Winterizing your home should be on your checklist if you plan to take a trip during the winter months. One of the most common winterizing tasks for Florida homes includes leaving a small drip in the faucet so the pipes don’t freeze.
As important as winterizing your home is, de-winterizing your home is equally important when you return home from your travels.
De-winterizing your Florida home is simply reverting your home back to how it was before winterizing it. Referring to your appliance manuals can also help shed light on how to best prepare them for winter. The following are a few steps to de-winterize your Florida home.
It is good practice to unplug your lamps and appliances before leaving your home for a few days or weeks to help prevent an electrical shortage or potential fire. Just be sure to plug them back in when you return home.
Most Floridians typically don’t use too much gas for their electricity, but some home appliances may be fueled by it, such as a stovetop. If your home uses gas appliances and you turned them off prior to leaving be sure to turn them back on so you can begin using them again.
Though Florida may not experience too much foliage, leaves and debris can clog roof gutters. Be sure your roof gutters are clear and the downspouts are positioned to carry water away from your home.
You may have programmed your thermostat and alarm to accommodate the exterior temperature and your being away. Don’t forget to reprogram both of these items back to your comfort level when you return.
Be sure to check your exterior hoses and faucets for any signs of leaks or cracks if there were freeze warnings while you were away.
Florida homes may not experience snow, but they are subject to hard freezes that can damage plants, and pipes and wreak havoc on your HVAC system. It is important to prepare your home for winter and remember to properly de-winterize it, especially if you are leaving town during the season.
Installing high-performance windows and doors in your home can help your HVAC system do less work throughout each season. Click the button below to learn more about how you can properly care for your windows and doors all year round.