4 'household checks' experts recommend before a holiday – to avoid the stress of coming home to unexpected bills and burst pipes
They may seem inconsequential, but each is important
It's that time of year when we start heading off on the summer holidays we've been dreaming about all year. Just ensure that excitement doesn't mean you neglect carrying out a few crucial home checks before you go.
With so much to organise before you set off, it’s all too easy to forget to include more mundane maintenance tasks around the home on your pre-holiday checklist.
But like preparing your garden to keep it healthy while you're on holiday, there are certain essential steps experts recommend taking before you leave the house - to save money and avoid any unexpected problems on your return.
4 expert recommended household checks to do before a holiday
The thought of refreshing smelly bins and emptying dishwashers becomes a distant memory when you have a holiday looming. However, experts outline a few key tasks to tackle to ensure your home stays safe while you are away.
Whether you are going on holiday for a long weekend or a few weeks, these simple steps are worth undertaking to leave your house in 'sleep mode'.
1. Unplug unnecessary appliances
Between the best coffee machine and a top-of-the-range air fryer, your countertops might be quite full of kitchen appliances. These can be real power drainers as well as safety hazards.
Martin Garbutt, Head of Technical Governance at Ding, says, “People often forget how many appliances are left plugged in around the home. Unplugging unnecessary devices not only cuts energy waste, but also reduces the risk of electrical faults and fires while the property is empty.”
He also warns against leaving lithium-ion devices charging unattended for long periods, so make sure to check nothings left on charge, like your laptops and other electrical devices.
"However, some appliances should remain switched on, including your fridge-freezer and Wi-Fi router," starts Martin. "Your router uses very little electricity, and switching it off could disable smart security systems, cameras, or other connected devices while you’re away."
Once you're back, you might want to quickly check for any power cuts or issues. “Freeze a small container of water and place a coin on top. If the coin sinks beneath the ice by the time you return, it could indicate your freezer defrosted during a power cut," recommends Martin.
Give yourself some peace of mind with these timed plug adaptors. Perfect for controlling how long you want a device to be on and helping you switch it off without you being there.
2. Turn off your water supply
Not only a crucial check, but a sustainable home hack to save you money, turning off your water supply is a sensible measure to help avoid leaks, burst pipes and inflated water bills.
“To close off your water supply, firmly turn the valve handle clockwise (to the right) until it is fully closed. Never force it. If it is seized or stiff, applying too much pressure could break the valve," starts Martin.
“Then you want to go to your nearest cold water tap (like your kitchen sink) and turn it on to let any remaining water in the pipes run out. This helps depressurise the system," he adds. “When you return from your travels and are ready to turn the water back on, turn the stopcock anti-clockwise (to the left) slowly.”
I was always guilty of never doing this, and I'm sure I'm not alone. But since learning from the experts, I now do it like clockwork to avoid any potential water leaks occurring while I'm away.
My water valve is under my kitchen sink - a very common placement
3. Don’t leave your heating running unnecessarily
Finding ways to save energy in your home will make all the difference when your utility bills come in. Which is why it's key that you ensure all heating is off in your home while you're away.
“If you have a smart thermostat or digital heating system, using ‘Holiday Mode’ is the easiest and most efficient option,” Martin explains. “Most systems allow users to set an away period and maintain the home at a low temperature, typically between 7 °C and 12 °C, while they’re away.
Even if you don't have a top-of-the-range boiler, it's as simple as adjusting the thermostat.
“For traditional heating systems, turning the thermostat down low or programming the heating to run briefly once a day can help prevent damage without wasting energy.”
4. Leave dishwasher and washing machine doors open
Cleaning a washing machine and cleaning a dishwasher are key parts of kitchen maintenance, because, as areas that are consistently filled with water, they are the most prone to mould and bacterial build-up. With this in mind, a holiday is the perfect time to prep them ready for a reset on your return.
Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, shares, “Mould thrives in places of high humidity and moisture, so leaving the door open for a while after each use will help keep any mould at bay and prevent you from coming home to any unpleasant smells or a pending washing machine repair," says Ian.
Another top tip: “It’s also a good idea to remove and clean your dishwasher’s filter to prepare it for its first use when you come back. Food particles left in the dishwasher while you are on holiday can solidify and block up the filter, meaning you might need a professional dishwasher repair if you forget to clean it before leaving.”
These small actions may seem inconsequential, but by taking these simple measures, you'll be saving energy and preventing any potential problems from occurring while you are away, taking some much-needed rest time.
Simply leaving devices on stand-by can increase your energy bills by hundreds, so knowing what to turn off and how before you go away will have you thanking yourself in the long run.
