Every spring, snowbirds head north and Naples homes go quiet. The months that follow are hot, humid and storm-prone, which makes the way you close up your home matter a great deal. A few hours of preparation before you leave can prevent most of the common problems that show up in unoccupied Florida homes: leaks, mold, pests, spoiled food and AC failures.
Use this checklist as a starting point and adapt it to your home. If you have a home watch provider, share it with them so they know what you have done and what you expect them to check. You can reach an independent local provider by calling the number on this page.
Water and plumbing
Water problems cause the most expensive damage in unoccupied homes, so start here.
- Look under every sink, around toilets and at the water heater for drips or stains. Fix small leaks before you leave.
- Decide whether to shut off the main water supply. Many owners do, but check your insurance policy and your home's irrigation and ice-maker setup first.
- If you shut off the main, open a faucet to relieve pressure, and consider turning off the water heater at the breaker.
- Turn off the supply to the washing machine and dishwasher.
- Run water in rarely used showers and tubs and flush toilets so traps are full; ask your provider to repeat this during visits.
Air conditioning and humidity
Leave the AC on. A closed, warm Florida home develops mildew quickly, and furniture, cabinets and clothing can be damaged. Many owners set the thermostat in the high 70s and use a humidity setting if the system has one. Ask your AC company what they recommend for your equipment.
- Replace the air filter before you leave.
- Make sure the condensate drain line is clear; a clogged line can cause water damage.
- Consider a smart thermostat or a humidity sensor that alerts you to problems.
- Leave interior doors open so air circulates, and keep closets slightly open.
- Have the AC serviced each spring before you leave.
Kitchen, food and trash
Remove all perishables from the refrigerator and freezer, take out the trash and clean the appliances. Leave the refrigerator door slightly ajar if the unit will be unplugged, or leave it running with only non-perishables if you prefer. Wipe counters and sweep floors to avoid attracting ants and roaches.
Store dry food in sealed containers. Pests find unattended pantries quickly, and a pest control company can place treatments before you leave.
Pool, lanai and outdoor areas
Arrange pool service for the summer and tell your pool company and your home watch provider about each other. Secure or store outdoor furniture, cushions and decorations. Check lanai screens for holes and trim plants away from the house.
Set irrigation timers appropriately for the rainy season, or turn them off if they are not needed. Make sure outdoor lights are working and that landscaping is scheduled.
Security and access
Lock all doors and windows, including the lanai and garage. Test your alarm system and confirm who is on the call list. Give your provider and a trusted neighbor your contact information.
Hold your mail or arrange for someone to collect it. Remove spare keys hidden outside. Tell your HOA or building management how to reach you and your provider, and who is authorized to enter the home.
Paperwork, instructions and insurance
Write down your instructions: thermostat setting, shutoff locations, vendors and who may authorize repairs up to what amount. Check that your insurance is current and note any requirements for unoccupied periods. Keep photos of the home's condition before you leave.
Arrange a schedule with your home watch provider and ask for written reports. If something goes wrong, you want to hear about it early, from someone who knows your home.
A last walk-through
On your final day, walk the house once more with this list, then take photos of each room and the exterior. Lock up, set the alarm and confirm the thermostat before you leave. The extra half hour is worth it.
Electronics, appliances and power
Unplug small appliances, chargers and electronics that do not need to stay on, both to reduce fire risk and to protect them from power surges during summer storms. Consider whole-house surge protection if you do not have it. Turn the water heater to its vacation setting or off, depending on the manufacturer's guidance, and leave the refrigerator on only if you are keeping items in it.
Leave the AC, any alarm system and any smart sensors powered. If you use a smart thermostat, check that it is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network and that the alerts go to a phone you will actually read.
Vehicles, golf carts and boats
If you leave a vehicle in Naples, fill the tank, disconnect or maintain the battery and consider a cover if it will sit outside. Ask your home watch provider whether they can start the vehicle periodically. A golf cart's batteries usually need to be maintained on a charger, and a boat on a lift needs its own arrangements. Spell out each request, because these tasks go beyond a standard home watch visit.
Check your insurance for any vehicle or watercraft left unattended during hurricane season.
Pests and wildlife
Naples homes see ants, roaches, termites, rodents and sometimes larger visitors. Seal gaps around doors and vents, keep trash out, and schedule a pest control treatment before you leave. A quarterly pest plan is common. Ask your provider to look for droppings, chewed material or insect trails during visits.
Check the exterior for anything that could invite wildlife, such as fruit on the ground or standing water. Standing water also breeds mosquitoes, so empty containers and check that the pool is covered or well maintained.
Coming back in the fall
Plan a pre-arrival visit a few days before you return. Ask the provider to open the home, turn the water back on, check for leaks, run the AC, flush the system, check for pests, stock groceries if you want and send you a report. It turns the first day back into a relaxed arrival instead of a repair job. Our snowbird arrival and departure service is designed for exactly this.
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CALL NOW (239) 592-3458Frequently asked questions
Should I turn off the water when I leave for the summer?
Many owners do, but check your insurance policy and your home's systems. Write your choice in the instructions you leave for your caretaker.
What temperature should I leave the AC at?
Many owners choose a setting in the high 70s and use humidity control if available. Ask your AC technician for your equipment.
How often should someone check the house?
Weekly or biweekly is common during the hot months. See our guide on visit frequency.
Do I need to empty the refrigerator?
Removing perishables is a good idea, because a power outage can leave spoiled food and odors.
Related reading
- Snowbird arrival and departure prep service
- How often should home watch visits happen?
- Hurricane season checklist
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Information here is general and is not legal, insurance or engineering advice. Serving Naples and Collier County, Florida. Calls may be recorded.