We will be embarking on a three-month trip this summer, leaving myhome vacant during those months. I had a couple of questions onreadying the home for our absence.I've read some websites that said you should turn the hot water heateroff (by this I assume they mean shut off the gas, therebyextinguishing the pilot), others that said to just turn it down to thelowest setting. Any pros/cons for doing one, but not the other? The"setting it to the lowest setting" option sounds best to me because torelight the pilot you have to take apart the front contraption andall, and I am not the most handy person .I was planning on shutting off the water (there's a valve outsidewhere the waterline comes in), as well as turning off the power at thefuse box. Any reason for not taking these two steps?Thanks!

Turn the water heater to pilot, turn off the water. Put stoppers in the kitchen sinks and close the stoppers in the other sinks to slow the drying of the P-traps. Empty the fridge, make sure the ice maker is in the off position. Unplug the water softener and anything else that might run unattended while away.Happy travels, Rich

Home checklist for extended travel?

Apr 30, 2007 23 Replies

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Nancy Young 19 years ago

"Mark Brader" wrote

Nobody said anything about tricking. I said Read your policy, don't go calling them up and giving them an opening to cancel you or raise your rates with what you think is an innocent question.

nancy

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Mark Brader 19 years ago

Nancy Young:

Mark Brader:

Nancy Young:

If they want to cancel the policy or "charge some outrageous amount", that would imply that you don't have coverage for the situation you're asking about. Unless of course *they're* trying to trick or cheat *you*, or their people are incompetent, in either of which cases you probably want to change insurers anyway.

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Alan S 19 years ago

Which goes back to my suggestion to find a better insurer ASAP.

Cheers, Alan, Australia

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Athens and The Adriatic

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Nancy Young 19 years ago

"Mark Brader" wrote

The state of home owners insurance coverage is not what it used to be. Best to read the policy and take whatever steps to avoid voiding your policy, it might be as simple as asking someone to live in your house for a couple of days, or come home a day early.

nancy

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