As you make big plans for vacation be sure to also plan for leaving your home in tip top condition for the time you’re away. This will give you peace of mind while you’re off making vacation memories.
HERE ARE SEVERAL HOUSEHOLD TIPS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER WHILE YOU’RE AWAY:
SET YOUR THERMOSTAT ACCORDINGLY
Living in the desert, it’s important to set the AC just cool enough to keep the air circulating, controlling humidity, mold, and saving energy while you’re on summer vacation.
Living in a hot climate like Phoenix, it’s best to have a programmable thermostat. This way you can set the temperature warmer while on vacation – set it as high as 85 degrees. At this temperature, it can still protect appliances, furniture, and other sensitive items from ruin. It’s also the best way to save money and energy while you’re gone. Of course, use your best judgment as to the temperature that feels best for your home and belongings.
TURN OFF OPTIONS FOR YOUR WATER SUPPLY
Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to taking a chance on plumbing leaks while you’re on vacation. There are options for helping prevent leaks. You can turn off your entire home water supply (if you use this option turn off the gas or electricity to the water heater), you can turn off the water supply to toilets and sinks, and/or you can adjust the water heater to ‘vacation mode’. It’s up to you and your comfort level to decide the best option for your home. Your decisions can be based on numerous factors, like the amount of time you’ll be gone, the condition of your plumbing system, and whether you need to supply water for outdoor plants/grass or pool.
CLEAN DRAINS WITH BAKING SODA
Baking soda is a great help around the house and combining it with vinegar can help clear clogs and freshen up your drains.
One recipe for drain cleaning: Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain and follow it with 1 cup of vinegar. After 5 minutes you can flush the drain with 2 quarts of hot water to complete the process. If it’s a stubborn clog, you might repeat this process a time or two for best results.
Once you’ve checked these items off your list you can rest easy knowing that you’ve done your part to keep your home safe and sound. This can relieve some stress so you are able to get out and have a great time and enjoy your adventures.
UNPLUG WHILE YOU’RE GONE
You might know the term ‘energy vampires’. This refers to the many electronic devices most of us own and keep plugged in even when we’re not using them. This can be a real drain on your electricity. These energy vampires include TVs, computers, tablets, toasters, microwaves, lamps, etc… Unplugging as many of these items while on vacation can save energy, and it can help prevent an electrical fire.
USE A TIMER
When on vacation, it’s best to have a timer set for your lights so it looks like the home is not empty. Leaving a dark home makes the home an easy target for burglars. Set lights to go on and off at varying times during the night and you might want to have lights turning on and off in different rooms while you’re gone.
STOP YOUR MAIL AND NEWSPAPER
Another way to keep your home looking lived in is to have the mail and newspapers put on vacation hold until you return from your trip. It just makes good sense to avoid any chance of trouble at home while you’re gone. No sense in being obvious that you are gone.
This checklist is meant to remind you of the household items that are not always top of mind when heading out for vacation. Additionally, we’d like you to keep Marlin’s number on hand in case of emergency.
We’re here for your plumbing and air conditioning services 24/7,
and in the case of emergency
Call Marlin Services: 602-470-1040