Whether you're going on vacation for spring break, travel extensively for business or pleasure, have rental property that is unoccupied, or share time between two homes, there are things you can and should do before closing up your house for any real length of time, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.
Adjust Thermostat - One of the easiest things to do, but something easily forgotten, is adjusting the thermostat.
* In colder climates, don't turn the thermostat off. Instead, lower it to a temperature that's warm enough to keep pipes from freezing but low enough that you are not spending money to heat an empty home. (No lower than 55 degrees.)
* In warmer climates, high temperatures and humidity can damage furniture or other home contents. In this case, set your air conditioner to 85 degrees.
Protect Plumbing - Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst. Pipes, water heaters and other appliances can leak, or in freezing weather, pipes can freeze and burst, which can cause major damage in a home left unattended.
* If you are leaving for an extended period of time, the best protection is to have the water shut off and the water lines drained.
o Seek the advice of a professional plumber, who can shut off the valve at the water meter and send water outdoors and away from the house or into a basement drain. Once this has been done, the plumber should flush all toilets and drain the showerhead pipe.
o Shut off the gas to the water heater (or the gas company can do this for you), or turn the temperature control to a "vacation" setting. If your house has a water softener, shut off its supply line.
* If you choose to leave the water service turned on or will be away only a short while:
o Make sure all pipes are insulated, especially in a garage or basement next to an outside wall or in crawl spaces and the attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.
o Heat tape can also be used to wrap pipes. Wrap the tape or cables around water pipes, plug in the cord and the heating element will warm the pipes to prevent freezing. Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.
o Turn off the water supply to individual fixtures like your washing machine, icemaker, toilets and sinks.
Flooding often occurs when hoses are worn or ruptured, or there is a leak at the connection.
o Don't leave appliances (dishwasher, washing machine or dryer) running when you leave, and check to make sure toilets aren't running. As an extra precaution, unplug your toaster, coffee maker, microwave oven, computer and television.
o Make sure the sump pump is working, especially in late winter or early spring when melting snow or heavy rain increases the risk of basement flooding.
Plan for High Wind - If you're going to be away during a season that brings high wind, protect your property:
o Trim dead limbs from trees and shrubbery and store outdoor furniture and other objects that could become damaging missiles if picked up by high wind.
o Close and lock all doors, windows, skylights and vents to keep out wind and wind-driven rain.
Make Your House or Business Look Occupied - An empty, unsecured property can be a tempting target for thieves and vandals.
* Put interior and exterior lights on timers and/or motion sensors. Set the timers on staggered hours to turn lights on and off at different times.
* Make sure tapered deadbolt locks all installed and in use on entry doors. The taper makes it almost impossible to use a wrench or other tool to twist the lock open.
* Suspend mail service and newspaper delivery.
* Install a monitored security system. (Insurers often provide discounts for devices that make a home safer, so consider the financial benefit.)
* Inform the local police department that your house will be empty.
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