{"id":7855,"date":"2024-02-12T08:00:57","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T14:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aipflorida.com\/?p=7855"},"modified":"2024-02-13T07:26:35","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T13:26:35","slug":"prevent-a-vacant-home-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aipflorida.com\/es\/blog\/prevent-a-vacant-home-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"Prevent a Vacant Home Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"

Going Away? Prevent House Fires and Plumbing Leaks in a Vacant Home<\/h1>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n

Whether you\u2019re preparing for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, mechanical problems can easily develop in a house left vacant, causing major damage that might not be discovered until you return. Before you leave, run through this vacation checklist to protect and secure your vacant home<\/a>\u00a0against unexpected breakdowns.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Shut off the main water valve<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Frozen,
The water in this copper pipe froze, expanded and ripped a hole in the pipe causing a massive leak!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If the water pipe breaks in a vacant home, your house may literally fill with water, causing massive damage. The solution is simple: if you\u2019ll be away for more than a day, shut down your home\u2019s water supply by locating and turning off the main water valve to prevent plumbing leaks. This is usually found on the front, street-facing side of a home\u2019s lower level. It may be located in the crawl space; if it\u2019s difficult to get to, a plumber can add an extension to put it within reach. If your landscape irrigation comes from the same line, arrange for a bypass valve to be installed so that watering can continue as usual.<\/p>\n

Drain toilets<\/strong>\u00a0in a vacant home<\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re away during winter and your heat fails, toilets can freeze and break. As step two of the water shutdown plan, drain all toilets and tanks by holding down the flush lever until the water is gone. Then spill a bit of car antifreeze into the toilet to treat the water left behind in the toilet\u2019s trapway.<\/p>\n

Turn off water heater<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"How<\/figure>\n

No sense heating water in a vacant home when you are not around to use it. Turn off or turn down your water heater. If it\u2019s electric, turn off the large breaker assigned to it at the main electrical panel. For gas water heaters, turn the valve to the pilot position or turn it off completely, but only if you know how to relight it and will be away for an extended period of time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turn off circuit breakers<\/strong>\u00a0to prevent house fires<\/h2>\n
\"Turn<\/figure>\n

To minimize the risk of electrical fires, turn off all non-essential electrical circuit breakers in your home\u2019s electrical box (such as anything other than your heating system, security system, and outdoor lighting). Well before you\u2019re under pressure to figure out which ones are which, take time to label circuits with small colored dot stickers, using green for nonessential and red for essential.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Disconnect appliances<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n

Even appliances that are turned off in a vacant home can\u00a0use power<\/a>\u00a0and start electrical house fires. That\u2019s why it\u2019s smart to\u00a0unplug all appliances<\/a>, both large and small, including TVs, computers, radios, lamps, coffeemakers, and toasters.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lower the air conditioning<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Woman<\/figure>\n

If you\u2019ll be away for a weekend, set your air conditioner to 80 degrees to\u00a0lower air conditioning costs<\/a>; if you\u2019ll be gone longer, shut it down entirely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trim trees<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Large<\/figure>\n

Finish all major yard work before you go, with special trimming attention given to tree branches that may fall and do damage to your house in case of a storm.<\/p>\n

By taking just a few careful precautions, you can avoid mechanical breakdowns while you\u2019re away from your vacant home and ensure a happy homecoming.<\/p>\n

Going Away? Prevent House Fires and Plumbing Leaks in a Vacant Home<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n