Ask Your Brother: How Do I Prep My House Before Going on Vacation?
On this week’s Ask Your Brother, a fan writes in asking Drew and Jonathan this ultra-important question you might not have considered before: “How should I prep my home for vacation mode?” If you’re jetting off on your own vacay soon, you’re probably looking forward to soaking up some sun, going to the beach, doing fun activities with the family, and—of course—relaxing. But before you can truly unwind and enjoy your island time, there are some things you need to do to prep your house for vacation. This way, you can rest easy knowing you’ve taken the steps to protect your home while you’re away for a while.
Taking care of your property is important while you’re home, but it becomes even more important when you’re away! You want to do everything you can to deter unwanted pests, prevent leaks and mishaps, and deter potential intruders. If it seems like overkill, we promise, it’s not! You can never be too prepared, especially if you’ll be gone for a week or longer. Luckily, the Bros are here to give you seven tips to help you prep your house, no matter how long your vacation lasts. After that, all you have to do is pack your carry-on and enjoy!
1. Turn Off the Water
“Make sure you turn off all your faucets,” Jonathan says. “Check under your sinks, around the water heater, in the basement for any potential leaks. If you’re taking a longer trip you can even shut off the main water supply. If you live in a particularly cold area, winter-proof your pipes so they don’t freeze or burst.”
2. Turn Off the HVAC
“Save yourself some money and make sure all your heating and cooling systems are turned off while you’re gone,” Drew says. “Or at least have a smart thermostat where you can set a slightly wider boundary so that you’re not getting too cold or too hot.”
3. Empty the Fridge
“Before you leave, toss out any old food or leftovers,” Jonathan says. “Produce? Gone. Dairy products? Gone. Anything that might smell? Get rid of it. Trust me. And do not forget to take the trash and recycling out right before you leave.”
4. Secure the House
“Lock it up,” Drew says. “Do a quick sweep of your house—windows and doors. Sounds obvious, but it’s always worth double checking, especially if you have kids. Parker is always leaving windows and doors open!”
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5. Stay Off Social Media
“While you’re gone, don’t post on social media,” Drew says. “Maybe save up the photos from the trip and then post those after you’re back. Keep in mind that there are a lot of shady people that will scroll through social media looking for people celebrating that they’re out of town, and then they’ll take advantage of that.”
6. Unplug Electronics
“Unplug any electronics that you don’t want drawing energy,” Jonathan says. “Even when you have TVs, computers, chargers off, they actually still draw a little bit of energy.”
7. Tell a Neighbor
“Finally, tell a neighbor that you trust that you’re going to be out of town,” Drew says. Sometimes, simply having someone you trust keep an eye out on your home while you’re away is a nice added layer of protection and comfort.”
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Bree Pulver
Bree is the Senior Digital Editor at DrewandJonathan.com. In the past, she’s worked for publications focused on home improvement and sustainable living. Bree’s Pinterest board is filled with cozy textures; vintage patterns; sculptural furniture; and moody, warm-toned colors. She has a degree concentrated in the intersection of writing and architecture, which influences her passion for exploring creative solutions to unusual home layouts and stylish renter-friendly decor. She’s a self-proclaimed pro at finding the best antique furniture in the most unlikely of places (but her cat Blue can certainly back these claims).
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