Vacation Home Checklist: Protect Your Home While You're Away

 Planning a vacation should be exciting, but coming home to a flooded house, broken appliance, or unexpected repair bill can quickly ruin those memories.

Before leaving town, take a little time to prepare your home. A few simple precautions can help prevent water damage, reduce unnecessary energy consumption, and keep your property secure while you're away.

Here are some practical tips from Mr. Fix-It for homeowners in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, and surrounding North Texas communities.

During the summer: Don't turn your air conditioning completely off. North Texas homes can become extremely hot and humid, potentially affecting furnishings, electronics, and indoor air quality.

Consider setting your thermostat around 80–85°F while you're away, adjusting as necessary for pets, humidity, sensitive belongings, and your home's particular conditions.

During the winter: Keep your heating system operating at a temperature sufficient to protect your plumbing. Around 55°F is sometimes suggested as a minimum, but homes with vulnerable piping may require a higher setting, especially during severe freezing weather.

If possible, use a smart thermostat that allows you to monitor temperatures remotely.

For extended trips, arrange for someone you trust to check your home periodically.

One of the most important things you can do before leaving on vacation is reduce the risk of an unattended plumbing leak.

• Consider shutting off the home's main water supply if your plumbing and appliances can safely be left without water.
• Turn off the hot and cold water supply valves to your washing machine.
• Inspect toilets, faucets, and visible plumbing connections for leaks.
• Check under sinks and around the water heater for signs of moisture.
• Consider installing water-leak detectors near washing machines, water heaters, and other vulnerable areas.

Before shutting off the main water supply, account for automatic irrigation, fire sprinklers, water treatment equipment, and appliances that require water.

A small leak can cause extensive damage when nobody is home to discover it.

Many modern water heaters include a vacation or away setting that reduces energy consumption while you're gone.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your particular gas, electric, tankless, or heat-pump water heater.

If you shut off the home's main water supply, make sure the water heater is placed in an appropriate operating mode. Never energize an electric heating element in an empty tank.

For most short vacations, draining the water heater is unnecessary.

For a typical vacation, leave your refrigerator and freezer running.

Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and the freezer at approximately 0°F to maintain safe food storage temperatures.

Remove highly perishable foods that may spoil before you return, and discard anything already approaching its expiration date.

For an extended absence, you may choose to empty and unplug the refrigerator. If you do, clean and dry the interior and leave the doors slightly open to prevent odors and mold.

Unplug unnecessary small appliances and electronics before leaving, particularly those that generate heat.

Check that the stove, oven, and other cooking appliances are turned off.

Surge protection can help protect sensitive electronics, but unplugging equipment that does not need to operate provides additional protection against some electrical hazards.

Leave power connected to essential equipment, including refrigerators, security systems, and devices needed to monitor your home.

Before leaving:

• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets.
• Check outdoor faucets for leaks.
• Protect exposed plumbing when freezing weather is expected.
• Make sure sprinkler systems are operating properly and are not leaking.
• Arrange for lawn care if you'll be gone for an extended period.

During winter freezes, take additional precautions appropriate to your home's plumbing and insulation.

Make your home look occupied while you're away.

• Use programmable timers or smart lighting to turn lights on and off.
• Lock doors, windows, gates, and garage access points.
• Arrange for mail and package collection.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to watch for unusual activity.
• Avoid publicly announcing your travel dates before returning home.
• Check security cameras, alarms, and exterior lighting before leaving.

If you'll be gone for several weeks, have someone inspect the property periodically for leaks, storm damage, or equipment failures.

Whether you're leaving for a weekend or an extended vacation, a simple home maintenance checklist can help you travel with greater peace of mind.

Mr. Fix-It provides home repairs, maintenance, remodeling, and handyman services in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, and surrounding North Texas communities.

Need help addressing a plumbing leak, repairing a damaged fixture, or taking care of home maintenance before your trip?

Call Mr. Fix-It at (972) 539-9913 to discuss your project or request an estimate.