You’ve been looking forward to your vacation for some time. You’ve earned a break after all the work you’ve put in this year and want to take yourself and your loved ones to a beautiful, fun destination. However, make sure to do these things before closing your door and get into that car, train, or airplane that’ll take you there.
Ask a Friend or Family Member to Check on Your Home
Ask someone to check on your home while you’re gone periodically. They can bring in your mail, feed your pets, and water your plants. If you’re leaving your car, consider giving them a key in case it must be moved.
Set Your Thermostat to an Appropriate Setting
If you’re leaving during the summer, do not turn off your thermostat. Your home will absorb and trap heat. This could damage your appliances and even threaten the structure of your home. Instead, set your thermostat about 5 degrees above your preferred setpoint. Besides, you don’t want to return from vacation to a stifling home.
Conversely, if you’re leaving during the winter, set your thermostat to around 55 degrees.
Set Your Lights on a Timer
Although leaving your lights on while you’re away will help it appear like someone’s home, having them on 24-7 will likely not be as effective of a deterrent as you’d likely hoped. However, a light switch timer will make it appear more likely that someone is actively living there, turning lights on and off.
Unplug Appliances
Major appliances draw energy whenever they’re plugged in, even while they’re off. Consider unplugging televisions, computers, washing and drying machines, dishwashers, and microwaves. Doing so will also protect those devices against power surges.
Drain Your Water Heater
You should drain your water heater at least once a year to remove accumulated sediment. A perfect time to do this is when you’re heading on vacation. Go ahead and turn off this appliance, too, before you leave.
Shut Off Your Water
It’s best to turn your water off completely to eliminate nearly all risk of any leaks occurring while you’re away. Find your main water valve to cut off the water supply to your home.
Check For Leaks
Before you walk out the door, do a walkthrough of your home and check if any of your pipes are leaking. Take care of those leaks before you focus on your vacation.
Are Your Storm Drains Clean?
Are your storm drains prepared to handle a storm that passes through the area while you’re gone? Flash flooding does occur from time to time in Las Vegas with most taking place in July, August, and September.
Upgrade Your Tech
High-tech devices can help you take care of your home from a distance. A home monitoring system allows you to respond to somebody ringing your doorbell from wherever you. Also, a smart lock can give a neighbor, family member, or friend access to your home.
Leak detection devices are a smart investment, too. This will monitor your plumbing system and alert you to sudden losses in pressure, almost certainly indicating a leak. You’ll receive alerts on your phone so that you can call a plumber right away.
Clean Your Garbage Disposal
To eradicate foul smells emanating from your garbage disposal, use vinegar and sliced lemon peels. Do this now so that those smells don’t become worse while you’re gone.
Bottom line: You want a stress-free vacation, so make a checklist and mark off each of these tasks as you go. And for all of your plumbing needs, turn to the pros at Pure Plumbing. To schedule your appointment, call (702) 710-7388.
