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Keep Home Safe While You Are Away
These 3 tips to keep home safe can help reduce the risk of water damage, fire and other property problems while you are away. Whether you leave for a weekend or a longer vacation, a few checks before departure can make your home easier to protect.
Water leaks can begin without warning, while blocked drainage or an electrical problem may cause damage when nobody is there to notice it. Therefore, focus on the systems most likely to create a serious problem while the property sits unattended.
Keep Your Home Safe From Water Damage
Start with the plumbing. Look under sinks, around toilets, near the water heater and behind appliances for leaks, staining or dampness. In addition, check any plumbing area that has caused trouble before.
If you plan to leave for an extended period, consider shutting off the home’s main water supply when doing so is suitable for your plumbing and other household systems.
The City of Toronto’s home water guidance recommends knowing the location of the main water shutoff. It also notes that homeowners going on vacation can turn off the main supply and drain water from the plumbing to help protect against leaks or frozen pipes.
Home Safety Tip: Know Your Main Water Shutoff
Do not wait for an emergency to locate the valve. In many Toronto homes, the main shutoff sits on the basement foundation wall near the point where the water service enters the building.
If a pipe breaks, closing this valve quickly can stop additional water from entering the plumbing system.
Protect Your Home From Appliance Leaks
Inspect washing-machine hoses, dishwasher connections, refrigerator water lines and other appliance plumbing. Replace damaged or leaking parts before leaving.
Meanwhile, keep essential equipment running when your property depends on it. For example, do not disconnect a sump pump that protects your basement from water.
Keep Home Safe With Water Leak Sensors
Water sensors can provide another layer of protection while nobody is home. Place them near water heaters, laundry equipment, sinks or other higher-risk areas.
Some smart systems can send alerts to your phone, while certain installations can also connect to an automatic water shutoff.
Keep Home Safe From Fire and Electrical Risks
Home Safety Tips Before Vacation
Walk through the home before you leave and turn off equipment that does not need to operate. Unplug non-essential small appliances and chargers when practical.
However, do not unplug important safety or building systems simply to reduce electricity use. Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, sump pumps, security systems and other necessary equipment should continue operating as required.
Keep Your Home Safe With Working Alarms
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before a longer absence and replace batteries when required. Regular alarm checks remain an important part of basic home safety.
Also, make sure you have not left candles, cooking appliances, portable heaters or other unnecessary heat sources operating.
Vacation Home Safety: Check the Kitchen
Before walking out the door, check the stove, oven and countertop appliances. Make sure cooking equipment is fully off and remove obvious combustible materials from heat sources.
This simple final check takes only a minute but can help reduce unnecessary fire risk while the property sits empty.
Keep Your Home Safe From Rain and Flooding
Protect Your Home With Proper Drainage
Before leaving, walk around the outside of your home. Look for blocked eavestroughs, damaged downspouts, loose roofing materials and areas where water collects beside the foundation.
The City of Toronto recommends keeping eavestroughs and downspouts clear so rainwater can drain properly. It also advises directing water away from the foundation.
Home Safety Tip: Clear Eavestroughs and Downspouts
Leaves, branches and other debris can block drainage. As a result, rainwater may overflow beside the house instead of moving away from the building.
Make sure downspouts discharge where water can move safely away from the foundation. If your home has window wells, inspect those areas for debris and drainage problems too.
Keep Home Safe by Checking Doors, Windows and Roof
Close and secure windows before leaving. Also, look for damaged weather seals or obvious areas where rain could enter.
If you already know about a roof leak, do not wait until after vacation to deal with it. A small active leak can spread into ceilings, insulation and walls during a storm.
Protect Home While Away With Regular Checks
For longer trips, ask a trusted person to check the home periodically. Regular visits can help identify a leak, heating problem, power outage or other issue before it causes extensive damage.
This step becomes especially useful during severe weather or winter cold.
Vacation Home Safety and Insurance Requirements
Insurance requirements for an unoccupied home can vary by policy and by how long you are away. Therefore, review your policy or speak with your insurer or broker before an extended trip.
Do not assume that every insurance company uses the same rules. Some policies may include requirements for heat, water shutoff or regular property checks.
What to Do if You Return to Water Damage
If you find water when you return home, first check for electrical hazards. Next, stop the water source when you can do so safely.
For larger losses, GTA Restoration provides water damage restoration, including water extraction, moisture assessment and structural drying.
If the source involves damaged plumbing, our emergency plumbing service can help with active leaks and burst pipes.
Keep Your Home Safe by Checking Hidden Moisture
Water may travel beneath floors, behind drywall and inside ceilings. Therefore, cleaning the visible puddle may not completely solve the problem.
Our water leak detection service can help identify hidden moisture when the full affected area is unclear.
3 Simple Tips to Keep Home Safe
Ultimately, the best 3 tips to keep home safe are straightforward: protect the plumbing, reduce unnecessary fire risks and check exterior drainage before you leave.
In addition, arrange a property check for longer trips and review your insurance requirements. These simple precautions can help keep home safe from preventable water and property damage while you are away.
Need Help Keeping Your Home Safe After Property Damage?
GTA Restoration provides 24/7 water extraction, emergency plumbing, moisture detection and property restoration throughout Toronto and the GTA.
Active leak or flooding? Stop the source when safe and get help before the damage spreads farther.
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