Going on an Extended Vacation? Make Sure Your Home Is Protected

Going on an extended vacation? Then you know how important it is to make sure your home is protected while you’re away. Vacations usually last a few weeks or months, so taking steps to protect your home pristine ensures you come back to a pristine space. Here are some of the measures to look into before going away.

Get Your Roof Inspected

Protection is paramount when planning a vacation. Drifting away from the obvious pre-planning of said vacation, making plans to protect your home can ease your worries. One thing you should always prioritize is your roof’s condition. Getting a roof inspection before you leave will give you peace of mind and protect your house from possible damage.

One of the issues this solves is leaks and water damage. Heavy snowfall or rainstorms are notorious culprits in this, causing significant damage to your home if your roof is in disrepair. Inspecting your roof and fixing issues can minimize the risk of water seeping into your home and incurring costly damage.

A sturdy roof, moreover, protects your home from wind damage. Strong winds loosen shingles or blow them off completely—say hello to vulnerability and structural issues. Ensuring your roof is in good repair is an excellent practice that reduces the chances of wind-related issues while you’re away having a good time.

Getting your roof in perfect shape is a major stride in protecting your home while on vacation. You can prevent water or wind damage and improve energy efficiency—all perks that shouldn’t be overlooked. Addressing roof issues before you leave will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is secure even if you’re not present.

Ensure Your Trees Are Safe

Trees are important to the environment—that isn’t arguable. When you go on vacation, however, ensuring your trees are safe should be top on your to-do list. Unattended trees pose a risk to your property and surrounding areas. Before leaving for your trip, taking time to do some tree trimming can protect your home from damage.

Seeking professional assistance is the way to go with this task. These professionals will check for dead or dying branches first. Dead branches are more prone to breaking off during strong storms or winds—something that may yield damage to your home or nearby structures. An arborist is a lifesaver in this situation—they can assess your trees and safely remove any hazardous branches.

Moreover, pros can look for signs of infestation or disease in your trees. Infested or diseased trees can weaken and become more susceptible to breaking or falling. If they notice signs of disease like abnormal growth or discoloration, they’ll provide appropriate treatment or recommend tree removal if necessary.

Proximity to power lines is another concern for trees. Trees that grow too close to power lines are a severe safety hazard—power outages or electrical fires. Contact your local utility company to have them remove or trim any trees that are encroaching on power lines.

Taking time to ensure your trees are safe will give you the peace you want during your vacation. It’s always better to be proactive in protecting your property and preventing foreseeable calamity. Before you embark on your extended vacation, prioritize tree maintenance and other protection measures.

Adjust Your Delivery Services

When going on a long vacay, taking steps to protect your home is vital. One way to achieve this is by adjusting your delivery services. Employing several simple steps can ensure your packages and mail are handled properly in your absence.

Placing a temporary hold on your propane delivery. You can do this through the postal service or by contacting the company to inform them of the new developments. Doing this prevents them from arriving at your doorstep only to find no one home or worse, move back your scheduled delivery by several weeks after you come back.

Next, if you ordered a package and are expecting it to be delivered while you’re away, consider shipping them to another address. All you need to do is find a trustworthy person—a neighbor, your workplace, family member—to list them as your alternative address. Having someone collect your packages for you prevents them from being left unattended on your doorstep.

Aside from this, you also reschedule your heating oil delivery for another date. Provided the company offers flexible options to customers, you’ll be good to go with this arrangement. This ensures there’s no confusion in delivery times even while on holiday.

Adjusting your delivery services is an essential step in protecting your home while on vacation. Taking these precautions ensures your packages and scheduled services are handled responsibly. Combined with other measures, you can enjoy yourself knowing that your home is protected.

Clean Your Septic Tank

Going on vacation is a time to put your mind to rest and let your worries drift off. There are many things to consider to attain this. One aspect you may overlook is your septic tank’s maintenance. While it’s not the most exciting or glamorous task, cleaning your septic tank before leaving will save you from disaster and costly repairs.

Septic tanks are responsible for collecting and treating wastewater from your house. Over time, however, sludge and solid waste can accumulate in the tank—a magnet for backups and blockages. If ignored these issues give birth to foul odors, overflowing toilets, and damage to your plumbing system.

To clean your septic tank, it’s best to hire a septic tank cleaning company. They’ll have the equipment, knowledge, and experience to effectively pump out the waste from your tank. They’ll also inspect the system for any damage signs or leaks that you need to address.

Taking these precautions doesn’t mean you’re paranoid; it’s an assurance that you’ll find everything in order when you return. It may require some upfront investment and effort but it’s a small price to pay compared to the damage it will cause if you ignore it. Before heading out on your next adventure, adding septic tank cleaning to your pre-vacation checklist is advisable.

Have Someone Mow Your Lawn

Preparation is never enough when going on a vacation. Among the crucial tasks to prioritize before leaving is having someone mow your lawn. It’s a simple and effective way to ensure your home appears cared for and occupied—a deterrent for would-be burglars.

Mowing the yard prevents other problems from soaring when you’re away. Tall grass is a notorious hiding spot for rodents and snakes, increasing the risk of infestation. It also obstructs your property’s view and makes it harder for passersby or neighbors to notice if something suspicious is happening. Keeping your lawn well-maintained mitigates potential issues before they worsen.

Finding a local landscaping service to mow your lawn isn’t difficult. You can consult online directories or your neighbors to find a suitable professional for the task. Make sure to provide them with clear instructions on how much to mow and other specific requirements you want them to follow.

Having someone mow your yard is an effective way to protect your home while vacationing. It creates the illusion of an occupied and cared-for burglar to keep burglars away. However small it may seem, this step will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is protected even if you’re thousands of miles away from it.

Check Your Home for Leaks

An extended vacation is a time to let loose and enjoy the relaxing moments. However, taking proactive measures to protect your home before you depart will alleviate this experience. One of the things you should do before a vacation is to check your home for leaks.

Leaks cause damage to your home if unaddressed, especially if they go for an extensive period. Water damage paves the way for structural damage, mold growth, and costly repairs. Checking for leaks before you leave allows you to catch and fix any issues and prevent them from escalating.

Start by inspecting all the faucets and plumbing fixtures in your home. Look for any signs of leaks, such as dripping or pooling water. Make sure to check under sinks, in the basement, and around the water heater. If you notice any leaks, be sure to fix them or call plumbing services to do so before you leave.

Checking your home for leaks before departing for your vacation ensures your home is protected from water damage. It’s a serious issue that shouldn’t be tossed back without solving it. Preventing leaks and addressing issues early will save you money, time, and stress down the line.

Adjust Your Sprinkler Schedule

Planning an extended vacation wouldn’t be complete if you don’t consider how you’ll protect your home. Adjusting your sprinkler schedule is one of the things to plan for. While it seems minor, proper maintenance of the yard and landscaping can keep many problems at bay.

Adjusting your sprinkler’s schedule ensures your plants and lawn remain healthy even in your absence. Setting sprinklers to water at the appropriate times prevents your yard from becoming dry and brown—a blaring sign that no one’s home. A lush, green lawn, however, gives the impression that someone is actively caring for the property, making it less of a target for intruders.

Changing the schedules of lawn sprinkler systems is an effective solution for a stress-free vacation. It ensures your lawn and plants remain healthy and deters burglars from entering your home. Taking up this essential task will ensure you don’t come back to a disastrous property.

Check Your Basement for Cracks

Going on vacation—even the thought of it—is enough to make you feel giddy. However, putting measures in place to protect your home shouldn’t be gambled with. One thing you should prioritize during this process is checking your basement for cracks. Basement wall cracks aren’t something to brush off; your home’s security and safety are dependent on your basement’s stability.

Cracks in your basement walls are a sign of water damage or foundation issues. Foundation problems cause structural instability while water damage results in mold growth that may damage your belongings. Checking to see if your basement has cracks before you leave will allow you to detect issues early and take steps to address them.

If you do find cracks in your basement, having them repaired as soon as possible will prevent them from worsening. You can hire a professional to assess the damage and fix it with their specialized knowledge. In some instances, the repairs may be straightforward like filling in cracks with epoxy. In other cases, however, more extensive repairs are the answer like waterproofing the basement or installing foundation supports.

Squeezing in time to check if your basement has cracks can make you take effective measures to protect your home. Addressing any issue that may result from this will prevent further damage and ensure your property’s safety. Before you set off to your destination, give your basement a thorough inspection—you won’t regret it.

Adjust the Thermostat

When going on a vacation, you may forget to do tasks that will protect your home while you’re away. Adjusting the thermostat is an example of such a task. Properly setting your thermostat before leaving will prevent damage to your home and maintain a comfortable temperature upon your return.

Saving energy costs to lower your utility bills is one of the things you can gain from this. While turning off the HVAC seems like a feasible solution, it can cause issues like excessive humidity and freezing pipes. Instead, set the thermostat to a slightly higher temperature in the hot months—lower in the cold months than your usual comfort level. It will prevent unnecessary cooling or heating while still maintaining a reasonable temperature inside your home.

Aside from this, adjusting your thermostat can protect your home from damage. Extreme temperatures have adverse effects on various aspects of your house like electronics or wood flooring. You can have air conditioning and heating services set the temperature within a reasonable range to prevent these features from malfunctioning or warping.

Adjusting your thermostat is crucial before going on an extended vacation. Setting it to an appropriate temperature will save energy, prevent damage, and ensure a comfortable return. Taking a few moments to change the setting on your thermostat will provide the peace you crave and maintain your home’s integrity.

Going on a vacation means there shouldn’t be any room for stress. You can achieve this by employing measures to protect your house. Doing so allows you to enjoy your holiday without worrying about what might be happening back home.