Anyone who has ever purchased a home can tell you that it comes with a lot of expense, not just purchasing the home, but keeping it maintained as well. Not only are home repairs expensive, but in a Covid-19 ridden world, they can be even more stressful than they’ve ever been before. The Coronavirus has put everyone in panic mode, but hopefully, an end is in sight. If you intend to take a vacation after the pandemic ends, it’s going to take some planning to get everything ready before you leave.
While you’re getting together your passport, putting in for those vacation days, and making plans to travel within the United States, don’t forget to keep an eye on your house, so you can continue to avoid costly home repairs. Below, you’ll find a few things that you need to keep an eye on to avoid expensive repairs that could be waiting for you when you come back from your much-needed vacation.
1. HVAC Unit
One of the last things you want is to come home from vacation to find that your air conditioner won’t start. Whether it’s the thermostat, compressor, condenser, or even the evaporator coil, the trick is to maintain your unit the way you should so that you don’t come home to an ac unit that’s on the fritz, and a house that doesn’t have a breath of cool air in it. You can do this by changing your air filter before you leave on your vacation, and having a reputable HVAC company come out to inspect the unit before you leave. This way when you get home, all you’ll have to do is unpack and relax in your nice cool house.
2. Gutters
It’s possible to prevent exterior and interior damage to your home by simply cleaning out your gutters twice a year. It might seem like a tiny solution to what could be a huge problem, but it works. Take the time to sweep and unclog your gutters before you head out on your vacation, especially if it’s during the rainy season. Make sure that you wear gloves and protective eyewear when cleaning the gutters, and throw the debris onto a tarp. If you have a fear of heights or you’re not comfortable being on a roof, then it’s best to hire professionals to come in and do the job for you, before you leave.
3. Electrical Issues
It’s not easy or safe to deal with electrical issues, especially when you’re away on vacation. It’s a good idea to ensure that the wiring and other components in your home are in good working order before you head out on a trip. You can end up coming home to a serious problem if you have faulty wiring. The best way to prevent this is by having a professional come out and check your electricity if your appliances are shocking you, your circuit breakers keep tripping, or your lights flicker. This isn’t a problem that you want to do DIY style. Electricity is dangerous and can kill you, so please, leave it to the professionals to handle.
4. Plumbing
Plumbing issues are something no homeowner ever wants to have to deal with. While you can prevent some problems by not flushing things down the toilet that don’t belong there, keeping food out of your kitchen sink, and hair out of the bathroom sink as well, there are some problems you just can’t fix. Make sure that your plumbing is in good repair before you head out on your vacation so you don’t come home to a mess.
These are just a few of the things to keep an eye on so that you don’t have major house repairs to do. Make sure to fix any issues before you go on vacation and you’ll be fine.
