Allison Walker, Your Home
The end of April is about the time when snowbird season wraps up, but before you head up north for the summer, forgetting to do a few things could have you returning to a home that is in nightmare condition.
First, you may think you should turn off your refrigerator to save money on power, but the experts say you'll be happy you left it on. If you turn if off and the door happens to shut, you will be faced with major mold when you return.
Another place where mold can form is in the dishwasher, so be sure to prop the door open before you leave.
You also don't need to unplug the stove.
These are the things to turn off or unplug:
- Water. Turn it off at the emergency cut-off valve outside the home.
- Close the fireplace flue.
- Unplug your appliances like computers, lamps, TVs and stereos
- Remove the phone jack from the wall if you have a modem.
While you are away for the summer, remember Central Florida's frequent lightning storms.
Experts say you can double your protection against electrical surges with a whole-house surge protector, which is installed in the main electrical panel.
One of the best things service people say you can do is to ask friends or neighbors to check out your home as often as they can.
Have them open or close the drapes occasionally, too, so it's not as obvious that you are gone for the summer.
If you're overwhelmed by the do's and don'ts, you can always hire a home inspection service to do it for you. Just make sure the one you choose is licensed, bonded and insured.
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