Closing Florida Home for Season Checklist

Three Weeks Before Leaving:

• Make appointment for HVAC maintenance check & have HVAC professional calibrate humidistat

• Call home telephone company to suspend service during your absence

• Review Homeowner’s Insurance policy and update, if necessary

• Determine what methods you will use to control relative humidity and/or control fungal growth in your home

• Choose someone you trust to check on your home & provide them with house keys

• Arrange for lawn care

• Arrange to have hurricane shutters inspected and hung

Two Weeks Before Leaving:

• Obtain timers for lamps, radios, or other appliances

• Forward mail through USPS

• Leave a copy of your homeowner’s insurance, agent’s name, and number in a conspicuous place

• Begin using methods to control relative humidity such as:

  • Run air conditioning on humidistat settings to test reliability (running 2 hours a day)

  • Purchase desiccants

  • Clean with fungicidal products to remove existing fungal spores

  • Place DampRid moisture absorbers in closets

  • Check that dehumidifier is working (if you choose to use one)

    Place in central location and secure continuous drain

One Week Before Leaving:

• Put newspaper, cable, and internet services on “seasonal” hold

• Clean fridge and freezer & dispose of foods and spices that will not keep

• Vacuum upholstered furnishing to get rid of mold spores

• Bring furniture and lawn decorations inside

• Remove interior and exterior plants in pots and containers

Two Days Before Leaving:

• Fill several jugs with tap water in case your home watch service needs it

• Turn fridge to lowest setting and dispose of opened condiments and perishable food

• Dispose of carbonated drinks

• Turn icemaker off and empty tray

The Day You Leave:

• Empty fridge and freezer, put open bowl of baking soda in, disconnect, and leave doors open

• Run ice cubes and 3 tablespoons of baking soda in the garbage disposal to clean blades

• Empty dishwasher

• Set timers on lights

• Drain and disconnect water heater

• Strip bedding

• Turn fans on low to circulate air more efficiently

• Cover drains with stopper and duct tape

• Cover and seal toilets with saran wrap

• If using chemical mildew inhibitors, cover air passages with 2 ml plastic

• Set alarm system

• Check air conditioner for accurate settings

  For a programmable thermostat, contact Florida Power & Light for recommended setting

• Set off bug bombs/foggers, if desired

• Lock doors and secure exterior