There’s not a whole lot of summer left, hopefully you can get away on vacation yet. If you do go away, you’ll want to be sure to follow these tips for taking care of your home before you leave on vacation. As home builders in Omaha, we know how important it is to prevent disaster from happening. These tips for taking care of your home before you leave on vacation will provide you a stress-free vacation.
Of course not all disasters can be prevented, but by following these tips you can prevent some of the worst home accidents from happening.
Taking Care of Your Home Before You Leave for Vacation
Turn off Water – Water damage is the number one cause of damage to a home when the homeowner is away. You can prevent it 100% by turning the water off when you leave for weekends or longer trips. Not only will your home remain water free, but you’ll have peace of mind while you’re gone.
Repair Leaks – If you’re not going to turn off your water main while away, at least be sure to check and repair any leaky faucets. A small drip in the bathroom sink won’t do much damage – it may stain the porcelain depending on your water source – but it can increase your water bill if left untreated. Fix leaky faucets before leaving for vacation.
Stop Newspaper – If you still get the newspaper, remember to have them suspend service while you are away. Alternatively you can ask a neighbor to pick up your newspapers and mail so your home doesn’t look empty and becomes an invitation to would-be burglars.
Stop Mail – Nothing screams an empty home like a mailbox stuffed with mail or packages left at the door. Suspend mail service if you go on vacation. For weekend jaunts it’s fine to ask the neighbors to grab your mail and newspapers, but for longer forays you’ll want to be confident there aren’t packages, magazines and bills strewn all over the front porch.
Clean Garbage Disposal – a 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar down the drain with the disposal running and you can come back to a fresher home. It will eliminate odors that would otherwise build in a closed up home.
Leave a Light On – Leave a light on to make the house look as though someone is home. Today you can find affordable high tech gadgets and apps that can be controlled by your phone while away, but leaving a light on can produce a similar result.
Clean out the Fridge – Before you leave on vacation toss any food in the fridge that will spoil while you are away. Nothing is worse than coming home to refrigerator full of rotten food. Check dates on dairy products too and toss before you leave. Leave an opened box of baking soda for added freshness.
Take a Picture – If you tend to worry about whether or not you turned off the stove, coffee pot, iron or the water you can rest easy. Take a picture of the appliance or valve in the off position so you can reference it easily while away. You’ll have peace of mind and can enjoy your vacation.
