VILLAGES home - Things to do when closing for summer

[patfinn]

I posted a similar message some days ago and it was moved to non-villages discussion. I did receive some valuable info before it was moved but would appreciate any and all suggestions.

What precautions should be taken when closing house for the season, including care of auto and golf cart.

Thanks for your help.

Pat

[Barefoot]

Oh please put the "Snowbirds leaving and Looking for Guidance" back into Villages discussion. As a Villager, and a Snowbird, who is leaving for six months, I desperately need guidance on:

Surge Protectors
Redirecting Mail
Leaving My Golf Cart Plugged In
Covering toilets with saran wrap
Putting oil down drains to prevent snakes from popping up
Discontinuing Comcast, is it worth doing
What temperature to set the air conditioning at
Do I need a humidistat .. what temperature
What pest control/termite control do I need
I'm having air conditioning serviced by Munns, what else do I need to do
Things I haven't even considered

BTW, I am using Village Watchdogs to check my home while I'm away.
Why .. because they advertise on TOTV!! Yay. And they are really nice.

Sadly leaving Paradise for the Great White North
Barefoot no Longer

[tony]

bump

[bobfl]

Barefoot, I have some experience doing this for the last seven years in Southwest Florida. My house is for sale now and we hope to move to TV when its sold.

I have a surge protector in the box but I unplug/disconnect everything I can. Pretty bad lightning storms around Florida in the Summer

We redirect the mail through the post office every year and really have not had big problems.

Don't have a golf cart but I do leave a car here for six months using a battery tender with float charge capability and car has started up every time when I return. With the larger batteries in a golf cart you may need something stronger, look up battery tenders on Google.

Always have covered toilets with Saran wrap, both North and South, to prevent drying out due to evaporation which could possibly let sewer gas into the house.

We put Comcast on vacation mode and it saves a few bucks, We call a few days before we return to have them turn it back on.

I put vegetable oil down drains that I can't close (Shower) But I do it to prevent evaporation of the water in the trap. (Oil floats on top)

I have a Humidistat and my cost for electricity in the Summer is about $18 per month.
(House is 1930 sq. Ft. under air)
The setting for humidistat and thermostat for the Summer varies depending on if it is installed in series or parallel with the thermostat. Usually there will directions with the Humidistat as to wiring and setting. Bottom line is: Well worth the cost!

I always have Air serviced in late April. So far so good on that.

I talked to Refrigerator service guy and he said to leave it running. He said that if disconnected they sometimes won't start up without a service call. I have been leaving mine on with no problems. Store sugar and flour and cereals inside it to keep critters away.

Pour a little water into the bottom of dishwasher to keep seals from drying out. Have homewatch service replenish it occasionally.

In my opinion the most important thing to do is TURN WATER OFF!. Every big problem I have heard of down here has had water involved.

Hope this helps

Bob

[bsliny]

I shut off the water in the bathrooms So why do you put saran wrap on the bowls
in the bathroom THANK YOU

[Barefoot]

Bobfl - A huge thank you for all the excellent information you provided. :bow:

We've hired Village Watchdogs to come in twice a month. They will run the dishwasher, flush the toilets, and check on everything. We were planning to turn the refrigerator off, but are now reconsidering in view of your recommendation.

Our golf cart company told us it is best to leave our Columbia Par Car plugged in to the battery charger. However they said we must have a surge protector.

Your information about humidistats was especially interesting. We will definitely get one, but can't find a store that sells them. My husband has tried all the local hardware stores
including Ace Hardware in Southern Trace.

Does anyone know where we can buy a humidistat in TV?

Sadly
Barefoot no longer

[bobfl]

Barefoot,

Couple of other Ideas to consider;

Fill old milk or soda bottles with water and let them freeze. Leave them in the freezer to act as a "thermal flywheel" Freezer will run less often and use less electricity.

Cut power to Garage door. Could be bad if it opens due to power surge or lightning for a week or so till someone notices. Cut power to water heater, no sense heating water if you are not there. If its gas set to vacation mode, this will leave just the pilot on, the small amount of heat will prevent rusting. If electric just turn off breaker.

Four to six weeks in advance be sure to redirect all magazine subscriptions. Post office will only forward for a short period.

About two weeks before leaving get a box and as you think of things that you must bring back North put them into the box. Really cuts down on the "oops" factor when your 500 miles up the road.

Again, I hope some of these help

Bob

[nancyuber]

Bobfl - A huge thank you for all the excellent information you provided. :bow:

We've hired Village Watchdogs to come in twice a month. They will run the dishwasher, flush the toilets, and check on everything. We were planning to turn the refrigerator off, but are now reconsidering in view of your recommendation.

Our golf cart company told us it is best to leave our Columbia Par Car plugged in to the battery charger. However they said we must have a surge protector.

Your information about humidistats was especially interesting. We will definitely get one, but can't find a store that sells them. My husband has tried all the local hardware stores
including Ace Hardware in Southern Trace.

Does anyone know where we can buy a humidistat in TV?

Sadly
Barefoot no longer

[nancyuber]

We purchased a humidistat from Munn's and they installed it

[bargee]

We also had a humistat installed by Munns,a great saving on electric.You may want to advise your house watchers that it will be hot in the house during your absense but that is OK,the humistat senses humidity levels and not temp.levels.We were told to set the air at 82 and the humistat at 60.We have been doing that for five years with no mold or other problems.Also before you leave pour about half a cup of mineral oil(available at any drug store)into the sump drain of your dishwasher and that will prevent the seals from drying out.This also works for your disposal.Have a great summer all you seasonal residents and we'll see you soon.

[Packer Fan]

Just a note on water heaters - although they are expensive, tankless water heaters will save you a ton of money, and the nice thing is that you won't have to worry about turning them off when you leave - they draw no power when you don't run the water.


We have one and we love it.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Bob :agree: with Barefoot :bow: :bow: :bow:

Did most of the things you suggested. We talked about the dishwasher and decided not to do it. Wondering if it will be okay for a couple of months.

Will get a humidistat - did not understand completely the value of them. Did not think to turn off the electricity to the garage door either.

We were told to unplug the charger and Barefoot was told to leave it plugged in. Any suggestions either way?

As they say - live and learn.

Thank you everybody for posting info.

[mom2five]

the different advice may be because you have different makes of golf carts. The par car has some features that the others don't. you could check with your dealer for the right method for your cart.

When you talk about the dishwasher do you mean about putting oil in it or water?

I am in the process of making a list of everything I should do before I go.

My neighbours are going to watch the house for me and I would be interested in exactly what these house watchers do so I can put together a list for them. They are the best people and have given me all kinds of help and advice over the last few months so I really think they know better than me anyway. lol I feel very lucky to have them.

Appreciate all the advice in this thread also.

[bobfl]

Some more things that you might want to do:

If you have an electronic digital thermostat change the batteries when you leave, usually good for one year.

Be sure to put some open baking soda boxes in fridge and freezer

Closet doors open a bit to allow air circulation.

Be sure to empty icemaker and shut it off. Put ice cubes into garbage disposal to clean it then put some vegetable oil in to keep seals moist.

Put the ideas that you like into a check list, put it in a handy spot and start checking them off as you get closer. I have one in my computer and I add to it every year and just print out a new one when ready to leave.

[samhass]

Barefoot, We wish you could change your name to "Barefoot Forever".





Bobfl - A huge thank you for all the excellent information you provided. :bow:

We've hired Village Watchdogs to come in twice a month. They will run the dishwasher, flush the toilets, and check on everything. We were planning to turn the refrigerator off, but are now reconsidering in view of your recommendation.

Our golf cart company told us it is best to leave our Columbia Par Car plugged in to the battery charger. However they said we must have a surge protector.

Your information about humidistats was especially interesting. We will definitely get one, but can't find a store that sells them. My husband has tried all the local hardware stores
including Ace Hardware in Southern Trace.

Does anyone know where we can buy a humidistat in TV?

Sadly
Barefoot no longer

[renielarson]

Barefoot will be barefoot no matter where she is....

but...it will be brrrrrr barefoot up north.... :'(

[Barefoot]

I sure wish I could be Barefoot Forever, unfortunately I will be wearing snow shoes in another week. Well, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but I'm feeling pretty annoyed about having to leave. :verymad:

I have hired Village Watchdogs to look after my home in TV for six months. They are very reasonable and advertise on TOTV!! The beauty of Village Watchdogs is that they will do all the things we forget to do .. like putting oil down the drains, covering the toilets with saran wrap, turning off the HWH, turning off the water! They will come in twice a month, flush toilets, run the dishwasher, etc. The Watchdog I met is a former NY City cop, great guy! I highly recommend using a service rather than relying on a neighbour, money well spent I think.

With regard to my Columbia Par Car, the head office says to leave it plugged in for six months. The local office says to unplug it, because of lightening, and have someone plug it in overnight once a month. Even with a surge protector, apparently problems can occur. :dontknow:

[BETHPAGE BLACK]

Bargee... your suggestion of putting mineral oil down the sump drain in the dishwasher..is that the plastic tube looking thing on the bottom of the dishwasher? Didnt really know the dishwasher had a sump drain..Sounds like a good idea if I can find out where exactly to put it...Appreciate some guidance on this ...Thanks...Laura

[bsliny]

I was told not to turn off the water heater because the seals could dry out
:hot: :beer3: :hot: :beer2: :hot:

[Barefoot]

I was told not to turn off the water heater because the seals could dry out
:hot: :beer3: :hot: :beer2: :hot:


We turned off the inside water. Village Watchdogs will come every two weeks. They will turn on the water, flush the toilets, run the dishwasher, etc.