[Annie66]

This is the list we use. Feel free to modify the list as you see fit.

Closing The House To Do List

1 Set the house thermostat at 80-82 deg F. Leave the air conditioning on.
2 Turn off the gas at the manifold in the attic.
3 Place the water heater selection valve to the off position.
4 Put a small amount of vegetable oil in the garbage disposal, and run (without water) for 1-3 seconds.
5 Place bleach in the toilet bowl and the tank.
6 Cover the toilet bowl and tank with plastic wrap. Draw a large X on the plastic wrap (for obvious reasons).
7 Take the outside thermometer sensor indoors.
8 Change the batteries in the smoke detectors.
9 Remove everything from the lanai, porch and outside, and place indoors.
10 Turn off the ice maker. Do this prior to turning off the water to the house.
11 Lock all windows and doors (including dead bolts).
12 Run vinegar and water through the Keurig and then run several cups of tap water through to clear the vinegar from the Keurig reservoir.
13 With the exception of lights on timers, unplug everything (washer, dryer, printers, toaster, coffee pot, wireless phones, lamps, etc.).
14 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.
15 Pour a small amount of bleach in each sink trap.
16 Put stoppers in all the sinks.
17 Empty and take out all the garbage.
18 After backing the car out of the garage, lower the door, and set the wall pad 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.

[Ritagoyer]

Originally Posted by bellringer606

Easier fix on toilets. Instead of plastic wrap take a plastic garbage bag and drape it over the toilet then lower the seat. Done in seconds.

Why plastic wrap or trash bag on toilet ?

[Mhollowaygleasom]

[Do yourself a favor and hire a home watch service. We owned for 3 years prior to retirement, hired home watcher and had peace of mind. Well worth the money.

[SullyP]

Annie66, fantastic list, thank you!

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by Ritagoyer

Why plastic wrap or trash bag on toilet ?

See Posts Nos. 12, 14, 15.

[wganderson13]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Turn off water heater also

[ChicagoNative]

Good tips here, but while I agree with turning off house water and ice maker, I don’t agree with turning off fridge.

Use, give, or throw away any perishable food that won’t be good upon your return. I put all my pastas, cereals, condiments in the fridge while away along with several bottles of water and wine. For the freezer, I freeze a small Dixie cup of water ahead of time and place a coin on top. If the coin is in a different position on your return, you’ll know that there has been some thawing.

Throw a cupful of bleach into your toilet bowls before Saran wrapping them. Unplug all your other appliances and electronics and/or make sure you have surge protectors. Set the ac to 85 and if you have a humidistat, set that to 55.

And finally, it’s always a good idea to give a trusted neighbor a key and have them do a walkthrough at least monthly. If you don’t have any neighbors that you trust, there are professional house watching services.

[Quickdraw]

The expression that whatever doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. This is not true. Whatever doesn't kill us merely postpones the inevitable.

[La lamy]

Good to also keep blinds down to help keep inner house temp less heated up from the sunshine.

[Villagesgal]

Do not put bleach inside your toilet tank, it will degrade the rubber gasket and any other rubber parts and is not necessary.

[rogerk]

A lot of good advice. Check with your Homeowners Insurance company. Many, if not most or all, require that a person check the inside of your house regularly. Mine in Pittsburgh required itbe cake Ked every week as I recall.

Also I want to support the importance of lawn and shrub maintenance and treatment. Everything, good and bad, grow quickly in Florida. This happens year round.

Check out Empty Nest. The cost is about $100 a month but they are thorough, reliable and VERY helpful.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by Annie66

18 After backing the car out of the garage, lower the door, and set the wall pad button to the off position. Or, you can pull the plug on the garage door opener.

Here's one you might want to keep in mind on your garage door.

Robbers are using a Stiff wire with a hook, inserts into the top garage door, hooks
the release rope with their wire and trips the garage door to open.
I remove my release rope years ago.

[jimhurtt@twc.com]

Leaving standing water in toilet without leaving lid up will trap evaporation creating mold/mildew. (From experience)

[jimhurtt@twc.com]

Leaving standing water in toilet without leaving lid up will trap evaporation creating mold/mildew. (From experience)

[mikeritz53]

Originally Posted by SullyP

Looking for advice on how to prep home for extended absences.
Closing on our TV home in 3 weeks, but for next year can only visit every 3-4 months, will have security system. What advices/tips do you have for preparing our home for those extended absences?

Make sure to check with your Insurance Agent. Some Policies have a Vacancy Clause which basically says if you do not have an actual company making weekly visits they can deny a claim. Not all have it, but better to be safe and check.

If you need a Home Watch Company see my Ad in the Village Sun Classifieds and or give me a call at 585-739-8933, I manage 60+ Snowbirds and 40+ Rentals in The Villages and would be happy to help.