Going away for a while

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Old Feb 24, 2014 | 03:41 PM
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Going away for a while

No, i did not get indicted.

Any of you do anything special if you are leaving the house unattended for more than a few days? Turn off the main water line? shut off the washer/dishwasher supply lines? anything?
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Old Feb 24, 2014 | 04:16 PM
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Note to self: Schedule for burglary in AZ.

:wink:
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Old Feb 24, 2014 | 04:26 PM
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I've always had nice neihbors that would throw the mail in the house and look for broken windows now and then. I think you can have your mail held at the post office by request or something.
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Old Feb 24, 2014 | 04:31 PM
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ETr28Yj.gif
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Old Feb 24, 2014 | 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Italiano
Nice to know someone with your "background" is browsing pamperedpussy.tumbler.com. Anyone from the state you think might be interested?
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Old Feb 24, 2014 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
Note to self: Schedule for burglary in AZ.

:wink:
no dates posted. There are multiple .45s here if you show up on the wrong day.

Originally Posted by Stapler
I've always had nice neihbors that would throw the mail in the house and look for broken windows now and then. I think you can have your mail held at the post office by request or something.
Yeah I am planning to ask my neighbors, too. Just wondering about turning off the water, etc...
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Old Feb 24, 2014 | 05:02 PM
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Depends on the duration of your absence. At my cousins vacation property we learned that it's best to put some mineral oil down your drains and in the toilet so the water doesn't evaporate out of the traps and let sewer gasses backup into your house. But if your only gone a week or two don't think it's necessary.
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Old Feb 24, 2014 | 06:49 PM
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Interior lights on timers, ask neighbors to pickup newspapers and flyers, water heater to pilot position, shut valves to washer, deactivate radio control of garage door and notify local PD that you will be away.

AND tell the neighbors that if they see a moving truck in the driveway; YOU ARE NOT MOVING!
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Old Feb 24, 2014 | 06:50 PM
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+1 for lights on timers, garage door physically locked. Maybe keep a stereo on?
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Old Feb 24, 2014 | 07:03 PM
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. . . and a Post Office mail hold. You will not believe how much junk mail you get until you go to pickup the mail hold.
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Old Feb 25, 2014 | 02:15 AM
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Originally Posted by stogie1020
Yeah I am planning to ask my neighbors, too. Just wondering about turning off the water, etc...
Turning off the water can't hurt-- I had a kitchen water filter canister break just before we returned from a trip several years ago, flooding part of the kitchen floor.
It's easy-- just one knob to twist.

Originally Posted by Dan
Interior lights on timers, ask neighbors to pickup newspapers and flyers, water heater to pilot position, shut valves to washer, deactivate radio control of garage door and notify local PD that you will be away.

AND tell the neighbors that if they see a moving truck in the driveway; YOU ARE NOT MOVING!
Mail and newspaper holds can be done over the interwebz now.
No phone calls or office visits necessary for either the USPS or newspaper office.

In addition to (or instead of the cops), let the alarm company know you'll be out of town.

Turn off the A/C while you're at it, if the A/C is set on "auto."

Have fun.
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Old Feb 25, 2014 | 02:49 AM
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You can FB message me if you want since Ive got pretty good at all this.
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Old Feb 25, 2014 | 08:54 AM
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The spiders will guard the house. No worries.
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Old Feb 25, 2014 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Will Y.
Turning off the water can't hurt-- I had a kitchen water filter canister break just before we returned from a trip several years ago, flooding part of the kitchen floor.
It's easy-- just one knob to twist.


Mail and newspaper holds can be done over the interwebz now.
No phone calls or office visits necessary for either the USPS or newspaper office.

In addition to (or instead of the cops), let the alarm company know you'll be out of town.

Turn off the A/C while you're at it, if the A/C is set on "auto."

Have fun.
Thanks, good points. Only issue is that if i turn off the water to the house, the drip irrigation gets shut off, too. Hrm...
Originally Posted by Whiskers
You can FB message me if you want since Ive got pretty good at all this.
Awesome, thanks.
Originally Posted by doopstr
The spiders will guard the house. No worries.
Must resist urge to get matches....
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Old Feb 25, 2014 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Italiano
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Old Feb 25, 2014 | 12:28 PM
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Old Feb 25, 2014 | 12:59 PM
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Always tell a neighbor hopefully some one you know. Water not necessary. Light timers are nice especially for your outdoor lights. Set them to be on from dusk to dawn.


The automatic dog bark also is cool if they still sell them.
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Old Nov 17, 2014 | 10:00 PM
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BUMP

My gf and I just purchased a home in the Catskills that we will use as a weekend/vacation home, and will occasionally rent as well. We've never owned a home, let alone one in NY where the winters can get pretty cold. Our plan is to head up there 1-2 weekends a month, and have the occasional rental. That said, when do you recommend that we do the following (in terms of time away from the house):

1) Turn off breaker to the well
2) Shut off the main water valve
3) Turn on all faucets and drain toilets
4) Put anti-freeze in toilets (anywhere else)?
5) Anything else?

For example, if we go up this weekend and know that we'll be back the following weekend, do we have to do any/all of these? The couple we just purchased the house from (who also would go up there once every month or two as they reside in FL) said that they would keep the Heat on and set it to 50 and would shut off the breaker to the well and hot water heater, and that's it. Would that be sufficient? I want this to be as easy as possible, especially for the fact that we'll rent it here and there and with us being 2-2.5 hrs away, I don't want it to be a headache for those that stay at our place.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

`John
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