Snowbirding and Home Care

[BobandSandy]

When away from the home for an extended period, how do we prevent mold growth in Toilets?
With all of the snowbirds a lot of folks probably know the solution to this....but not us!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Clean/scrub the bowl, etc. well with a bleach solution before leaving - should work well for a good period of time. If you're having a home watch person or a neighbor stop in occasionally to check inside your place, you could have them flush the toilets periodically as well.

Bill :)

[jgbama]

Clean/scrub the bowl, etc. well with a bleach solution before leaving - should work well for a good period of time. If you're having a home watch person or a neighbor stop in occasionally to check inside your place, you could have them flush the toilets periodically as well.

Bill :)

Bill you always give good advise! KUDOS. Hope your Christmas was a good one and may 2012 be your best year ever!:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[Ohiogirl]

Clean/scrub the bowl, etc. well with a bleach solution before leaving - should work well for a good period of time. If you're having a home watch person or a neighbor stop in occasionally to check inside your place, you could have them flush the toilets periodically as well.

Bill :)

Just remember to have them turn the water back on first - it should be turned off when you are gone for an extended period.

[njbchbum]

When away from the home for an extended period, how do we prevent mold growth in Toilets?
With all of the snowbirds a lot of folks probably know the solution to this....but not us!

after cleanting the toilet i leave a 'quick pour' of bleach in the toilet water and then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave the lid up. works great!

[graciegirl]

In the three years of snowbirding, didn't see any mold in toilets. We did turn off the water, but didn't do anything else with the toilets but leave them clean, didn't cover them etc. We set the air at 83 as we were told to keep the humidity at an appropriate level.

Never felt the need to hire a "watcher".

Our new neighbors left to go North for the holidays last week and several days later, I saw their garage door up. I called Village Watch who called them and then I called them. They said their watcher person forgot to close it.

I am of the opinion that the less people to go in and out the better.

We never had mold in our dishwasher, nothing untoward happened but some spider webs in the corners here and there.

We had full time neighbors who kept an eye on our house.

[BobandSandy]

Thanks for these good common sense suggestions.

[JimPete]

In the three years of snowbirding, didn't see any mold in toilets. We did turn off the water, but didn't do anything else with the toilets but leave them clean, didn't cover them etc. We set the air at 83 as we were told to keep the humidity at an appropriate level.

Never felt the need to hire a "watcher".

Our new neighbors left to go North for the holidays last week and several days later, I saw their garage door up. I called Village Watch who called them and then I called them. They said their watcher person forgot to close it.

I am of the opinion that the less people to go in and out the better.

We never had mold in our dishwasher, nothing untoward happened but some spider webs in the corners here and there.

We had full time neighbors who kept an eye on our house.

What about the fridge? Do you leave it running or empty it and turn it off? :shrug:

Jim

[Bill-n-Brillo]

We leave ours running when we're away from TV. We set the temp up higher (to a lower number on the dials on ours) and leave several jugs of water in it. Google "empty fridge water jugs" (without the quotes) for some insight/opinions on the concept.

Bill :)

[njbchbum]

What about the fridge? Do you leave it running or empty it and turn it off? :shrug:

Jim

we empty and leave our fridge on with a jug of water in it, too

we flip all the elec breakers 'cept for the fridge and a/c

we empty the kitchen pantry and what food we do not take home or toss we donate to local food pantry

and we invite neighbors to use our driveway for their extra car or guests

[JimPete]

Thanks guys. These are things I've never had to consider before. You should write an articule with suggestions for those of us who will start snowbirding soon.

Jim

[skyguy79]

What about the fridge? Do you leave it running or empty it and turn it off? :shrug:

JimIf you leave it running make sure to turn off the ice cube maker! I've also heard that it's also a good idea to place a small open box of baking soda in the fridge to control odors. That goes for when you there too!

[philnpat]

we empty and leave our fridge on with a jug of water in it, too

we flip all the elec breakers 'cept for the fridge and a/c

we empty the kitchen pantry and what food we do not take home or toss we donate to local food pantry

and we invite neighbors to use our driveway for their extra car or guests

If all the electrical breakers are turned off with the exception of the A/C and fridge there's a good chance that your front pole lamp and irrigation system won't work. The irrigation timer has a battery backup but it only keeps the timer settings and clock working.

[Tom Hannon]

If you leave it running make sure to turn off the ice cube maker! I've also heard that it's also a good idea to place a small open box of baking soda in the fridge to control odors. That goes for when you there too!

I was going to add those tips about the fridge, but SkyGuy beat me to it. I also put anything from the pantry I wish to keep. Breakfast bars, unopened Cherrios, etc. All these tips are good but the most important is "TURN OFF THAT ICE MAKER". PS: The only fuse I turn off is the hot water heater. I unplug all major appliances.

[bonrich]

Just to add to the suggestions, it was recommended to me to flip the hot water breaker off and drain the tank of hot water and replace it with new water, (hot heated). Then when the breaker is turned on, and the new water heated, it prevents that skunky smell from occuring.
Also, we had a humidistat installed. That controls the humidity in your home, which is the cause of mold problems. Set the a/c at 78 and the humidistat at 60%. The humiditat controls the a/c. The a/c is turned on not because it is hot, but if the humidity gets above the 60%. Also bought Damp Rid packets to hang in the closets. They really work!!

[njbchbum]

If all the electrical breakers are turned off with the exception of the A/C and fridge there's a good chance that your front pole lamp and irrigation system won't work. The irrigation timer has a battery backup but it only keeps the timer settings and clock working.

doesn't seem to be a prob, thanx...don't know what breaker those items are on - but they have been working with no problem during all of our absences. maybe someone else's would be impacted, tho'.

[Buckeye7]

Snowbirding and Home Care

We leave our A/C set for 79º Apparently that is a magic number in TV Land.

[Barefoot]

We follow the detailed checklist provided by the Homewatch Company, which has at least 20 reminder items. We have a Humidistat which saves us a ton of money. I put bowls of coffee in each room. If we forget to turn on the ceiling fans or open closet doors or close the blinds, etc., we know our Homewatch Company will take care of it. Before we arrive back in TV, our Homewatch turns up the fridge temperature, and reconnects anything we've disconnected.

We find that having a Homewatch Service gives us peace of mind. Some Insurance Companies require regular home checks. We don't want to impose on our great neighbors, even though they do offer.

[TF Hutch]

Thanks guys. These are things I've never had to consider before. You should write an articule with suggestions for those of us who will start snowbirding soon.

Jim

You just started the thread. A few more responses and you will have an article, whoops an "articule" ;)

Don't forget to let folks know how to reach you or your caretaker when you're gone. Someone should go by and check that there is no UPS or other deliveries (papers, circulars, phone books etc) lying around. You are responsible for landscaping as well.
I think it wise to hire or arrange for someone to look after your home, run away irrigation can make a mess.

[TednRobin]

When away from the home for an extended period, how do we prevent mold growth in Toilets?
With all of the snowbirds a lot of folks probably know the solution to this....but not us!

We have Mary and Ed Edwards watch our place, they come in weekly and swish our toilets w the brush. Had no problems whatsoever.

[Harry Gilbert]

won't work for the toilet but....

Place a penny on top of a full and frozen ice cube tray in the freezer. If you open the freezer and the penny is not on top of the ice then you know that the power has went out and is time to empty the fridge.