When it comes to travel, the holidays are one of the busiest times of the year. Friends and family dispersed across the globe come together for holiday feasts and gatherings.
Extra time away from work or school prompts families to take holiday vacations for which they’ve anticipated all year. You are bound to be on the road or in the air at some point this holiday season.
There is always a lot to do to get ready for holiday vacations. You have to make sure you pack everything you need, arrange flights and lodging, and bring all the presents you’ve purchased for your loved ones.
Travel preparation during this season means more than booking flights and hotels, packing the suitcases, and researching top tourist spots. Preparing for holiday travel also means making sure things are taken care of back at home when you leave for an extended period of time.
If you want a worry-free vacation, you can’t neglect your home while you’re vacationing away. Here are some practical things you can do to prepare your home for traveling during the holidays.
How to Prepare Your Home for Holiday Travel
1) Clear a Path
This time of year means your sidewalks and driveways are going to be full of leaves and snow. As mentioned in our blog last month, wet leaves can be nasty and dangerous if left unattended. We suggest you make sure there’s a clear path for you to return home so no injuries occur.
Clearing a path may mean bringing in a professional washing team to clean your sidewalks and driveway from fallen leaves, making it more difficult for snow and ice to linger.
2) Drain the Pool
If you have a swimming pool in your backyard that hasn’t been drained yet from the summer, you want to make sure you take care of it before you travel away from home. As the temperatures decrease in the coming weeks, if you haven’t drained your pool, you could return to a pool of ice.
3) Cover the Grill and Unplug the Propane Tank
It’s a good idea to cover the grill after every use, but double-check that you put the cover on before you leave your home. You don’t want it to rain or snow on your grill while you are gone.
Even more importantly, disconnect the propane tank to protect your home while you’re away.
3) Store Your Outdoor Items
Looking at your deck and your backyard, there are various things that could be destroyed by the weather during late fall and winter. Lawn chairs, hammocks, flags, decorations, and other valuable items aren’t meant to withstand the frequent rain and snow during the winter months.
This is Asheville, after all! To keep these items out of the weather, have a space ready to store them.
4) Check Foundation Cracks and Roof Issues
This is the big one! Now is the time to see if there are any cracks beginning to form in your basement or around your foundation. Also, you want to know if there are any issues regarding your roof.
Cracks in your home’s foundation or holes in the roof can invite moisture inside. This is especially concerning when the temperatures drop below freezing and the water freezes and expands.
The most important thing is keeping the weather outdoors. If the elements get inside your home while you’re gone, this can cause significant problems immediately and in the future.
5) Keep Tree Limbs and Bigger Trees Trimmed
Wind and ice from winter storms can take down large limbs and even entire trees. You do not want to return home only to find a large, possibly dead tree fell on your roof. You especially don’t want to regret failing to take care of it before you left.
To decrease the chances of such an occurrence, trim any large limbs near your home and have dead trees removed.
6.) Keep in Mind Security
There are many security measures you can take to keep your home safe while you’re traveling. Ranging from motion sensor lights to fully monitored security cameras, you have your pick of how much you might want to invest here.
Some simple (and free) things to keep in mind are:
- Have a neighbor pick up mail and packages
- Don’t leave a bunch of gifts right in front of the window
- Don’t post on social media where you’re going or travel dates
7) Pressure Wash Your Outdoor Surfaces
Your outdoor surfaces need to be cleaned regularly. You may not notice it as much from day to day, but returning to a house with a dirty exterior can be demoralizing. Furthermore, winter will only make matters worse.
Surfaces that can and should be pressure washed before you leave for vacation include:
- Your deck or patio
- Your home’s vinyl siding
- Your windows and doors
- Your sidewalks and driveway
- Your fencing
- Your roof and awnings
- Your solar panels
- Your outdoor furniture
As you prepare for vacation, don’t forget to make sure your home is ready. While some of these tasks may seem tedious, they could save your home from serious repair needs in the future. Prevention is the best measure to take when it comes to protecting your home.
Rely on Mobile Magic for Exterior Cleaning
Mobile Magic Pressure Washing is a professional pressure washing team located in the Asheville area. We help families and property owners by providing commercial-grade pressure washing services for your exterior surfaces.
We want you to be able to take great pride in how the exterior of your home looks. Contact us for professional pressure washing before you leave for vacation. You can visit our website to find out more about the services we offer and get a free estimate. We are available to answer any pressure washing-related questions and how Mobile Magic Pressure Washing can help your family and home.
Don’t return to a dirty home. Contact Mobile Magic today!
