New Home Maintenance Tips to Keep in Mind Before Going on Vacation

New Home Maintenance Tips to Keep in Mind Before Going on Vacation

Between the excitement of going on vacation, packing, buying tickets, and booking accommodation, some things might slip from your mind. One of them includes doing maintenance checks, ensuring your home is safe and in good condition by the time you get back. Below, we have compiled new home maintenance tips you can look into, which will save you money and protect your home from potential break-ins.

Tidy up The House

This does not sound like something exciting that you want to do before leaving for vacation, but it is an important step. You do not want to come back from vacation to a house with a weird smell because of rotten food, dirty dishes on the sink, or dirty laundry. This is one of the new home maintenance tips that you should not ignore. For instance, three days before leaving, instead of cooking afresh, eat the leftovers you have been putting in the fridge. If not, you need to dispose of them because they will probably have gone bad after two weeks on vacation or more. Any snacks or produce on the counter should be eaten as well. Apples, bananas, or any other food will just attract fruit flies or rodents. Therefore, ensure the counter is clear of anything edible. Clean the garbage disposal as well. An easy DIY method at home is mixing equal parts of water and vinegar and running it through the garbage disposal. You can also get specific cleaners designed for cleaning it. On the last day before leaving, empty your dishwasher and put all the dishes on the shelves where they ought to be. You can then leave the dishwasher slightly opened, just a crack, for any remaining water to evaporate.

Enhance Your Security

Among new home maintenance tips to consider is ensuring your home is safe. When you are away for an extended period of time, there is always the risk of burglars breaking into your home. Fortunately, with a few tricks, you are likely to find your home the same way you left it. The first step is thinking like a burglar. The first thing a burglar will do is look for openings in your home, such as the window, the door, or even the roof. Therefore, before leaving, ensure that the door and windows are locked. If the locks are not in good condition, have a locksmith replace them or fix them before leaving. Having them install a deadbolt is even better as it makes it hard for anyone to break in. If you are using glass doors for your patios, decks, or balconies, check that they do not have any weaknesses a burglar can take advantage of. Contact glass doors contractors for repairs if you notice weaknesses like a deteriorated seal or a ripped screen.

The next thing to check is the roof. It might sound surprising, but a determined burglar might climb over the top to check on any weakness they can use to get in. You can either inspect the roof yourself or have a roofer do it if you do not know what to look for. Thieves can take advantage of things like loose or missing shingles to access your home. For any damages, you will need residential roof repairs services before leaving. Another way of taking care of your home is by installing a home security system. This can be through alarm installation, installing CCTV cams, and having light sensors in your home. The security of your home is paramount when you are away, and you do not want any surprises when you get back.

Handle Your Mail Service

You can either choose to put your mailing service on hold from the postal office or have your friend or neighbor collect the mail and hold it for you till you get back. The postal service lets people suspend their mail for a specific period of time, then deliver it on the day you specify. Since you will not be there to read them anyway, there is no point in having them delivered to your home. It is also a safety measure, since burglars can take advantage of an empty home and end up stealing.

Check on Your Plumbing

Imagine coming back to a flooded home simply because you did not ensure your plumbing system was in good condition. If there is a leak, you will have to deal with water damage to appliances, furniture, and the house itself. Before leaving, one of the new home maintenance tips you need to prioritize includes inspecting all the pipes and ensuring they are in good condition. If you notice any issue like a leaking pipe or broken tap, you will need plumbing repair services. One of the simplest things you can do to prevent problems is turning off your water at the main. This will reduce the risk of water damage due to broken fixtures or pipes. Also, ensure facets and fixtures are tightly closed and that they are not leaking. If your toilet is leaking, have it repaired before you leave. A defective valve can lead to water wastage. Request toilet repair services to avoid a huge water bill when you come from vacation. If you have a pool, it is not a good idea to turn off the pump, especially if you will be away for a long time. Turning it off can lead to algae building up. Rather, keep it running but at an optimal setting and have a friend drop by once in a while to check that it is operating smoothly.

Program The Thermostat

Your cooling and heating systems account for about half of your electricity bill. Therefore, why spend money on it if you are away on vacation? It is even worse when it is defective, as it will overwork to maintain an optimum temperature in the house, leading to even higher bills. Before you go, check the air filters. Sometimes, even a bit of dusting the filter will ensure the unit is working effectively. If they are old, then consider replacing them. Also, remove any debris and overgrown bush near the outside unit to allow for proper airflow. There are AC repairs like recharging the refrigerant that is best left to professionals. If you have major repairs, call an HVAC technician to fix them rather than attempting DIY.

You do not have to completely switch off your heating and cooling systems to save on cash. Instead, program your thermostat to maintain a stable temperature. Whether you are going away during winter or summer, a steady temperature will prevent frozen pipes, condensation, or other damaging effects caused by severe weather. That is why you need to take care of heating repairs before leaving the house.

Check on The Gas Lines

If you are going away for an extended period, one of the new home maintenance tips to look into includes checking that the gas lines are in good condition. When you are away on vacation, there is the potential of gas leaking for several reasons, including the improper fitting of the pipes. If gas leaks while you are away, unless someone checks the house, the leak will go undetected until you get back. This is a big risk you can avoid by having a specialized plumber inspect the gas lines if you plan to leave the gas supply on. On the other hand, there are people who prefer switching it off in the main, especially if they are going away for a long time. This is advisable as your pipes can leak or disconnect anytime. Luckily, you do not need a plumber to help you turn off the gas valve. A set of pliers will get the job done.

Check on Your Water Heater

This is also among the new home maintenance tips you should look into. If your water heater is not in good condition, check it or call for water heater repair services. You do not have to turn it off to save on electricity bills. Simply set it in vacation mode or the lowest heat level. This will prevent it from using a lot of energy when you are away. The problem with turning off the water heater, especially when your vacation is short, is that you will not have any hot water immediately. It will take about an hour for the water to heat up, yet you just want to wash off the fatigue of traveling. However, if your vacation is long, then turning the water heater off will end up saving you some dollars on electricity bills.

Prepare Your Landscaping

Depending on how long the vacation will be, it is good to prep your landscape when considering new home maintenance tips before going on holiday. You can spray to prevent the growth of weeds, ensuring you will not find your lawn or garden full of dandelions and thistles. If you are away for a long time, consider hiring someone to manage the lawn till you get back. Also, hiring a person to look after your plants and lawn will reduce the risk of someone breaking into the house. If you have indoor plants, do not neglect them as well. Have someone to water them or get self-watering spikes for the time you will be away. For people who live in storm areas, ensure that your outdoor potted plants are secured to prevent them from blowing over. Most people prefer taking them inside the house or shed till they get back.

Unplug Your Electronics and Devices

Before you head for your vacation, purchase smart outlets, which allow you to switch off power in specific areas. This is one of the new home maintenance tips that can help save you money by the time you get back. There are things like light which you need to keep on to deter thieves. So you cannot switch off your main power source. A smart plug allows you to switch off things like the microwave, TV, computer, and any other appliances that you want to unplug.

Winterize Your Home

If you stay in extremely cold areas and you are going away for a month or longer, one of the new home maintenance tips to keep in mind should be to winterize your home. Home insulation should go beyond your walls. If you have any exposed pipes, insulate them to prevent them from freezing. Also, clean up your gutters to prevent ice buildup.

Repair The Siding

Your siding is an essential component of your home. Even though repairing or replacing it should be done whether you are going on vacation or not, it is especially important if you plan to be away. If it is quick fixes like peeling paint, you can DIY by repainting. However, when the problem is serious, such as rotting inside, the whole siding will have to be replaced. A damaged water siding poses a risk to your home, including water damage, if moisture manages to sip through. This can lead to other issues like the growth of mold, which is a health hazard. Therefore, before going on your vacation, call for siding repair services for your home.

Remove any Hazards

Whether you have a house sitter or not, it is good to remove any hazards around your homes, such as dead overhanging branches or dead trees that can easily be blown away by a storm and cause damage. Also, anything combustible or flammable should be stored with care. For instance, during summer, do not leave cans full of gas in the shed or garage if you are going for an extended vacation. For people living in areas prone to storms, it is worth investing in storm shutters. It will help prevent any flying debris from shattering your windows in case of a bad storm.

With all these new home maintenance tips, you will be able to enjoy your holiday with peace of mind, knowing that everything back home is in excellent condition. After all, a vacation is meant to be a relaxing and worry-free space without thinking of your responsibilities back at home.

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