HOW-TO LIBRARY Thousands of Helpful How-Tos. Countless Ideas.Close this Window
Find this article online:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Improve/15_tips_close_home
 
Vacation Home.
Take precautions to close up your vacation home.

15 Tips For Closing Your Vacation Home
 
 

Preparing your vacation home for the off-season minimizes the number of possible accidents while you are away. A few precautions when closing your home will ease your mind while your vacation home is empty. Lowe's is happy to provide this information as a service to you.
 
  1. Clean the gutters to allow the rainwater to run away from the house, reducing the likelihood of damaging/flooding the foundation. If you have the budget, you may want to have gutter covers installed.


  2. Clean Your Gutters.
    Gutter covers will keep gutters from clogging.
    Prune any large tree limbs that hang over your home. This will reduce the chance of damage if there are ice storms or strong winds.


  3. If you have a summer home, disconnect all water hoses and cover all outside spigots with insulation.


  4. Store your patio furniture, grill, all tools and any other outside items in a storage building or inside the house. If you don't have a storage building or room in your home, cover all items with plastic and secure them. This helps to deter theft as well as protect the items from strong winds and precipitation.

  5. Completely clean out the refrigerator (including ice trays). Unplug the refrigerator and drain the ice maker hose. Prop open the refrigerator door. Also, unplug all other appliances. Drain all faucets in the house.


  6. Clean out your cabinets. Don't keep any food that rodents could have access to.


  7. Storage Building.
    Place all outdoor equipment in a storage building.
    Make arrangements for the utility company to turn off the natural gas. The water and propane will need to be turned off at the main line.


  8. If you have a summer home, consider hiring someone to winterize your plumbing to help prevent frozen pipes.


  9. Continue having pest inspections and pest treatments while you are away.


  10. Have your postal and newspaper service stopped or forwarded.


  11. Remove or hide all electronic equipment and other items that thieves would steal.


  12. Check the foundation of your home. Plug any holes in the foundation to keep small animals from entering your house.


  13. Be sure to properly close your pool.


  14. Find someone local that you trust to check on your home while you are away. Be sure to give them a phone number to reach you in case of emergencies.


  15. Make sure all windows and doors are locked and window treatments are closed.
Back to Top

Was this information helpful? Please let us know your do-it-yourself experiences. We'd love to hear from you!

These How-To's are provided as a service from Lowe's, the Original Home Improvement Warehouse of How-To information for the World Wide Web. The information in Lowe's "How-To" clinics is intended to simplify jobs around the house. Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read our terms of use.