The gorgeous weather in Southwest Florida makes it a prime location for those wanting to escape the dreary winter, but when it comes time for our seasonal residents to pack up and head north, it’s important to make sure your Southwest Florida homes are properly prepared to endure the long, hot summer.
Our customer service team has put together a list of items as a starting point to avoiding some of the catastrophic damage that can occur while your home is vacant:
- Clean out your refrigerator
- Run water in all faucets for 10 minutes to flush system, then put olive oil (about one capful) in trap to seal in moisture
- Turn off the water
- Unplug the hot water heater/Turn off the breaker
- Make sure pool water supply autofill is still functioning
- Turn off the breaker for the pool heater
- Set the air conditioner at 78 degrees and the dehumidifier at 45
- Install surge protectors throughout your home
- Unplug all audio/visual components, including the phone and cable lines
- Clean out gutters and drainage
- Have all stucco cracks sealed and all caulking at windows and doors inspected and repaired as necessary
- Inspect grading at the perimeter of your home for improper slope (All grading should slope away from the foundation)
- Schedule pest control services
- Bring in lanai furniture
- Stop newspaper deliveries until your return
- Forward your mail to your off-season home
- Temporarily discontinue phone, internet and cable services.
- Have someone check on your home once a week and open your garage bi-weekly to let in fresh air
Preparing your home for the summer can decrease the odds of severe damage, but London Bay’s Home Watch and Estate Management programs can give you peace of mind during those summer months by checking your Sarasota and Naples Florida homes on a weekly basis to avoid costly situations. We’ll even schedule any repairs and maintenance needed, so you can rest assured that, upon your return, your home will be just as you left it.
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