Opening your Florida home for the season goes smoothly when water, A/C, fixtures and food are handled before you walk in the door. Start with a careful walkthrough, bring the water and water heater back on safely, flush the fixtures, confirm the A/C is cooling and stock the kitchen. This pre-arrival checklist from True North Home Watch covers each step for second homes in Naples, Marco Island and Bonita Springs, and shows what we can do for you before you land.
Key takeaways
- Book pre-arrival help early. True North asks for 48 hours' notice for concierge services.
- Walk the home first: look and smell for leaks, mold and pests before you unpack.
- Bring the water and water heater back on per your manual, then flush every fixture, as the CDC advises.
- Return the water heater to about 120°F, as the Department of Energy suggests.
- Let True North handle pre-arrival prep and groceries so your first day is a vacation, not a to-do list.
What should I do two weeks before I arrive?
Once your travel dates are set, line up help. At True North, concierge services need 48 hours' courtesy notice, but peak arrival weeks fill up, so earlier is better.
- Book pre-arrival preparation (from $75) so the home is opened and ready.
- Send a grocery list for fridge and pantry stocking ($75 flat fee plus purchases).
- Schedule vendors you'll want early, like pool service, pest control, cleaners or an A/C tune-up. We can let them in at $35 per half-hour.
- Arrange vehicle help if your car or golf cart needs to be ready ($75).
- Update your gate or HOA access list for arrival week, including any vendors.
What should the first walkthrough look for?
Whether it's you or us, the first walk through a home that's been closed up should happen before anything is unpacked. Look for:
- Water stains on ceilings, walls and floors, and damp spots under sinks and around the water heater.
- Musty smells or visible mold, especially in closets, bathrooms and behind furniture on exterior walls.
- Pests, droppings or nests, inside and on the lanai.
- A/C problems, like a warm house, a wet air handler area or a full drain pan.
- Storm or weather damage outside, including screens, soffits and landscaping.
The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. If anything is wet, deal with it first. If you've had home watch visits all season, this step usually holds no surprises, because problems were found and handled along the way.
How do I turn the water and water heater back on safely?
How do I turn the water main back on?
Open the main shut-off slowly and listen for running water. Then walk the home and check under every sink and around toilets, the washer and the water heater for drips.
How do I restart the water heater?
Follow your manufacturer's instructions. For electric tanks, make sure the tank is full before turning the power back on. For gas units, you may need to relight the pilot.
Bradford White's manual warns that hydrogen gas can build up in a water heater when no hot water has been drawn for about two weeks or more. It advises running the kitchen hot water faucet for several minutes first, with no smoking or open flame nearby. When in doubt, call a licensed plumber.
Why flush every fixture?
The CDC recommends flushing fixtures that haven't been used for a week or more and keeping water heaters at or above 120°F to help control Legionella. The Department of Energy also suggests 120°F as an everyday setting. Run hot and cold water at every faucet, shower and tub for a few minutes, and flush each toilet.
For more detail, see our guide to water heater vacation mode.
How do I get the A/C and humidity back to normal?
Set the thermostat to your comfortable temperature a day before you arrive, so the house has time to cool and dry out. Replace the air filter if it's due. Check that the condensate line is draining and the area around the air handler is dry.
The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent. If the home feels damp or smells musty, run the A/C longer or use a dehumidifier, and look for the source.
What about the kitchen and groceries?
| Task | Tip |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator and freezer | Make sure both are cold before stocking. Clean out anything left behind. |
| Ice maker | Turn it back on after the water is running. Toss the first few batches. |
| Dishwasher | Run an empty cycle to flush the lines. |
| Disposal | Run water and the disposal to clear the drain. |
| Groceries | Send True North a list and we'll stock the fridge and pantry before you land. |
What should I check outside, and with my car and golf cart?
- Walk the lanai and pool cage for torn screens or storm damage.
- Check the irrigation system is running on your in-season schedule.
- Confirm pool service is back to your in-season routine.
- Put outdoor furniture back in place.
For your golf cart, charge the batteries fully before driving. Trojan Battery advises charging completely and using distilled water when topping off flooded batteries. For your car, check the battery, tires and fluids, or have us handle it with our vehicle and golf cart assistance.
What should I do in my first week back?
- Replace the A/C filter if it wasn't done before you arrived.
- Test smoke and CO detectors and replace batteries that are due.
- Restart services like pool, pest control, landscaping and cleaning on your in-season schedule.
- Check your hurricane supplies if you're arriving before November 30, when the season ends.
- Update your home watch schedule. Many owners pause or reduce visits while they're in residence and keep concierge help for vendor visits and deliveries.
- Review your insurance. Let your agent know you're back in residence if your policy asked you to report vacancy.
A calm first week sets the tone for the whole season. With the house already opened, checked and stocked, you can spend it on the beach instead of on the phone with vendors.
What's the easiest way to open my home for the season?
Let someone who already knows your home do it. True North's pre-arrival preparation is tailored to your request. A typical opening can include turning the water back on, setting the A/C, running faucets, checking the home and stocking groceries. If we find anything, you'll hear about it right away, with photos, so it can be fixed before your first night.
Leaving again in the spring? Our closing-up checklist covers the other end of the season.
Arrive to a home that's ready
Book pre-arrival preparation and grocery stocking for your Naples, Marco Island or Bonita Springs home.
Get a Free Quote Call (239) 301-8657What do owners ask about opening a Florida home?
Should I pause home watch while I'm in residence?
Many owners pause or reduce visits while they're living in the home and restart before they leave. You can keep concierge services active for vendor visits, deliveries and grocery stocking. Tell True North your dates and we'll adjust your plan.
What should I do first when I return to my Florida home?
Walk the home before you unpack. Look and smell for leaks, mold or pests, check the A/C is cooling, and look at ceilings, walls and floors for stains. If you turned off the water and water heater, follow your manual to bring them back on safely, then flush your faucets and showers.
Why should I flush the faucets after being away?
The CDC recommends flushing fixtures that haven't been used for a week or more. Water that sits in pipes and a water heater for months can support bacteria like Legionella, which grows best between 77°F and 113°F. Run hot and cold water through each fixture for a few minutes.
Can someone open my Florida home before I arrive?
Yes. True North Home Watch offers pre-arrival preparation starting at $75, tailored to what you ask for. We can turn the water back on, set the A/C to your arrival temperature, run the faucets and walk the home so it's ready when you land.
Can you stock my fridge before I get there?
Yes. Send True North your shopping list and we'll stock your fridge and pantry before you arrive. Grocery and household stocking is a $75 flat fee plus the cost of your purchases, with 48 hours' notice.
How far ahead should I book pre-arrival services?
Book as soon as you know your travel dates. True North asks for 48 hours' courtesy notice for concierge services. Earlier is better during peak arrival weeks in the fall and around the holidays.
What if something is wrong when the home is opened up?
If we find a problem during pre-arrival prep, we tell you right away with photos. With your approval, we can coordinate a plumber, A/C technician or other vendor and meet them at the home, so it's handled before you arrive.