Before you travel: a home checklist

Most of the worst homeowner stories start with "we came back from vacation and..." A washing machine hose let go, the heat quit during a cold snap, or a pile of packages told the whole street nobody was home. A short routine before you leave prevents almost all of it.

Give yourself a week to request a mail hold and line up a neighbor, then about 30 minutes on your last day for the walk-through. Tick items as you go; the page saves your progress, so you can start early and finish the morning you leave.

A week before

• Request a USPS mail hold USPS holds mail for 3 to 30 days, and you can request it online up to 30 days ahead at usps.com.
• Pause or reroute package deliveries Change delivery dates for subscriptions and online orders, or have a neighbor grab them.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to check on the house Give them a key, your contact info and a copy of our emergency card showing where the shutoffs are.
• Arrange lawn care or snow removal An overgrown lawn or an unshoveled walk is an easy sign that nobody is home.
• Fix any slow leaks before you go A drip becomes a bigger problem when nobody is there to notice. See fix a leaky faucet or fix a running toilet.

Water

• Turn off the main water shutoff This stops a burst hose or supply line from running for days. See find your water shutoff. If your fire sprinklers are fed from the main, leave it on and close fixture valves instead.
• If you leave the main on, close the washing machine valves Washer hoses are always under pressure and are a common source of floods.
• Set the water heater to vacation mode or as the manual says Rheem, for example, suggests the vacation setting for a few days and pilot mode or shutdown for longer trips. Follow your own model's manual. Relighting a pilot should only be done where the label instructs.
• Turn off the ice maker if the water is off Otherwise it may keep trying to fill.
• Run the dishwasher and washer before the last day Never leave them running when you walk out the door.

Heating and cooling

• In cold weather, keep the heat at 55°F or higher The Red Cross recommends this when you're away to help keep pipes from freezing. See prevent frozen pipes.
• Open sink cabinet doors on outside walls in winter This lets warm air reach the pipes.
• In hot weather, set the thermostat higher, not off The Department of Energy notes raising it while you're away saves energy. Keep it moderate if you have pets, plants or a humid climate.
• Replace the HVAC filter if it is due A fresh filter helps the system run smoothly while nobody is watching. See change your HVAC filter.

Electrical

• Unplug TVs, computers, chargers and small appliances The Department of Energy notes many electronics draw power even when switched off, and unplugging protects them from storm surges.
• Put a few lamps on timers Set them for different rooms and times so the house looks lived in.
• Leave the fridge and freezer running Toss perishables that won't last, and take the kitchen trash out.
• Check smoke and CO alarms Test them before you go so a low battery chirp isn't bothering your neighbors.

Security

• Lock every door and window Check basement windows, the garage entry door and any sliding doors.
• Unplug or lock out the garage door opener Many openers have a lock or vacation setting; your manual will say.
• Hide spare keys inside, not under the mat Give one to your neighbor instead.
• Wait to post trip photos Share them after you get home. A public post tells everyone the house is empty.
• Close blinds on ground-floor windows that show valuables Leave the rest as you normally would, so the house doesn't look shut up.

Travel often? Our free maintenance calendar can remind you to check the house before every season. If you come home to a leak, no heat or no hot water, we can match you with a local pro fast.

Common questions

Should I turn off my water when I go on vacation?

For most homes it is a smart move, because a burst hose or supply line can run for days unnoticed. The exception is a home whose fire sprinkler system is fed from the main line; check before you close it.

How long will USPS hold my mail?

USPS Hold Mail keeps mail for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 30 days. You can request it online up to 30 days ahead. For longer trips, USPS points you to its forwarding service.

Should I turn off my water heater when I travel?

It depends on the trip length and your model. Rheem, for example, suggests the vacation setting for shorter trips and pilot or full shutdown for longer ones. Follow your water heater's manual.

Sources

• USPS: Hold Mail service
• Rheem: Should you turn off your gas water heater on vacation?
• American Red Cross: Preventing and thawing frozen pipes
• U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Saver guide

Related

• Find your main water shutoff before you need it
• How to prevent frozen pipes and thaw them safely
• No hot water: safe checks for gas and electric water heaters
• Winter home maintenance checklist