[BruDon]

Don’t forget the washer. Drain and winterize!

[justjim]

Snowbird for several years from Illinois with no problems. You already got a lot of good advice. Just emphasize two things. We set our thermostat at 65 degrees and paid someone to visit every week to check on things and report via email. We insisted on paying because we wanted to make everybody happy and responsible. We did the same (housewatch) when we go back north in the summer. It really paid for itself when our AC went out a few years ago. Good luck and enjoy...

[dicksiggy]

Originally Posted by jabacon6669

Moving to TV right after Christmas. Looking for some advise on what we need to do to winterize our home in Maine till we return inMay. We're turning our heat down to fifty. We have three Camara's monitoring the house. Should we flush the toilets out and leave the faucets open. We plan on shutting off our well pump, not sure if this is recommended. Any suggestions?

We are from Saint Albans Maine. We have been doing this for 28 years now. All we have ever done is shut off well pump, drain hot water heater, winterize with RV anti-freeze, shut off electricity. We get back in May and not once have we ever had a problem.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by jabacon6669

Moving to TV right after Christmas. Looking for some advise on what we need to do to winterize our home in Maine till we return inMay. We're turning our heat down to fifty. We have three Camara's monitoring the house. Should we flush the toilets out and leave the faucets open. We plan on shutting off our well pump, not sure if this is recommended. Any suggestions?

I would suggest you ask in Maine. Toilets? I'm not sure what you are saying or thinking.
People usually add an anti freeze solution to the toilet as your toilet has a trap in it that blocks out sewer gas. If, you simply flush the toilet and drain the tank you may well freeze and crack the trap. Leave the heat on at 50. Your heating system either gas or oil or????? Uses electricity to light and to circulate the heat. Should your electricity go out.

Teasing a bit-Why you should ask in Maine. Finding the proper antifreeze to use in Maine toilets, in Florida, is about the same as finding a snow shovel.

[Curtisbwp]

There are hundreds of snow birds here. I have a home in Harrison Maine.

[Rlheinz19@yahoo.com]

I had to reread as I thought you said "moose traps". Lol

[dadoiron]

Originally Posted by jabacon6669

Moving to TV right after Christmas. Looking for some advise on what we need to do to winterize our home in Maine till we return inMay. We're turning our heat down to fifty. We have three Camara's monitoring the house. Should we flush the toilets out and leave the faucets open. We plan on shutting off our well pump, not sure if this is recommended. Any suggestions?

Hope someone is feeding your Camara's. I hear they get very hungry.😂🤣😅

[THUNDERCHIEF]

Talk to a plumber in your area. They can give you better advice than people in the villages

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by jabacon6669

Moving to TV right after Christmas. Looking for some advise on what we need to do to winterize our home in Maine till we return inMay. We're turning our heat down to fifty. We have three Camara's monitoring the house. Should we flush the toilets out and leave the faucets open. We plan on shutting off our well pump, not sure if this is recommended. Any suggestions?

My girlfriend’s brother has a house on Great Diamond Island a couple miles by ferry from Portland. He hires a handyman to winterize his house, which he leaves unheated all winter. (Are you sure you will NOT lose power for several days in Maine in the winter?) this includes blowing air through the pipes and all that. It’s not hard, but you have to know how and do it in the right order. I think he pays about $200. You can also get a plumber to do it. Many thousands of people in Maine have this done, including those with summer cabins.

[rphil11ort]

Recommend you have the pipes blown out. If not you could get breaks In Low areas

[rphil11ort]

Recommend you have the pipes blown out. If not you could get breaks In Low areas and the heating system too

[oneclickplus]

Originally Posted by jabacon6669

Moving to TV right after Christmas. Looking for some advise on what we need to do to winterize our home in Maine till we return inMay. We're turning our heat down to fifty. We have three Camara's monitoring the house. Should we flush the toilets out and leave the faucets open. We plan on shutting off our well pump, not sure if this is recommended. Any suggestions?

Great replies here and hopefully you have heard what you need. I'm just stunned that just a couple of days before leaving Maine for the winter, you are asking how to do what you should have planned weeks ago. You may not have enough time.

[jabacon6669]

Thanks for all the info, including critics, I have a good sense of humor. We do have a lot of things in place, and was just making sure we haven't forgot anything. Waiting till the last week was intentional, and not a problem. We have a heat pump and baseboard FHW, fueled with propane. 55 degrees seems to be a good temp. We have a Nest thermostat with two external monitors, one in basement, one in rear bath, so we can monitor the house temps from afar. We also have a whole house generator, with a auto on when power goes out. Again we can monitor that afar, as does our generator company, only $50/yr for that well worth it. We will shut down our water supply and add RV antifreeze to toilets and all traps, just in case. We will leave the frighted running but shut off ice maker. Cameras can also be monitored from afar. Relatives in area will also check the house occasionally. I think we got it covered. Again, Thanks to All, Happy Holidays to All.

[tophcfa]

Sounds like you got it covered, Merry Christmas and safe travels : )

[Smilingfeelsgood]

Originally Posted by jabacon6669

Moving to TV right after Christmas. Looking for some advise on what we need to do to winterize our home in Maine till we return inMay. We're turning our heat down to fifty. We have three Camara's monitoring the house. Should we flush the toilets out and leave the faucets open. We plan on shutting off our well pump, not sure if this is recommended. Any suggestions?

For my home in Maine I had a Honeywell interactive thermostat installed. I can adjust the heat up or down from my cell phone. Also, be warned if temp is too hi, too low, or communication is lost, a power failure. Tells me when power is restored as well. Don't forget your home alarm system and your ring camera. All things to keep you home safe, warm and cozy for your return in May. Happy Holidays!