Seasonal Guide · Snowbird Departure
Closing Up Your Florida Home for the Summer.
The complete departure checklist for Southeast Florida seasonal residents. Everything that needs attention before you head north — water, humidity, security, pool, vessels, and the insurance details that catch people by surprise.
Most seasonal residents leave between April and May. Start this checklist two weeks before your departure date.
2 weeks out
Schedule services, review insurance, test alarm
1 week out
Deep clean, dispose of perishables, start staging
Departure day
Shut water, set AC, lock up, notify contacts
Water & Plumbing
- Shut off the main water supply valve — this single step prevents the most common and most expensive summer damage: a burst pipe or leaking fixture running unchecked for months.
- Open faucets at the highest and lowest points in the house to drain remaining water from the lines.
- Pour a cup of water (or RV antifreeze) into every drain, toilet bowl, and the garbage disposal to keep traps from drying out — sewer gas enters through dry traps.
- Turn the water heater to pilot or vacation mode. If it's electric, flip the breaker off.
- Check under every sink and around the washing machine for slow leaks before you leave.
- If your home has a sprinkler/irrigation system, set it to a reduced summer schedule — lawns still need water, but less frequently.
AC, Humidity & Climate Control
- Set the AC to 80°F — cool enough to control humidity, warm enough to avoid overworking the compressor in an empty house.
- Set dehumidifiers to maintain 50% relative humidity or below. Florida summer humidity without AC leads to mold within days.
- Replace all AC filters before you leave — a clogged filter on a system running all summer can cause a freeze-up or compressor failure.
- Leave interior doors open (including closets and bathrooms) so air circulates evenly throughout the house.
- Consider a smart thermostat with remote monitoring — you'll get an alert if the AC stops cooling or power is lost.
- Clean the AC condensate drain line — a clogged line backs up and floods the pan, shutting down the unit.
Security & Monitoring
- Test your alarm system with the monitoring company — confirm they have your current contact and emergency contact information.
- Lock all windows, doors, and the garage. Disconnect the garage door opener or lock it in the down position.
- Install smart leak sensors near the water heater, under sinks, and by the AC pan — they alert your phone at the first sign of water.
- Set lights on timers in multiple rooms to simulate occupancy — vary the on/off times slightly.
- Notify your security patrol (if you have one) that the home will be vacant and provide emergency contact numbers.
- Store valuables, jewelry, and important documents in a safe or off-site deposit box.
- Consider a home watch service for regular physical inspections — most insurance policies require it for vacant homes.
Mail, Deliveries & Accounts
- Submit a USPS hold-mail request (up to 30 days) or arrange mail forwarding for the season.
- Suspend newspaper and package deliveries — an overflowing mailbox or pile of newspapers is a vacancy signal.
- Pause or redirect any recurring deliveries: meal kits, subscriptions, Amazon, etc.
- Notify your bank and credit card companies of your seasonal address change to avoid fraud flags.
- Pay any recurring bills in advance or set up auto-pay — late fees and lien risks don't take the summer off.
- Update your voter registration and driver's license address if you maintain dual-state residency.
Vehicles & Vessels
- Fill the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer to any vehicle being stored — ethanol fuel degrades in 30–60 days.
- Disconnect the battery or use a trickle charger to keep it alive during storage.
- Cover vehicles stored in the garage or carport to protect from dust and humidity.
- For boats on a lift: raise fully, secure the cover, disconnect shore power, and remove electronics and valuables.
- For boats in the water: arrange a monthly hull check, bottom cleaning, and line adjustment through your marina or captain.
- Notify your auto and marine insurance carriers — some offer reduced rates for seasonal storage.
Pool, Landscaping & Exterior
- Shock the pool and set the pump timer to run 6–8 hours per day. Arrange weekly or bi-weekly pool service.
- Trim trees and palms away from the roof and screens — summer storms will drop branches.
- Arrange lawn service to continue through the summer — an overgrown lawn signals vacancy and violates most HOA rules.
- Clean gutters and downspouts before departure — summer storms bring heavy debris.
- Inspect and treat for pests: schedule a quarterly pest control service to continue while you're away.
- Check screen enclosures for tears and repair them — a small tear becomes a blown-out screen in one storm.
Insurance & Vacancy
The insurance gap most snowbirds miss.
A standard homeowner's policy may reduce or void coverage after 30–60 days of unoccupancy. If you leave without addressing this, a summer claim could be denied.
- Confirm your policy covers a vacant or unoccupied home — many standard policies reduce coverage after 30–60 days of vacancy.
- Review your windstorm and flood deductibles — you may need a separate flood policy through the NFIP or a private insurer.
- Update your home inventory with current photos and values before you leave.
- Confirm your liability coverage is adequate if someone (a contractor, pool service, or visitor) is injured on the property while you're away.
- Check whether your policy requires periodic inspections by you or a watch service — some carriers will deny claims from homes that weren't checked.
- Keep your insurance agent's number accessible from your northern residence.
Why a home watch service matters
The peace-of-mind difference.
A good home watch service does more than drive by. We walk the interior and exterior, check humidity readings, inspect for water intrusion and pests, verify the AC is running, and send you a photo report after every visit. If something goes wrong — a slow leak, an AC failure, a storm — you know within days, not months.
Private memberships start at $400/month and are customized to the residence — documented inspections with photo reports, storm-season monitoring, vendor coordination, and a 7-day-a-week emergency contact.
- Twice-monthly inspectionsInterior + exterior walkthrough with photo report
- Storm monitoringPre-storm shutter & dock checks, post-storm walk
- AC & humidity checksFilter, drip pan, and humidity readings each visit
- Emergency responsePriority coordination, 7 days a week
- Vendor coordinationWe meet the plumber so you don't have to
- Insurance documentationInspection logs satisfy vacancy requirements
Let's talk
Head north with your home in good hands.
Mangrove handles the entire departure checklist, monitors your home while you're away, and has it ready when you return. Private memberships from $400/month.