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Questions about leaving a house vacant.

Navy Chief

Navy Chief

Senior Member
I do have someone (who lives three doors away) who'll be checking my place every day or so, besides cutting the grass and overall keeping it up. Vandalism is the main concern. But what other sorts of things should I do? I don't think turning off the water to the house would be good. Realtors do bring potential buyers to see it. I figured on leaving the aircond on at 85. If the house hasn't sold by winter, then maybe set the heat at 55.

Any advice?


NC

 
If you turn the water off make sure you turn the hot water heater breaker off as well

If you leave the water on ,turn off the washer valves-I have seen where the washer hoses have burst and what a mess.....

I would also have some motion lights around the outside and even a timer inside to turn several lights on & off....

Make sure your neighbor picks up all the crappy little local papers they pitch in your drive and any crap folks hang on your front door--these pile up and that says no one home.....

Rick
 
My suggestions, and we welcome you to Sunny Fla.....

This is not complete but is a good baseline. Keep in mind that WATER is your number one threat, followed by fire.

1. Turn off the hot water heater (drain it if it's inside the house).
2. Shut off any water feeds to the washer. Ideally shut off all water at the main source.
3. Unplug both the washer and dryer.
4. Turn off all ceiling fans.
5. Shut off any gas
6. Before winter, check to see if your pipes are insulated. Consider using RV antifreeze fluid in your drains (don't use regular auto antifreeze!!).
7. Close all drains in tubs and sinks
8. Open the lids to the toilets and place saran wrap over the toilet bowl (if the water evaporates out of the trap, the sewer gas will enter the house).
9. Leave NOTHING in the fridge. Ideally, you will want to clean it out, leave the doors open, and turn it off and unplug it.
10. No food in the house unless it's in a Can. Don't leave bagged items. Rodents can identify a bag by smell, and will get into it, even if they don't know what's inside.
11. Cut back any vegetation well back from the house.
12. Clean the gutters.
13. Drain anything outside. If you have a pool, suck it up and get a service. You can't drain it, you can't leave it alone.
14. Unplug anything left.
15. Leave nothing inflammable in the house....this includes oily rags, some cleansers, etc...
16. Some people would tell you to shut down all the power. I disagree and would leave the AC/Heat on as you have said. You can run it up to 88 easily, wouldn't go beyond 90 as any wallpaper will start to peel. The AC also removes moisture which can be a problem in some areas. Do not let the temp in winter go below 40. Absolutely not below freezing.
17. Take the time to CLEAN THE ENTIRE HOUSE!! I mean top to bottom....floors, fixtures, shelves, cabinets, baths, moldings, baseboards.....EVERYTHING.

I would modify any of these if you have a Realtor coming in to show or check the place based on how often you have that happening.

Finally,

18. Enjoy new digs!!
 
I have flexible plastic lines between the copper water lines and the fixtures for the toilets and sinks -- so I shut off my main water whenever I go away for a few days.

Hard lines are on the to-do list, but between a fire or water damage I consider water to be more of a threat.
:kilroy:
 
Panther_99FS said:
Hope everything turns out okay for you with the house!
Click to expand...

Thanks Panther. Although I haven't received a decent offer yet, I am hopeful to get one soon. The housing market is horrible right now; true. But it's not dead. There are buyers out there looking for a deal, and my place certainly fits that description. Almost 7 acres of peace and quiet!!! NC
 
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