March. 2021. Closing Up Your Apartment Before an Extended Vacancy by PBSA.COM
Almost every winter some unfortunate PBSA owner returns to find an apartment damaged by mold and / or water leaks. Pest infestations are also a risk. Each owner must take personal responsibility for leaving their apartment in a condition that will prevent mishaps while they are away. To protect your own property and your neighbors:
You MUST:
1.Shut off water supply valves (kitchen and bathroom). (prevent water leaks)
2. Close and lock all doors and windows. (prevent wind driven rain penetration)
3. Bring in all furniture from your balcony / patio. (hurricane projectile risk)
4. Bring in beach chairs and umbrellas (unsightly and hurricane projectile risk)
5. Notify the Office. (safety)
You are strongly encouraged to:
1. If you don’t have central A/C; run an appropriately sized dehumidifier connected to a drain. Wall Unit A/C is NOT sufficient. (control mold causing humidity)
2. If you do have central A/C; program it to run at least several hours a day. (control mold causing humidity)
3. Drains: Fill with water, then close up. (prevent sewer gas and insect infestation)
4. Toilets: Flush and seal bowl with saran wrap. (prevent pest infestation)
5. Turn off circuit breaker for hot water heater. (save energy)
6. Unplug all electronic devices. (save energy, protect from power surges)
7. Refrigerator: Unplug, clean out, prop doors open. (prevent mold if there is a power outage)
8. Clean counters and kitchen floor; secure all left behind food in sealed containers. (prevent pest infestation)
9. Close all blinds. (reduce solar heat gain)
10. Clean window and door screens, store inside. (they will last longer.)
Additional Thoughts
Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. The electric bill for running your refrigerator all summer will cost way more than the $15 worth of leftover condiments that you have stored inside. If there is a power failure, your refrigerator will be ruined by mold. Leaving windows ajar for fresh air as “natural” mold control could result in expensive torrential rain damage to your walls, floors, and possibly your neighbor’s apartment below. Running a dehumidifier or central A/C will cost several hundred dollars a year, but that is nothing compared to the cost of mold remediation. If you have central A/C and a programmable thermostat, FPL recommends setting it at 72F for two hours before dawn, then 82F the rest of the time. This will keep your energy bill down but provide good dehumidification. If you are running A/C or a dehumidifier, monitor your electric use to confirm it is running. If your apartment has year round internet service, install a “Smart” thermostat to monitor your apartment temperature remotely.
A simple trick to see if you had a power failure
Fill a small dish with water.
Freeze the dish.
Place a coin on top of the ice.
Upon return, if the coin is under the ice you had a power failure that came back on.
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Print this Check List
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SEASONAL CLOSING GUIDELINE CHECKLIST
. Turn off the hot water heater.
. Set up dehumidifier or air conditioner. Dehumidifier is the preferred way to go.
. Close storm shutters if applicable.
. Turn off main water valves in kitchen and bath.
. Shut off circuit breakers in electrical panel for
. Washer/dryer
. Electric stove
. Empty refrigerator of perishable items, empty trash cans.
. Turn refrigerator/freezer to #1, “vacation” setting, or leave ajar.
. Bring patio/deck furniture inside the apartment. Balcony should be empty.
. Unplug small appliances (toaster, coffee maker, television, microwave, chargers etc.).
. Close & lock all windows.
. Take new screens out of the windows and store in your Unit
. Close all drapes.
. Add one cup of bleach to the toilet and tank, then cover bowl with plastic wrap to prevent evaporation. Close the lid and place a heavy object on top to prevent possible rodent entry into the apartment.
. Bring all beach chairs in from pool wall and place in your storage unit or apartment.
. Remove all bicycles from the electric meter room and place in your storage unit or apartment. The Co-op is not responsible for damage or theft of any bikes in any area.
. Lock the door. Please make sure a current copy of your keys is in the office if you have replaced your door or lock.
Palm Beach Shores Apartments April 1, 2019
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Closing Up Your Apartment Before an Extended Vacancy by GRS 03/24/2023
Almost every winter some unfortunate PBSA owner returns to find an apartment
damaged by mold and / or water leaks. Pest infestations are also a risk. Each owner must
take personal responsibility for leaving their apartment in a condition that will prevent
mishaps while they are away. To protect your own property and your neighbors:
You MUST:
1. Shut off main water supply valves (kitchen and bathroom). (Prevent water leaks)
2. Close and lock all doors and windows. (Prevent wind driven rain penetration)
3. Bring in all furniture from your balcony / patio. (Hurricane projectile risk)
4. Bring in beach chairs and umbrellas including those up against the wall leading to
the beach. (Unsightly and hurricane projectile risk)
5. Notify the Office. (safety)
You are strongly encouraged to:
1. If you don’t have central A/C; run an appropriately sized humidifier connected to
a drain. Wall Unit A/C is NOT sufficient. (Control mold causing humidity)
2. If you do have central A/C; program it to run at least several hours a day. (Control
mold causing humidity)
3. Drains: Fill with water, then close up. (Prevent sewer gas and insect infestation)
4. Toilets: Flush and seal bowl with saran wrap. (Prevent pest infestation)
5. Turn off circuit breaker for hot water heater. (Save energy)
6. Unplug all electronic devices. (Save energy, protect from power surges)
7. Refrigerator: Unplug, clean out, prop doors open. (Prevent mold if there is a
power outage)
8. Clean counters and kitchen floor; secure all left behind food in sealed containers.
(Prevent pest infestation)
9. Close all blinds. (Reduce solar heat gain)
10. Clean window and door screens, store inside. (They will last longer.)
11. Change fire Alarm Battery
Additional Thoughts
Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. The electric bill for running your refrigerator all summer
will cost way more than the $15 worth of leftover condiments that you have stored inside. If
there is a power failure, your refrigerator will be ruined by mold. Leaving windows ajar for fresh
air as “natural” mold control could result in expensive torrential rain damage to your walls,
floors, and possibly your neighbor’s apartment below. Running a dehumidifier or central A/C
will cost several hundred dollars a year, but that is nothing compared to the cost of mold
remediation.
If you have central A/C and a programmable thermostat, FPL recommends setting it at 72F for
two hours before dawn, then 82F the rest of the time. This will keep your energy bill down but
provide good dehumidification. If you are running A/C or a dehumidifier, monitor your electric
use to confirm it is running. If your apartment has year-round internet service, install a “Smart”
thermostat to monitor your apartment temperature remotely.
It is recommended you purchase your own home owners insurance policy which covers mold
damage and repairs and replacement necessitated by water leaks (note that leaks from hurricanes
require an additional rider). PBSA insurance covers common areas of the building, not individual
apartments.