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Things to do Before You Leave for Vacation
7/10/2018 (Permalink)
Rest easy soaking up the sun on a beach and know your house is a little safer while you're away.
Let’s be honest, a lot of terrible things can happen to your home, and you have 100% no control over it. A pipe bursts. A heavy rain comes. Whatever it may be, you are not in control.
There is also a small list of things you DO have control over, and you should take advantage of it before leaving for vacation this year. Follow these steps and rest easy while soaking up the sun on a beach.
1. Turn off the main water supply.
Now, why would you want to do that? Well, if we’re thinking of the worst-case scenario, you’ll probably have a leaking supply line the minute you step out the door for your week-long vacation. Greaaaat. Just what you wanted. But wait. If you shut off the water supply, the amount of water leaking is significantly lower. Best of all, it only takes a few minutes to do.
2. Check the sump pump.
Another scary thought is sump pump failure. That’s why you should check it before departing. Try dumping a bucket of water in and wait. Your sump pump should turn on and everything should be hunky dory. But if it doesn’t turn on, that’s a red flag.
3. Unplug Electronics.
Just do yourself a favor and unplug everything that isn’t plugged into a surge protector—as long as it’s switched off. Even then, unplug the surge protector if you want to be extra careful with unexpected power surges. You’ll also save money by doing this, so that’s neat.
4. Don’t turn your air off completely.
As tempting as it may be to save some money by turning off your air while away, try to resist. The reason you want to keep your air on is that your home needs air circulation; otherwise, heat can build up and effect wood floors and other surfaces alike. Setting your thermostat to 85 degrees will keep your electronics cool and will save you money too. You’re basically preventing your house from becoming a giant oven.
5. Check your gutters.
Downspouts should release water at least 10 ft. away from your house. If this is not the case for you, maybe an extension is in order.
6. Have a trusted friend check on your house, even if you don’t have any pets.
Nothing beats having a human being keep an eye on your home while away. Feel free to give specific instructions like, “Go check our basement to make sure there is no water in the furnace room.” They’ll care as much as you care, so be clear as to what you’re concerned about.
Keeping your home safe is our top priority, so please, take precautions before leaving for vacay and have a wonderful time.