Are you about to embark on an extended vacation? If traveling takes you away from home for weeks or months at a time, it’s essential to make sure your house is adequately prepared for your long absence. Here are some handy tips for making sure your home stays safe from plumbing issues, appliance malfunctions and more while you are out of town.
Set Your Thermostat
Will your extended travel be taking place during the winter months? If so, ensure that your thermostat is set to 55 degrees. This will keep your house warm enough to prevent freezing and bursting water pipes, which can cause severe flooding and water damage. If your trip takes place during warmer weather, you should leave the AC unit on in order to prevent mold, mildew, and other conditions caused by heat and humidity. Set your thermostat to 85 degrees or less to control usage of the air conditioning. If possible, invest in a smart thermostat, which can be remotely controlled via a handy smartphone app no matter where you are. This is an easy, convenient way to make sure your home is always protected from weather-related plumbing and HVAC issues while you’re away.
Turn Water Off
When you are going to be away from home for a long period of time, it’s a good idea to turn off your main water line before you leave. This can prevent plumbing leaks from occurring in your absence, which can result in significant water damage and costly repairs. After shutting off the main water valve, let your kitchen and bathroom faucets run dry, ensuring that no water is left in the pipes.
However, if your sprinkler system needs to run while you are away, or if your heating system operates with steam radiators or hot water, you shouldn’t shut your water off at the main valve. Anyone who doesn’t have these unique considerations should turn it off to avoid having to deal with unforeseen plumbing problems upon your return. By shutting off the water before you leave, you are potentially saving yourself a major headache when you get back!
Wrap Toilet Bowls With Plastic Wrap
It sounds like an April Fool’s Day prank, but it’s actually important! Wrap your toilet bowls with plastic cling wrap to prevent stinky sewer fumes from entering your home. Leaving your toilets unwrapped can result in a less-than-pleasant “welcome home” when you walk in the door. Just be sure to mark the cling wrap with a big black “X” or other warning symbol to prevent anyone from accidentally using the toilet with the wrap in place!
Empty the Fridge
Apart from the main reason of not wanting the food in your refrigerator to turn into a moldy, stinky science experiment while you’re away, ridding the fridge of all perishables allows you to completely defrost and unplug it while you’re on your long trip. This will conserve energy, since the fridge won’t need to keep running when it’s not in use.
Travel is one of the most exciting ways to meet new friends, share new experiences, and learn about different cultures and traditions. By following these tips, you can properly take care of your home during a long absence, which will give you the freedom to concentrate on having fun! Get set to expand your horizons and enjoy fantastic adventures without having to worry about what will be waiting for you when you get back.
