new snowbirds, need advice

[MX rider]

I've tried searching but couldn't find the answers I need.
We just bought a home in TV. We're not retired yet. But we plan on doing so next fall.

Until then we'll be coming down on and off for a week at a time when we can use vacation time.
I've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating. just wondering if this is good advice?
Also, what temp should I keep the house at in the summer?
Any other tips or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[New Englander]

I would recommend to keep your thermostat set at 80/81 during the summer. Keep your window blinds closed to block the sun.

[Mortal1]

We keep our house at 77 for cooling and 71 for heat. when we're not here we shut off water to the inside of the house. they're good homes designed to have little upkeep. if you're only here part time I suggest you get a home watch for when you're away. they will tell you when/if there's a problem and be your go-between when things need doing(a good home watch will).

other than that enjoy.

[rjm1cc]

should not be a problem -- 've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating - I would not do unless you are going to be gone for weeks.
Humidity is the big item. Might go 70 from midnight to 6 am to get humidity out of the air. Then 80 for the rest of the time. I would set the heat at 68. Yes turn of the water to the home. Hot water heater on piolet???

[Michael G.]

Get to know your neighbors that are here full time that can help out in case of trouble.

[792911700]

Same story with us. One retired, one not, so we come & go. We have a gal who has a business & watchs our house. She comes twice a month, $25 each time. Checks hot water heater, make sure AC is working, waters plants, sprays for weeds outside, takes golf cart for a ride, flushes toilets & will clean if necessary, makes sure outside lamp post is lit, make sure fridge is running, changes batteries in smoke detectors, sprays for ants or bugs.

When we let her know we're coming, she will turn hot water up, straighten up. I asked her if she dusted & she said yes!

She sent pictures of sand mounds in our back yard. Here it was a pocket gopher. Would of made a mess if she hadn't seen it. Hired someone to trap it.

Totally worth it, peace of mind!! Gloria's Home Watch 952-217-9645

[2newyorkers]

We did this for 4 years until we became official snowbirds. When you leave for the summer leave your ac on 82-84. For winter 60 is good. Always put a capful of bleach, then saran wrap on toilets then close the lid. Always turn off the water as long as you live south of 466. Turn hot water heater down to lowest but not off. Close all blinds. Leave sides down on golf cart.

[Laker14]

Our thermostat is connected to the WiFi, so conditions can be monitored and adjustments made from our summer location up north. We didn't have to change anything, but we could have. Our HVAC guy recommended we keep the temperature in summer set for 80F. Our thermostat also has a humidistat which will kick the AC on if it gets above the set level. We set the humidistat for 60%, also on the advice of the HVAC guy. We also left all the doors to rooms open, and all of the fans moving on low. We also had a friend check the property every so often.

I also installed an irrigation controller that could be monitored and controlled by my phone, from up north. Irrigation is pretty simple in summer, because it rains so much you don't have to do much watering. However, still a good idea to have some eyes on it in case it starts to get dry.

[MX rider]

We did this for 4 years until we became official snowbirds. When you leave for the summer leave your ac on 82-84. For winter 60 is good. Always put a capful of bleach, then saran wrap on toilets then close the lid. Always turn off the water as long as you live south of 466. Turn hot water heater down to lowest but not off. Close all blinds. Leave sides down on golf cart.

Did you tape over the drains?

[MrFlorida]

Lots of good advice here, looks like they check all of the boxes .

[Ropnrose]

Our thermostat is connected to the WiFi, so conditions can be monitored and adjustments made from our summer location up north. We didn't have to change anything, but we could have. Our HVAC guy recommended we keep the temperature in summer set for 80F. Our thermostat also has a humidistat which will kick the AC on if it gets above the set level. We set the humidistat for 60%, also on the advice of the HVAC guy. We also left all the doors to rooms open, and all of the fans moving on low. We also had a friend check the property every so often.

I also installed an irrigation controller that could be monitored and controlled by my phone, from up north. Irrigation is pretty simple in summer, because it rains so much you don't have to do much watering. However, still a good idea to have some eyes on it in case it starts to get dry.

I'm considering a wifi thermostat. My house also has a humidstat. What thermostat do you have? Any issues with it? Thanks.

[Dave951]

We have a honeywell works great

[Garywt]

We close our drains and tape the shower drains. We had bleach and use plastic wrap over toilets. Shut off water and hot water. We leave ac at about 80 and turn heat down to about 55. Make sure the dehumidifier function is on.

[Malsua]

I'm considering a wifi thermostat. My house also has a humidstat. What thermostat do you have? Any issues with it? Thanks.

I've installed a number of Honeywell WiFi thermostats. I've also installed a couple nests.

I much prefer the Honeywell because you can set it to a temperature and it doesn't try to out think you. Last fall when I was living here in FL and traveling to NJ for work about once every 6 weeks, I used my boss's NJ house up there to stay(he also lives in FL). It has a nest. It is set on ECO and doesn't keep the house warm unless someone walks past it. I'm gone for 12 hours, come back to a quite cold house. Set a temp..2 hours later, it's cooling off again. It was maddening.

I had 3 zones with Honeywell WiFi in my NJ house and one each in the two houses I own in FL. I've installed them for others too. I've even removed a Nest for a friend and installed a Honeywell for the reason I listed above.

[Professor]

Place a drop or two of bleach in your toilets and the cover with Saran Wrap. Works great. Turn off water at main line in garage. Turn off water heater at breaker. Thermostat at 82 will work fine.

[Alie222]

I have White Pelican Home Watch. They're great and will even put deliveries in the house (no charge). In addition to the things folks were saying above, WP also had me keep my fans on low because I don't have a humidistat and suggested to freeze a cup of water and put a penny in it. This way if the power went out we would know because the penny would be near the bottom of the frozen cup.

[DaleDivine]

Place a drop or two of bleach in your toilets and the cover with Saran Wrap. Works great. Turn off water at main line in garage. Turn off water heater at breaker. Thermostat at 82 will work fine.

Checked on a snowbird friend's home and he had Saran Wrap on the master bathroom commode. There was a small frog swimming around in it.
:shocked::shocked:

[midiwiz]

I've tried searching but couldn't find the answers I need.
We just bought a home in TV. We're not retired yet. But we plan on doing so next fall.

Until then we'll be coming down on and off for a week at a time when we can use vacation time.
I've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating. just wondering if this is good advice?
Also, what temp should I keep the house at in the summer?
Any other tips or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance


where did that come from? LOL nope that's ridiculous

keep your house ho higher than 80, but also a wifi thermostat would help. most FL homes can withstand a house at 80. I prefer 76. I'd shut off the water, however the only issue you will have is drain flys. which aren't all that difficult to get rid of (hot water, bleach & soap) make sure you have your exterior pest control done etc.

Also the obvious things - blinds closed, etc. it's really not all that difficult.

[Lpkammer]

We leave for 4 months every summer and were told by the mold inspector not to let our house temp be over 75, lots of black mold in Florida.

[Luggage]

Make sure your grass is mowed and shrubs cut regularly!

[Papa_lecki]

There is another VERY good post someplace here (from around Jan 2021) about what to do when you leave. It has a link to a checklist, created by one of the universities in Florida.
Here’s the article

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/lakeco/files/2017/10/Closing-Your-Seasonal-Home.pdf

I tried to find it, but I couldn’t. Someone will find it.

[Maxsan]

I installed a temperature/humidity monitor (Govee brand) which will let me know if ac goes off….then the humidity would be a serious issue…repair ac asap.

[ctmurray]

I've tried searching but couldn't find the answers I need.
We just bought a home in TV. We're not retired yet. But we plan on doing so next fall.

Until then we'll be coming down on and off for a week at a time when we can use vacation time.
I've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating. just wondering if this is good advice?
Also, what temp should I keep the house at in the summer?
Any other tips or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

If you have someone who can come in, they can flush toilets. Neighbors often do this for free but there are people you can hire. I turn off the water to the house, so I do cover toilet and tank with saran wrap, I even tape the edges of wrap to hold it to the porcelain. This holds water for 5 months while we are gone. The house water on/off is in the garage but this leaves the irrigation on.

I purchased a thermostat that will turn on AC based upon temperature (I set mine to 80) or humidity (60%). The setting even has a name called "Florida setting". I have found that the humidity really never gets that high with the 80F temperature. But I use it anyway.

Having a neighbor to look after your house and have a key is very useful. I have a sensor in the house that measures the temp and humidity that I can see on the internet (some thermostats have this now). And they have had to come over when there were a few issues. They can let the service people into your house. Mine turned on the watering for extra time when my yard looked to be drying out too much.

I do put rubber stoppers in sinks where I can remove the sink plug, or I put box sealing tape over them. I put some mineral oil in the washing machine drain tube to keep it from drying out.

I unplug most things and use the circuit breaker to turn off electricity to the stove and laundry. I keep the refrigerator on, we leave some items in there during the away time. The fear is summer lightening damaging your stuff. The sensor I have knows when the power goes out and will alert me.

[fireman]

I've tried searching but couldn't find the answers I need.
We just bought a home in TV. We're not retired yet. But we plan on doing so next fall.

Until then we'll be coming down on and off for a week at a time when we can use vacation time.
I've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating. just wondering if this is good advice?
Also, what temp should I keep the house at in the summer?
Any other tips or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

A lot of good answers here.
We do a lot of these but we fill small ziplock bags with water and set on the drains.
Seemed better than taping them

[thevillages2013]

All your drains will either close or can be plugged except shower drain. A piece of rubber like the thing you would use to get a stubborn jar lid off works great with something slightly heavy sitting on it. A/C on 80 , heat on 60-66. The Saran Wrap on the toilets actually does work but bleach is your friend there. Depending on how long you will be gone you may experience a terrible smell when you return. After a few months the p-traps in all your drains (except your toilets) will dry out and sewer gas will be seeping out . Also the water (especially hot) may be stinky from sitting there that long. Run water in all drains right before closing them for departure. A reliable homewatch person would be a good idea but there are some that are completely worthless. Just going in a home and looking around is all some of them do.

[Homer49]

Mentioned several times above, but a good home watch service will provide a lot of peace of mind for low cost, and will have a good list of everything you and they should do.

We’ve used Relax Home Watch & Lawn Care (http://www.relaxhomewatch.com/) and are very pleased.

[toeser]

Reading several of the comments makes me ask, why heat your Villages home at all in the winter when you are gone? The interior of your house is never going to freeze. Winter humidity is low. Frankly, I doubt anyone's house would drop below 50 all winter.

We are gone all summer and air condition to 80. Seems to work.

[Larchap49]

I've tried searching but couldn't find the answers I need.
We just bought a home in TV. We're not retired yet. But we plan on doing so next fall.

Until then we'll be coming down on and off for a week at a time when we can use vacation time.
I've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating. just wondering if this is good advice?
Also, what temp should I keep the house at in the summer?
Any other tips or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Tape over drains not necessary, saran wrap over toilets will keep them cleaner. Make sure to sync your thermostat to your phone so you can control the temp from anywhere. Keep it at 80 degrees and every now and then cool it to around 72 to 75 to lower the humidity if you see it getting high. Turn off the water at the main in the garage or the box in the yard. Try to meet a neighbor that would be willing to monitor your irrigation or that you would let have access to let your lawn company make adjustments. You could also replace irrigation timer with wifi unit so you could adjust.

[Ski Bum]

For piece of mind, I hung up some security cameras. One or two outside to monitor the grass, trees and shrubs. I have one in the garage, laundry room, and kitchen. All have temperature sensors. Let's you track the little things, like forgetting to cancel the newspaper, you can see if the lawn service and pest people have been there. I also put my contact info on the front door.

[jrref]

I've installed a number of Honeywell WiFi thermostats. I've also installed a couple nests.

I much prefer the Honeywell because you can set it to a temperature and it doesn't try to out think you. Last fall when I was living here in FL and traveling to NJ for work about once every 6 weeks, I used my boss's NJ house up there to stay(he also lives in FL). It has a nest. It is set on ECO and doesn't keep the house warm unless someone walks past it. I'm gone for 12 hours, come back to a quite cold house. Set a temp..2 hours later, it's cooling off again. It was maddening.

I had 3 zones with Honeywell WiFi in my NJ house and one each in the two houses I own in FL. I've installed them for others too. I've even removed a Nest for a friend and installed a Honeywell for the reason I listed above.
You can turn that home/away feature off in the settings on the Nest thermostat and it will work exactly like the honeywell. I've had both.

[ElDiabloJoe]

If you have someone who can come in, they can flush toilets. Neighbors often do this for free but there are people you can hire. I turn off the water to the house, so I do cover toilet and tank with saran wrap, I even tape the edges of wrap to hold it to the porcelain. This holds water for 5 months while we are gone. The house water on/off is in the garage but this leaves the irrigation on.

I purchased a thermostat that will turn on AC based upon temperature (I set mine to 80) or humidity (60%). The setting even has a name called "Florida setting". I have found that the humidity really never gets that high with the 80F temperature. But I use it anyway.

Having a neighbor to look after your house and have a key is very useful. I have a sensor in the house that measures the temp and humidity that I can see on the internet (some thermostats have this now). And they have had to come over when there were a few issues. They can let the service people into your house. Mine turned on the watering for extra time when my yard looked to be drying out too much.

I do put rubber stoppers in sinks where I can remove the sink plug, or I put box sealing tape over them. I put some mineral oil in the washing machine drain tube to keep it from drying out.

I unplug most things and use the circuit breaker to turn off electricity to the stove and laundry. I keep the refrigerator on, we leave some items in there during the away time. The fear is summer lightening damaging your stuff. The sensor I have knows when the power goes out and will alert me.

This is all great info. The names of the products you use (make/model) would be especially helpful!

[jnsbill]

I unplug the frig and leave it open - leave all the cabinets & drawers open - not sure why but I turn off the breaker for the stove

[garylubbes]

I've tried searching but couldn't find the answers I need.
We just bought a home in TV. We're not retired yet. But we plan on doing so next fall.

Until then we'll be coming down on and off for a week at a time when we can use vacation time.
I've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating. just wondering if this is good advice?
Also, what temp should I keep the house at in the summer?
Any other tips or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

If thermostat has humidity control you can turn up A/C to 82 at least, set humidity at 60.

Shut off water , drain faucets and hose bibs, disconnect hoses.

Turn off ice maker on frig.

Unplug TVs, sound systems, motion furniture. If you don;t have WIFI connections for thermostat or other disconnect Modem.

Bring in outdoor furniture.

Remove batteries from clocks.

Confirm override/auto shutoff is working for sprinkler

Spray for bugs in and out.

Install new furnace filter.

Shut off gas to gas grill.

1/2 cup bleach in toilets, cover bowl with plastic wrap. Cover drains - sinks and showers - with blue painters tape.

[sullys]

I've tried searching but couldn't find the answers I need.
We just bought a home in TV. We're not retired yet. But we plan on doing so next fall.

Until then we'll be coming down on and off for a week at a time when we can use vacation time.
I've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating. just wondering if this is good advice?
Also, what temp should I keep the house at in the summer?
Any other tips or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

There are multiple references to this subject - check them out. see attached as well. Someone sent the link in the last few days and I saved the form.

[sallyg]

If you are only going to be gone for a week or two no need to tape drains and cover toilets. I would recommend putting out several roach baits/poison under sinks, and near exterior doorways. Turn the water off to the house, set temp between 80-83', close all blinds and you are set. If you are gone longer than a month I would do the full tape, saran wrap thing. We have done it and have not ever had a problem. Good luck.

[mcwood4d]

I've tried searching but couldn't find the answers I need.
We just bought a home in TV. We're not retired yet. But we plan on doing so next fall.

Until then we'll be coming down on and off for a week at a time when we can use vacation time.
I've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating. just wondering if this is good advice?
Also, what temp should I keep the house at in the summer?
Any other tips or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

We use The Villages Home Town Property Empty Nest Service. They have served us well over the years. They charge a daily rate that comes out to about $100 per month. They will work with vendors, accept deliveries and prepare your home for arrival or vacancies. Many other options but as I mentioned they have worked well for us over the years.

[Jcicales]

Just an FYI- many companies who can ck in home.
We use empty nesters- they come in every 10 days approx, flush all toilets- run each faucet- brush toilets - check temp and provide a detailed report via e-mail day of service. Peace of mind- especially in hot weather. Just a thought

[MX rider]

Thanks everyone for the info! We close on our house March 1st but can't be there until the 17th. We plan on getting to know our neighbors for sure. Part of the reason we choose TV. I also have a good friend in Ocala who's going to check up on it for us as well.

[Villages Kahuna]

You’ll be bringing too much stuff… way too much!

[nevjudbaker]

I've tried searching but couldn't find the answers I need.
We just bought a home in TV. We're not retired yet. But we plan on doing so next fall.

Until then we'll be coming down on and off for a week at a time when we can use vacation time.
I've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating. just wondering if this is good advice?
Also, what temp should I keep the house at in the summer?
Any other tips or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Very good advice. I do it when I leave. Shut all drains, cover other drains with something very flat & put something heavy on top. I spray house hold bug spray in the drain before I do it. Spray bug spray on your lanai/porch, under & around all doors. I get the roach killers that are black & plastic & have them all around the house. I change them every 6 months. We shut our water off in case a pipe leaks. I also have ant traps especially in the garage, around doors. Spray your garage especially around & under the garage door & the door leading to the garage. As you can tell I hate bugs. Ants & roaches can be a real problem if you don’t keep them under control.

[Seasonal]

We have a few WiFi switches and mini plugs in our house to turn some LED lights on and off along with our outdoor lights. We believe that leaving the house 100% dark at night could make you a target. Lights come on at Sunset. Outdoor lights are on until sunrise, inside lights go off at 11pm and midnight. All controlled with our cell phone.

[Malsua]

You can turn that home/away feature off in the settings on the Nest thermostat and it will work exactly like the honeywell. I've had both.

Nest Learning thermostats don't work that way. The cheaper nests will, sorta, both are a pita when it comes to holding a temp.

The only way to do it on a Nest learning is to disable a bunch of features and run a fixed schedule. It's stupid that you can't just twist to a temp, click hold. It's also bad if you're living in someone else's house then you're at the mercy of a stupid thermostat.

[Papa_lecki]

Don’t forget about prepping golf carts. I fill the tank with non ethanol gas, add stabilizer. I also had battery disconnects installed.

Everyone will have their own routine - but that’s what i do.

[TNKYGAL]

There are multiple references to this subject - check them out. see attached as well. Someone sent the link in the last few days and I saved the form.

When we closed up our house the first time, I was very concerned about what needed to be done - having a second home in this climate was quite new to us! I found this document that Sullys shared from the Florida Dep't of Agriculture helpful, and also combed TOTV for suggestions. I generated my own list putting it all together and have attached it. I added additional comments to my original list (red print) based on our own experience. I also omitted some things that didn't apply to us, most notably, golf cart items. (We now have a golf cart, so will need to add that) Hope this helps. After closing up three times now, I'm much more relaxed about it!

Good luck, and welcome!:welcome:

[thevillages2013]

It's also bad if you're living in someone else's house then you're at the mercy of a stupid thermostat.

Are those different than smart thermostats :bigbow:

[MX rider]

When we closed up our house the first time, I was very concerned about what needed to be done - having a second home in this climate was quite new to us! I found this document that Sullys shared from the Florida Dep't of Agriculture helpful, and also combed TOTV for suggestions. I generated my own list putting it all together and have attached it. I added additional comments to my original list (red print) based on our own experience. I also omitted some things that didn't apply to us, most notably, golf cart items. (We now have a golf cart, so will need to add that) Hope this helps. After closing up three times now, I'm much more relaxed about it!

Good luck, and welcome!:welcome:

Thanks a bunch!!!

[Annie66]

Here is what we do ....

Set the house thermostat at 80-82 deg F. Leave the air conditioning on.
Turn off the gas at the manifold in the attic, and place the water heater selection valve to the off position.
Put a small amount of vegetable oil in the garbage disposal, and run (without water) for 1-3 seconds.
Place bleach in the toilet bowl ---- not the tank.
Cover the toilet bowl and tank with plastic wrap. Draw a large X on the plastic wrap (for obvious reasons).
Take the outside thermometer sensor indoors.
Remove everything from the lanai, porch and outside, and place indoors.
Turn off the ice maker. Do this prior to turning off the water to the house.
Lock all windows and doors (including dead bolts).
Run vinegar and water through the Keurig and then run several cups of tap water through to clear the vinegar from the Keurig reservoir.
With the exception of lights on timers, unplug everything (washer, dryer, printers, toaster, coffee pot, wireless phones, lamps, etc.).
Turn off the water at the valve in the garage. At one of the sinks, release the pressure for both the hot and cold water supplies. Be sure to close the faucet value once the pressure has been released.
Pour a small amount of bleach in each sink trap.
Put stoppers in all the sinks.
Empty and take out all the garbage.
After backing the car out of the garage, lower the door, and set the wallpad button to the off position. Or, you can pull the plug on the garage door opener.
These actions do not have to be done necessarily in this order.

Hope they help.

[BruggsNC1]

Need to have someone periodically check on your irrigation system. If you have a high water bill, the the landscapers probably ran over a sprinkler head and you will have an "Old Faithful" gushing out water whenever the system turns on.

[DONS999]

No one answered that question about why have a furnace setting in the summer or for that matter even the winter . The pipes are never going to freeze at anytime here inTV .

I have yet to have the furnace go on this year because the house has not gone below 65. So useless you sleep with the windows open , your furnace is just like your emergency generator.

[rjm1cc]

You may want to drain your backflow if in the winter and expecting freezing temp.

[thelegges]

We can control our thermostat and lights in 6 rooms up north. Cameras at front door, in garage, living room, and basement. I can speak to what family stops by the house to check on things when they arrive through my cameras. They are All controlled by Alexa.

I am notified when any cameras show movement, give me humidity alert if to high, and temperatures in each room. Also notifications if power is out.

I control the lights by telling Alexa to turn on or off. Always random times. Set timers are a giveaway that no one is home.

My home here is controlled the same way, so if I go away for the day. I know who came to front door, and if my cat is eating, drinking or sleeping.

Years ago when we snowflakes in and out, I covered all the drains with ziplock bag full of water. Used a weekly home watch that took pics when at the house, and texted if something was wrong. Then fixed it. Home watch is piece of mind, that I didn’t have to expect a friend or neighbor to take care of

[ElDiabloJoe]

Don’t forget about prepping golf carts. I fill the tank with non ethanol gas, add stabilizer. I also had battery disconnects installed.

Everyone will have their own routine - but that’s what i do.

I also jack mine up and then put the whole cart up on four (4) jack stands. This prevents flat spots in the tires which will weaken the sidewalls and then blow your tire when you are using it.

[MX rider]

I also jack mine up and then put the whole cart up on four (4) jack stands. This prevents flat spots in the tires which will weaken the sidewalls and then blow your tire when you are using it.

Thanks but I'm not getting a cart yet. We're only going to be there a week at a time twice until next Nov. We'll just use our truck and our bikes since we love to ride anyway.

One less thing to take care of until then.

[Dorebea]

Thanks everyone for the info! We close on our house March 1st but can't be there until the 17th. We plan on getting to know our neighbors for sure. Part of the reason we choose TV. I also have a good friend in Ocala who's going to check up on it for us as well.

We close in March also ( in Hawkins). So excited. Where is your house?

[MX rider]

We close in March also ( in Hawkins). So excited. Where is your house?

Amelia

[Dorebea]

Amelia

Not quite so close that we would be neighbors but wishing you good luck. Enjoy your new home!