Happy Days!!!!
35 REPLIES 35

STBRetired
Explorer
Explorer
RobWNY is right on. Couple additions: We removed all the food from the refrigerator and freezer. Just leave the beer in the garage fridge. Give the shed key to one of the grandsons so that he can mow the grass if it starts growing before we get back.
1999 Newmar MACA 3796 F53 6.8L
2016 Ford Edge Sport
Roadmaster Sterling A/T with Brake Buddy Select

2edgesword
Explorer
Explorer
The only thing I'd add to RobWNY's post is put in a camera system that you can remotely access via the internet. They're not that expensive (Arlo set-up is about $500) so you can real-time view your home inside and out depending on where you set-up the cameras. Sensor in the system can also trigger recording if anyone approaches or enters your home.

RobWNY
Explorer
Explorer
coolmom42 wrote:
^^^Good advice.

Don't forget to turn off the water heater and drain it.

Yes! Very good point.
2020 Silverado 2500HD LT, CC, 4X4 6.6 Duramax
2021 Grand Design Reflection 311BHS

I asked him to do one thing and he didn't do any of them.

coolmom42
Explorer II
Explorer II
^^^Good advice.

Don't forget to turn off the water heater and drain it.
Single empty-nester in Middle TN, sometimes with a friend or grandchild on board

RobWNY
Explorer
Explorer
We are preparing to be first time snowbirds next year. What we've done is install an alarm system. We're using SimpliSafe. More importantly, what we're alarming. We put all of the normal sensors in. Entry sensors, glass breakage, motion detectors and smoke detectors. We also installed a low temperature sensor and a water sensor. We've given keys to a family member and a lifelong friend so they can respond if trouble happens. We'll be leaving our thermostat at 60 degrees and have an HVAC professional check our furnace to make sure all is well before we head out. We'll also have the water shut off at the street. Although our water pipes should be fine, we'll drain them anyway and put RV anti-freeze in the drain traps. We'll have our mail forwarded to our destination and make sure all of our bills can be paid through online banking. We'll hire someone to plow our driveway and have someone clear the walkway so it looks like someone is occupying the house. We'll put a couple of lights on timers and use LED bulbs so we don't have to worry about them burning out while we're away. I'm sure there will be other things we'll do but that's off the top of my head for next winter.
2020 Silverado 2500HD LT, CC, 4X4 6.6 Duramax
2021 Grand Design Reflection 311BHS

I asked him to do one thing and he didn't do any of them.

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Daughter and son-in-law โ€œcaretake.โ€
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad