how do i prepare my house for winter vacation

Home Alone: How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Vacancy

• Turn off the water supply The most important thing you need to do, especially if you’re leaving for the entire winter, is shut off your water supply. ...
• Drain the waterlines ...
• Insulate pipes ...
• Turn down the heat ...
• Unplug all appliances ...
• Throw out the trash ...

Full Answer

What should I do to prepare my house for the winter?

14 Steps Every Homeowner Should Take to Winterize Their Home

• Swap Out the Gas in Small Engines. ...
• Cut the Power to Your AC. ...
• Disconnect Garden Hoses. ...
• Winterize Your Pressure Washer. ...
• Protect the A/C Compressor. ...
• Lube Your Car in 4 Critical Places. ...
• Drain Garden Hoses. ...
• Switch to Winter Wiper Blades. ...
• Clean Attic Venting. ...
• Check Your Chimney or Risk a Fire. ...

More items...

What to do now to prepare your home for winter?

What to do now to prepare your home for winter

• Preparing for cold weather well before it arrives can pay off later. ...
• Clean and protect your roof. Check your roof for loose shingles and repair any that need fixing. ...
• Seal gaps. ...
• Clean your deck. ...
• Inspect your chimney. ...

What is the best way to winterize a house?

Small budget/effort ways to winterize a mobile home:

• Relax tie downs. As the ground freezes in winter, it does contract somewhat. ...
• Chimneys and Fireplaces. If you are lucky enough to have a chimney or fireplace in your home, you can purchase and install a rubber-sealed damper or a glass door/cover that ...
• Ceiling Fans. ...
• Clean the home gutters. ...
• Clear water from hose and sprinkler. ...

Is your home properly prepared for winter storms?

When you’re ready for it, a winter blizzard may slow you down, but it won’t catch you off guard. Prepare your home in the fall or if the weather report calls for snow, sleet, ice or high winter winds with the following: Clear your roof of standing snow and ice and ensure your rain gutters and downspouts are flowing properly.

How do I get my house ready to leave for winter vacation?

Home Alone: How to Prepare Your Home for Winter VacancyTurn off the water supply. The most important thing you need to do, especially if you're leaving for the entire winter, is shut off your water supply. ... Drain the waterlines. ... Insulate pipes. ... Turn down the heat. ... Unplug all appliances. ... Throw out the trash.

What should I do if I leave my house for 3 weeks?

Securing Your Home When You Are AwayLock All External Doors, Windows, and the Garage. ... Don't Hide House Keys. ... Ask Neighbors and the Police To Watch. ... Set Programmable Light Timers. ... Activate Motion Activated Outdoor Floodlights. ... Window Blinds, Visible Valuables, and Safe Deposit Boxes. ... Stop the Mail and Newspaper Deliveries.More items...•

What temp should you leave your house on vacation in winter?

During the Cold Season If you're leaving for a winter vacation, aim to keep your home's thermostat around 65 degrees. It also helps to open cabinets to allow air to circulate and to avoid cold spots.

What do snowbirds do with their houses?

Some snowbirds rent out their vacation homes when they return north. Between the months of April and October, snowbirds live in their summer residence and some put their winter home on the market for rent. This is prime time for warm weather renters to jump on some great properties.

What do you put your toilet on when on vacation?

Put baking soda in your toilets. Stagnant water can give off a strange smell, but if you put baking soda in your toilet bowl, you won't come home to a musty bathroom.

Can you leave a house empty for 3 months?

Generally, there are no set-rules in place that state how long you can leave your unoccupied property vacant for. However, it is important to note that most standard home insurance providers will only cover an empty property for 30 to 60 days.

Should you leave the heat on in an empty house during the winter?

You should heat your empty house. Winter temperatures can lead to problems like frozen pipes, flooding, and other water damage. You don't have to heat it to a comfortable temperature, though. Proper insulation and the right thermostat setting will help you keep bills down when you're not around.

Should I leave my heater on while on vacation?

Although it is important to keep your home semi-warm while you are away, you probably don't want your furnace heating an empty house and increasing utility bills! We recommend turning your thermostat down to 60 degrees. At this temperature, your furnace will turn on when needed but will not over-work itself.

Can you leave a house unheated in the winter?

While you will want to save money on utilities, you can not leave a house unheated in the winter. Keep your utilities on, and follow these tips before going out of town: Set your thermostat no lower than 55°F before you leave to avoid having your pipe freeze.

What do you do when you leave your house for 3 months?

How to Close a House for Three MonthsShut off any propane or natural gas or propane valves. ... Unplug all electrical and electronic appliances. ... Store all outside patio furniture and tools inside the house.Prune trees with overhanging branches that could fall on your house in a high windstorm.Drain the plumbing system.More items...

How do you prepare a snowbird house?

Checklist for snowbirds heading southForward your mail. ... Do not turn off the heat! ... Shut off the water. ... Prep your appliances. ... Perform exterior maintenance. ... Perform indoor maintenance. ... Consider setting up light timers throughout the home. ... Inform neighbors that you're leaving.More items...

Should snowbirds turn off water heater?

Shut off the water to washing machines and dishwashers where possible, to avoid any leaks or broken hoses while you are away. Turn off the heat source and water supply to hot water heaters (if separate from your boiler). Consider shutting off and draining outdoor faucets to prevent water damage due to freezing.

What to do if you are leaving your house for a month?

10 steps you need to prepare your home for an extended vacationSecure your home so it appears occupied. ... Clean out your fridge. ... Prepare your home for the elements. ... Take care of your mail and deliveries. ... Clean your home. ... Protect your vehicle. ... Turn off the water in your house. ... Unplug most appliances.More items...•

How long can you leave your house vacant?

30 daysTypically, home owners can leave their home unoccupied for up to 30 days (say, for an extended trip) with no need for added insurance. If you're going to be away for longer, inform your insurance company.

What should I do if I leave my house for 2 weeks?

Pre-Vacation Home Checklist: 9 Things to Prep Before You LeaveTidy up a little. ... Clean out the refrigerator. ... Take out the trash. ... Double-check the laundry. ... Take precautions for fire. ... Program your thermostat. ... Put lights on timers. ... Ask a friend to gather your mail.More items...•

What do you do when you leave home for a month?

A Checklist to Complete If You're Leaving Your Home for an Extended Period of TimeAlert the post office to hold your mail until you return. ... Stage your home as if you are still there. ... Set an alarm. ... Place small valuables in a hidden place or safe. ... Hire someone or notify your neighbor to do the simple things.

How to tell if your home is vacant?

Ask the post office to hold your mail while you’re on vacation. That way, it won’t stack up while you’re away — another telltale sign of a vacant home.

How to avoid freezing pipes in winter?

In the winter months, keep your thermostat set to at least 50 degrees to avoid freezing pipes. 12. Purge Perishable Foods. After saying goodbye to the beach or those freshly-powdered slopes, the last thing you want to come home to is a smelly kitchen.

How to avoid posting about your vacation?

Avoid Posting About Your Trip on Social Media. Tipping off friends, acquaintances and strangers (depending on your privacy settings) about your vacation is comparable to trusting an intruder with "checking on" your house. Save your social media posting until after you've safely returned.

What to do if unexpected happens while away?

If the unexpected happens while you are away, your local Farm Bureau agent can help you get back on your feet.

How to make your house look like someone is home?

6. Turn Out the Lights. Leaving a light on to make it look like someone is home is good, but having the same lights on in your house 24 hours a day for seven days straight can be costly, ineffective and an obvious sign that you’re away on vacation. 7. Have a Lamp (or Two) on a Timer.

When is vacation 2021?

May 10, 2021. Preparing for vacation is a lot of work. Whether you’re heading on a road trip and need to get the car serviced or you’re heading out of the country and need to dust off your passport, taking a vacation requires careful planning and preparation. When you’re busy getting ready for vacation, it can be easy to overlook basic steps ...

Can a house sitter pull out a hidden key?

Make sure your house sitter has a spare key and isn’t pulling out a hidden key each time they come over. Unfortunately, the hide-a-key rock just doesn’t cut it anymore. The areas around your front door will be the first place intruders look to find your spare key, so it’s best to save yourself the trouble and give that spare key directly to your friend.

What to do if a storm blows in?

What if a storm blows in? Make sure anything loose or freestanding outside has been secured or put in the garage, just in case high winds come along.

How long can you leave your home behind?

But homeowners can stress over leaving the home behind for a few weeks or a few months. It’s a little simpler for those from the Sunbelt, but if you’re from cold zones and want a winter getaway, you’ll need to take a few more steps to prepare your house for a vacation in winter.

How long do you need a house sitter?

For two or more months , you may need a house sitter. These days, it’s easy to sign up for a house-sitting website, which is often free. Sites like Trusted Housesitters will run criminal background checks and credit checks, giving you greater peace of mind that someone reliable is on the watch 24/7 in your absence.

Is it necessary to clean your home in winter?

This provides the peace of mind of knowing you are ready to face the winter when you return. Consider thoroughly cleaning your home. Although it's not necessary, returning to a clean home is always a treat. Writer Bio.

What to do before going on vacation?

Before you leave for vacation, go around your house and unplug any electrical devices that don’t need to stay on. This includes portable fans, your entertainment unit, coffee makers, chargers, computers, etc. Even though the device could be powered off, it still uses power in the background. This will save you money on your electric bill ...

How to save energy when leaving home?

Checklist of Tasks When Leaving Your Home in the Winter. Adjust heat, turn off the main water line, and water conditioners. One way to save energy while you are away is to turn your heat down, not off. Setting your thermostat to 60°F will prevent your pipes from freezing while you are gone. Make sure to turn off your water line ...

How to deter someone from thinking your house is empty?

This will help deter someone from thinking the home is empty. If you have a security system, make sure that everything is activated and ready to go. Depending on how long your vacation is, you may want to have someone come and check on your house. If you do, make sure they know how to use the alarm system.

What to do if someone breaks into my home and the alarm goes off?

That way, if someone were to break into your home and the system goes off, they can be the point of contact to report to your home after the police arrive.

What to do if you leave the country?

If you are leaving the country, you will want to ask them what your roaming fees are and what settings you need to change on your phone so there are no unexpected or additional charges to your phone bill. Before you leave, don’t forget to empty all of the trash cans and clean out the fridge.

How to save money on electric bill while away?

One quick and easy task to do before you go away is either stopping your mail or arranging for someone to pick up your mail. You can easily stop your mail by filling out an online form from the United States Postal Service’s site.

Do credit cards work while on vacation?

Majority of banks have an automated system to make this a very easy task for you to complete and gives you the peace of mind that your card will still work while you’re on vacation. Depending on where you’re traveling, you may also want to contact your cell phone provider.

1. Adjust the temperature

While you’re out of town, the last thing you want to do is pay to heat a house that no one is in. Before you leave for vacation, turn your forced-air and radiant heating systems down to between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Get timers for lights

To protect your house from burglary, you want to make sure it looks “lived in” even when it’s not. If your home is dark, day and night, it’s a pretty clear sign to a burglar that no one is home. One of the best ways to make it appear as if someone is home is to put some of your interior lights on automatic timers.

3. Hold the mail

One of the most obvious signs that a homeowner is out of town is when a house is bombarded with packages and fliers. If you’re going to be out of town, contact the U.S. Postal Service to put your mail on hold. As a secondary measure, ask a neighbor to keep an eye out for packages or fliers and bring them inside for you.

4. Turn off the water

To ensure you won’t have to worry about any plumbing leaks while you’re away, play it safe and turn off the water at the main shut-off valve. Even if you already have a small leak that you haven’t noticed yet, turning off the water will make sure the problem doesn’t get any worse while you’re away.

5. Test your smoke alarms

Finally, before you leave you should make sure that all of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in working condition. Whether you’re home or away, you want to be positive that your system will be able to detect smoke and carbon monoxide if they are present.

What to do before leaving for the holidays?

Before you leave for the holidays, doing simple things like unplugging appliances, turning off the water supply and draining waterlines can prevent disaster when you return. Whether you’re flying the coop for the whole winter or taking a long holiday vacation, it’s important to winterize your vacant home before you leave.

How to stop water from leaking in winter?

Turn off the water supply. The most important thing you need to do, especially if you’re leaving for the entire winter, is shut off your water supply. Leaving the water on when the lines aren’t going to be used can lead to a leak or burst pipe, which can cause a lot of damage. Shut your water off at the main valve, usually located outside.

How to keep your furnace from freezing?

You don’t want to turn your furnace off completely as this could cause your pipes to freeze and break. Instead, turn your thermostat down to about 60 degrees to keep your home systems and components near room temperature, where they are meant to be.

What to do if you don't shut off water?

If you’re not going to shut off the water supply, you should leave some water running through the pipes. Turn on the fixtures closest to where water enters the house and at the farthest point indoors, like an upstairs bathroom, so there’s a steady trickle. The water needs to be constantly flowing to avoid a problem.

What to do if you leave the power on?

Unplug all appliances. If you leave the electric power on, unplug electric appliances , including microwave ovens and TVs. This way you’ll avoid the risk of fire if there should be a faulty switch or other issue.

How to keep your home warm in cold weather?

Have your heating system inspected and serviced by a licensed professional before the onset of cold weather. Have your fuel tanks filled before you leave and make sure you have set up periodic fuel deliveries, if needed. Have someone check on heat and fuel levels regularly while you are gone.

What to do when property is vacant?

Notify the police department that the property will be vacant, and provide emergency notification numbers.

What to do when you're away from snowbirds?

Snowbirds: Winterize Your Home For When You're Away. If you are a snowbird heading south for the winter, there are several key things you can do to help protect your vacant home. Taking these steps can help protect your home from theft, water damage, heating or electrical system malfunctions and other possible threats while you are away ...

How to prevent snow from coming in after a storm?

Arrange for someone to remove snow after storms. Put motion-sensitive exterior lights and interior lights on timers and set them to come on at varying times to discourage prowlers. 2. Take Steps to Protect Your Home from Thieves. Confirm that your alarm systems are in working order and have been activated.

What to check for in a house?

Check weather-stripping, insulation and exterior doors and windows to ensure no major deficiencies are present . Water and insects can enter through these openings.

Why do you clean your home?

Clean your home thoroughly to help discourage new “residents” from moving in.

What to do when electrical service is on while away?

If electrical service to the home is to remain on while you are away, consider having a licensed electrical contractor inspect your main electrical panel, wiring and outlets. Repair or replace anything that may be defective. Have your roof inspected and clean your gutters to help prevent ice from building up.*.

How to make your house look occupied?

Leave a light on: During a short trip, leave a few lamps on throughout the house to make it look occupied. For a longer vacation, invest in inexpensive automatic timers that can turn our lights on and off at staggered intervals, making your house look occupied. Alert your home-security service or a trusted neighbor so one or the other can keep an eye out as well.

How to keep bugs out of your house?

Alert your home-security service or a trusted neighbor so one or the other can keep an eye out as well. Spray for bugs: Spray an insecticide in key areas so bugs will steer clear while you're gone.

Who sponsors the look at how to prepare your home before a vacation?

Cummins is sponsoring this look at how to prepare your home before a vacation.

What to do when electricity goes out?

If you’re out of town when the electricity goes out, food can spoil in the refrigerator, irrigation systems will stop watering the lawn, automatic timers will stop turning on and off the lights that are making your home look occupied.