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12-29-2021, 01:14 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Crossville
Posts: 61
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Things to do for the home before leaving for a month
We will be doing a mini-snowbird trip to Florida state parks later this winter. We plan to be gone about four weeks.
The X-23B is ready to go, but we are wondering about things at home. Here is what we have come up with so far:
Trusted neighbor who keeps an eye on things
Home security system that we can manage remotely
Lights on timers to simulate our being home
Car in the driveway
Thermostats set back to about 55 degrees
Mail held until our return
Water shut off at valve in crawl space
Nephew and his wife who live two doors down if needed
We live in Tennessee where temperatures can drop into the teens, and rarely into single digits. What other tips do you have for us? Thanks!
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12-29-2021, 01:17 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dallas
Posts: 4,281
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Turn home water heater to vacation setting if it has one
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Tight Lines and accurate shots
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12-29-2021, 01:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,865
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I would try to drain my lines if I'm going to be gone for a month.
Maybe have nephew drive the car once a week, just to give more appearance of an occupant being there.
I've bought into the Wyze brand stuff. I've got some Wyze cameras, a Wyze thermostat and a couple of Wyze outlet plugs. With the Wyze thermostat I can keep track of the temperature in the house AND I can turn the heat on the morning that we are returning home. With the Wyze plugs, I can plug in a couple floor lamps and they will randomly turn on and off throughout the day, rather than on a timer. With the cameras, I can see whats happening in/around the house.
Like Woodworker said, turn off water heater. Any gas appliances, shut off the pilot and gas feed.
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12-29-2021, 02:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Owens Cross Roads
Posts: 3,471
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Woodworker did not say turn hot water heater off. He said vacation mode which has it set to a lower temperature. If no vacation mode set it to 50 degrees. Lowering temp is less stressful on the hot water heater than shut down.
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12-29-2021, 02:33 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Southeastern PA
Posts: 111
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Have a neighbor put out your final garbage.
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2012 Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH
2016 Ford Expedition EL XLT 4x4 w/ HD tow
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12-29-2021, 02:43 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Turn the HWH off. No reason to have it keeping a tank full of water warm on a constant basis. I turn mine off often with no problems. Thermo to 60. Clean out the refrigerator. I don't turn off the water, there's no need to. Treat your home the same way you would leaving it for a week.
Always keep the refrigerator at normal temp, regardless of how long you're away. A closed refrigerator retains the cold for a good long time. It's on all the time anyway, right? To be honest, there's really no need to adjust or turn off the HWH. It runs 24/7/365 on a normal basis. I still turn it off because it doesn't run at all. But it doesn't take anymore energy to maintain 140 degrees or 50 degrees. They are well insulated and retain heat very well.
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2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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12-29-2021, 03:04 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 10,069
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We use light timers year round. When we are gone, the house looks the same. Having a radio on a timer too (talk radio), makes it sound like someone is around.
Have the neighbor, and your nephew park in the driveway periodically. Will make the place look like someone is around.
What about trash and recycling? We cannot cancel our service unless its for a couple months. If your the same, or the entire neighborhood gets picked up on the same day. Have them put some trash in your can and put it out for pickup (good time to clean the garages).
Check with your local police department. Ours has a vacation list. You advise them when your gone, who might be around, and would to contact if there is any issues. The police reserve unit, stops by periodically and checks the perimeter.
Have a great trip!
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2012 Jayco X23B for sale
2025 Alliance 23ML on order
2020 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW Air ride 50Gal fuel tank
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12-29-2021, 03:54 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: DeMotte, IN
Posts: 349
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Don’t broadcast it on Facebook or RV forums!
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2023 F350 Lariat CCLB, 7.3, 4.3
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2007 R-Vision 25: Long Long Gone
1965 Frolic Cabover: My First RV
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12-29-2021, 04:40 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Crossville
Posts: 61
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Thanks for the ideas. All are appreciated!
We have natural gas water heaters, so rather than turn them off I will just dial them back.
I plan to turn the water off not so much for freezing concerns, but to prevent the dreaded leak that could ruin floors, ceilings, and more.
We live in a rural area with "convenience centers" for household trash, and I take my own.
I will look into replacing our old style electro-mechanical timers with something more modern. A power outage of a few hours would throw everything out of whack!
I'll ask the neighbor to move the car occasionally.
Oops! Too late to avoid posting on RV forums. I'll have to trust you folks! We will avoid "revealing" posts while on our trip, though.
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12-29-2021, 06:30 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Bellingham,Wa.
Posts: 6,766
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Do your house plants need watering while you’re gone
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2010 Jayco Hybrid EXP21M
2013 Toureg TDI
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12-29-2021, 06:33 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Crossville
Posts: 61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tunce the traveler
Do your house plants need watering while you’re gone
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Good thought! My wife says the neighbor can be enlisted to help with that task.
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12-29-2021, 08:51 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 3,290
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You’ve likely thought of this, but if you subscribe to a newspaper, put it on hold. Then, still have a neighbor check your driveway — newspapers are notorious for screwing up and delivering it anyway, especially if a sub is doing the route. If you don’t subscribe you may get a free “shopper” tossed in your yard. Get on the do-not-deliver list immediately, and still have that neighbor check when you’re gone.
Regarding shutting off the water, I’ve had a couple of plumbers tell me they don’t recommend it. They said the valves are constantly under pressure and stopping that can allow leaks or blowouts later. On the flip side, at least you’d be back home then. Our area rarely gets below freezing, so that probably plays into it, too.
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2018 JayFlight SLX 212QBW
1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat SC, 7.3L PSD, 3.73
Transfer Flow 50 gal aux; Andersen WDH; Prodigy P2
😁 "If a man says he’ll fix something, he will. There’s no need to remind him every 6 months.
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12-29-2021, 10:35 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Newark, NY
Posts: 16,675
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If you get snow when you're gone, someone to shovel off the sidewalk and make tire tracks in the driveway might be nice.
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Moderator
Think you're too old to cry or swear out loud...walk into your hitch in the dark.
2012 Jay Flight 19RD
2016 Ford F150 XLT 2X4 SC 3.5L Eco Max Tow
2010 Tundra TRD DBL Cab (Traded)
2 new fluffy Corgis, Bayley and Stanley
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12-31-2021, 10:38 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: belleville
Posts: 65
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If your thermostat is battery operated put fresh batteries in it before you leave.
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01-01-2022, 07:52 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WEST YELLOWSTONE
Posts: 144
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Pour tablespoon of cooking oil in each Ptrap to reduce evaporation... although 4 weeks may not be a concern. Freeze water in a paper cup, then set a penny on top, and put in your freezer, if the freezer should thaw out and refreeze, you will know it.
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01-01-2022, 08:04 AM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 23,573
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We always put a hold on our mail when on a trip. USPS will hold it for up to 90 days and deliver when you return.
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Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
2017- F350 6.7 PSD Lariat FX4,SRW, SB,CC
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Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search
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01-01-2022, 08:33 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Kansas
Posts: 501
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spoon059
...
I've bought into the Wyze brand stuff. I've got some Wyze cameras, a Wyze thermostat and a couple of Wyze outlet plugs. With the Wyze thermostat I can keep track of the temperature in the house AND I can turn the heat on the morning that we are returning home. With the Wyze plugs, I can plug in a couple floor lamps and they will randomly turn on and off throughout the day, rather than on a timer. With the cameras, I can see whats happening in/around the house.
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Second on the Wyze stuff. It is very affordable to get into, and if you find that you don't like it, you're not out much money. The v3 cameras are only $35/ea, and they don't require any battery maintenance. They have battery powered options for more remote installations.
You can use them WITHOUT a subscription plan, but those are available as well, and they are pretty affordable too...
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01-01-2022, 08:56 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Western New York
Posts: 607
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bugzilla46310
Don’t broadcast it on Facebook or RV forums!
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X2!!!
I tell my DW, post the trip adventure when we get back.
My sister-in-law posts all her adventures on FaceBook or Instagram during their trip. I told her that's a bad idea to advertise to the world that you are away. She ignored me.
A few years ago they came back to an empty house. Burglars took almost everything.
They recovered. She and my brother were in Aruba last November. Guess what? She still posts her vacation photos and adventures while away.
Some will never learn.
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2015 Jayco Jayflight 27RLS
2012 Ford F-150
2001 Fleetwood Terry 28x
1996 Viking Pop-up
1979 Coleman 8 man cabin tent
1967 G.I Joe (hasbro) canvas pup tent
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01-01-2022, 12:47 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Mapleton
Posts: 4,583
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We are snowbirds and spend our winters in Florida. I subscribed to Simplisafe and added two sensors to the regular package. One is a temp sensor that alarms at 50 degrees if your furnace dies. The other is a water sensor by the sump pump hole. And it saved us a fortune. The sump pump quit and water crept out over the top and alarmed. I got a relative to go over, diagnose and replace for me saving thousands in mold and mildew prevention.
As to the water heater. I turned mine off a few years ago, temps dropped into the sub zero, wind blew down the vent pipe and froze and burst the water heater pipes. Yep, partially flooded basement but again lucky as my son dropped by and rescued us. (Also why I got Simplisafe water sensor!).
Pay a neighbor kid to watch the yard, picks up trash, limbs, etc. in yard to make it look lived in. Offer parking in drive to make it more looked in to any neighbors who might like to use it.
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2017 SLX 195RB
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit L 5.7L V8
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200 Watts solar panels from Renogy
Prev. '14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, gas 3.6 V6
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01-01-2022, 05:20 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Marion
Posts: 22
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I was an insurance adjuster for 31.5 years and the most expensive claims I handled (other than large fires) were water claims. The large water claims were where a water pipe or washing machine hose burst while the people were not at home. I always turn my water off (really, turn off my well pump) and turn the water heaters off if I am going to be gone more than a couple of days (because you won't want the water heater on with the water turned off). Some of the largest claims I had were where the washer was in an upstairs hall or closet and the hose burst (instructions say to always them the faucets off but very few do). I've had claims reported when the neighbors saw water running out the exterior door.
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