Before You Leave: The Complete Seasonal Departure Checklist

Whether you're heading south for the winter, traveling for work, or spending the season elsewhere, walking out the door is the easy part. Walking back into a home that's been watched properly is what this checklist is for. Start two weeks before departure and work through each section.

Start planning 2 weeks before departure

Give yourself time. Schedule a furnace inspection, book your sprinkler blowout, order any parts you need, and confirm your monitoring plan. The homeowners who scramble the night before are the ones who forget the hose bib in the backyard.

Plumbing preparation

• Disconnect exterior hoses and hose bibs
• Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls
• Set the water heater to vacation mode or lowest setting
• Run water through all drains and toilets to prevent dry traps
• Consider shutting off the main water supply if recommended

HVAC preparation

• Set the thermostat to at least 55°F
• Replace the furnace filter
• Schedule a furnace inspection before departure

Exterior and landscaping

• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Blow out the sprinkler system
• Store outdoor furniture, hoses, and decor
• Trim branches near the house

Security and appearance

• Test security system and cameras
• Set lights on timers
• Lock all windows and doors
• Arrange for landscaping and trash-bin care so the home looks lived-in

Interior preparation

• Clean out the refrigerator and freezer
• Dispose of perishable food
• Close the fireplace damper
• Unplug non-essential electronics

Notifications

• Notify a trusted neighbor
• Check your insurance policy's vacancy clause
• Forward mail or arrange collection
• Tell Greg your travel dates and any concerns

The value of professional monitoring during your absence

Even the best checklist can't watch a home for three months. Regular home watch visits catch furnace failures, frozen pipes, roof leaks, and pest problems while the damage is still small. Weekly checks are strongly recommended during Idaho winters, and most insurers want documented inspections every 7 to 14 days on unoccupied homes.