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5 Home Preparation Tips Before Vacation

 

Summer vacationThere’s nothing worse than coming home from a relaxing vacation to discover that there’s been an emergency at home, which is why it’s crucial to take appropriate steps to plan for your absence and make sure that your home is safe.

Below are five easy ways to prepare to leave your home unattended while you’re away and ensure that you can experience peace of mind during your vacation:

Save Money by Setting Your Water Heater to “Vacation Mode”

Nobody wants to pay for things that they aren’t using, so before you go away be sure to set your water heater to “vacation mode.” This convenient setting will lower the temperature of the standing water in your tank, helping keep energy costs low while you’re away.

If your water heater doesn’t have this setting, only turn down the thermostat before leaving and enjoy the lowered energy costs.

Turn Your Water Valve Off Before Leaving

If you’ve ever experienced a leak or a burst pipe emergency, then you already know how much damage water can do in a short amount of time. If you imagine how much damage one of these plumbing emergencies can cause if they happen while you’re out of town, then you’ll realize why it’s important to turn your water valves off.

Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Use a combination of white vinegar and water to flush out unwanted debris from inside your garbage disposal unit. By flushing it for about a minute, you can clean out any old debris and waste such as peels, eggshells, and other pieces of food from your piping system.

This important step not only eliminates unpleasant smells which may result from the rotting food, but also ensures that your garbage disposal won’t attract ants, flies, and bugs.

Unplug Your AppliancesWater Heater

Why leave your appliances on when you won’t be around to use them? It’s wise to turn off your electronics and appliances so that they don’t pull energy even while in “sleep” mode, but unplugging while you're away have another added benefit: it protects your possessions from unexpected electrical surges.

Have a Neighbor Pick Up Your Mail

One of the telltale signs that a homeowner has gone out of town is a pile of mail at the front door or an over-stuffed mailbox. This signals to potential thieves and burglars that your home is a prime target, so before you leave ask a friend or a neighbor to stop in once a day to pick up your mail, so it isn’t left out in plain sight.

For more tips on how to keep your home safe while you’re away, and for more information on home maintenance in general, contact the experts at Roman Plumbing, in Trinity & Murrieta, FL today. Professional service is just a phone call away at 727-858-3412.