means people are packing up for a long weekend, heading out of state, or spending a few days with family.
Before you lock the door and leave, there are a few simple things worth checking around your rental home.
Most of them take only a few minutes, but they can help prevent frozen pipes, water damage, heating problems, missed packages, and other headaches while you are away.
1. Do Not Turn the Heat Off
This is probably the most important one.
Even if you are trying to save on utilities while you are gone, completely shutting off the heat during cold weather can put plumbing at risk.
Northwest Arkansas temperatures can change quickly, especially in November and December. A mild afternoon can turn into a freezing night faster than most people expect.
Keep the thermostat set at a reasonable temperature while you are away. If a cold snap is expected, it is even more important to make sure the heating system stays on.
2. Disconnect Exterior Water Hoses
If you still have a hose connected outside, take it off before leaving.
Water trapped in a hose or exterior faucet can freeze and expand, which can sometimes lead to damaged plumbing.
Drain the hose and store it somewhere protected.
It is a small job, but it is one of those things that can save a much bigger repair later.
3. Take a Quick Look for Leaks
Before leaving, walk through the home and check under sinks, around toilets, near the water heater, and anywhere else you know plumbing is located.
You are not looking for anything complicated.
You are simply checking for dripping water, wet spots, standing water, or anything that looks unusual.
A slow leak that goes unnoticed for several days can cause a surprising amount of damage.
If something looks wrong, submit a maintenance request before you leave rather than hoping it can wait.
4. Make Sure Doors and Windows Are Secure
This sounds obvious, but holiday travel is one of those times when people are rushing.
Check the front door, back door, garage entry, and any accessible windows before you leave.
If you have a garage, make sure the garage door is fully closed and locked if your system allows it.
Do not leave spare keys somewhere obvious outside the property.
A quick walk around the home before leaving is usually worth the extra minute.
5. Think About Packages Before You Go
Holiday packages can pile up quickly.
If you are expecting deliveries while you are away, consider having them held, rerouted, or picked up by someone you trust.
Packages left on a porch for several days can make it obvious that nobody is home.
They can also be damaged by rain or weather.
If you know you will be gone for a while, planning ahead is usually easier than trying to track down a missing package later.
6. Know What Counts as a Maintenance Emergency
Not every maintenance issue is an emergency, but some things should never wait.
If you discover an active water leak, no heat during freezing weather, a major electrical problem, or another issue that could cause immediate damage or create an unsafe condition, report it right away.
If you are already out of town and someone checking on your home notices a serious issue, make sure they know how to contact management.
The earlier we know about a real problem, the better chance we have of limiting the damage.
7. Leave the Home Like Someone Is Coming Back to It
You do not need to completely shut the house down just because you are leaving for a few days.
Take out the trash.
Do not leave food sitting out.
Make sure sinks and tubs are not running or dripping.
Leave interior doors open enough for warm air to circulate through the home.
If extremely cold weather is expected, opening cabinet doors under sinks can help warm air reach plumbing located along exterior walls.
And if you are leaving for an extended period, it is a good idea to have someone you trust check on the property occasionally.
A Few Minutes Before You Leave Can Save a Lot of Trouble
Most holiday travel goes exactly as planned.
You leave, enjoy a few days away, and come home without a problem.
The goal of these steps is simply to keep it that way.
A quick walk through the house, keeping the heat on, checking for leaks, and securing the property can help prevent some of the most common problems we see during colder weather.
It is especially important in Northwest Arkansas, where winter weather can be unpredictable and temperatures can change quickly.
The GHM Perspective
At GreenHouse Management NWA, we want residents to enjoy their time away without worrying about what is happening back at home.
A lot of property damage can be prevented with simple communication and a little preparation.
If something looks wrong before you leave, let us know.
If you are not sure whether an issue needs attention, ask.
It is always easier to deal with a small maintenance concern before it becomes a major one.
Traveling This Holiday Season?
Before you head out, take a few minutes to walk through your home and make sure everything is ready for the time you will be away.
And if you need to report a maintenance issue, contact GreenHouse Management NWA through your normal maintenance request process so we can get the right help involved.
GreenHouse Management NWA
523 SE 6th St
Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: (479) 935-1237
Email: GHM@BeBetterNWA.com
Website: www.ghmnwa.com