These “snowbirds” are not the feathery, wide-eyed types who nest in branches above. We’re speaking of the human variety that spent the long, cold winter in warmer climates such as Florida, California, Arizona and New Mexico. As May is just around the corner, snowbirds across the country will be packing up their belongings and closing up their homes for the season.
With the next winter more than six months away, homes will sit idle and abandoned for a long period of time. There are several important steps snowbirds can take to prepare their homes for the long summer.
Consider ways to protect your winter home against:
Water leaks and high temperatures, which combined can lead to expensive mold damage.
American Leak Detection offices across the nation offer a 15+ point Leak Audit of your property. Expert technicians can locate potential problems in plumbing infrastructure before an issue surfaces. Many leaks are hidden beneath the surface or behind walls and are not visible until water, stains or mold surface.
Water damage is the leading cause of homeowners’ insurance claims. A small leak can cause major damage if it goes undetected, according to home columnist Kimberly Lankford.
Shut off the water before you leave and consider the benefits of installing a home generator, which will keep the air-conditioning functional if the electricity goes out from a storm. It’s also a good idea to have smoke detectors tied to a centrally monitored fire alarm system so your local fire department can be notified if the alarm goes off.
Also make sure you have the right type of homeowners’ insurance for your area. Buy a sewer back-up rider for your homeowners’ insurance policy and consider purchasing flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program.
