How should you prepare your home before going overseas?

Before going overseas: the home checklist

A little preparation before a long trip helps you avoid coming home to stale smells, wasted power or stagnant water. Most jobs take a few minutes. If you keep a home maintenance calendar, add this list to it for the next trip.

The checklist in brief:

• Aircon: dry the inside, then switch it off at its breaker.
• Water heater and devices: switch them off, but keep the fridge running.
• Floor traps and water: seal unused floor traps and turn every tap off fully.
• Mosquito breeding: clear anything that can hold stagnant water.
• When you get back: air the flat, run the taps and check for leaks.

Aircon

If you will not use the aircon for weeks, dry it before you switch it off. Daikin's air conditioner troubleshooting page gives three steps for an extended period of non-use: run the mould-proof operation on a sunny day to dry the inside, then unplug the power cord or turn off the aircon's dedicated circuit breaker, and remove the remote controller batteries. Follow your own model's manual too: other brands have their own steps, and some use a fan operation to dry the inside.

Daikin's troubleshooting page says the dedicated breaker is in the main fuse box. If you do not know where it is, check with your installer or a qualified electrician. Daikin also warns that a commercial cleaning spray used inside the aircon may damage resin parts of the heat exchanger and, in the worst case, cause water leaks. If you see signs of aircon mould, read that guide instead of spraying the unit.

Water heater and electrical devices

The National Environment Agency (NEA) says in its energy saving tips to switch off the water heater when hot water is not needed. A storage heater keeps using energy while it is switched on. NEA also notes that many appliances still draw power after being switched off, so turn them off at the socket. It names modems, set-top boxes and game consoles as connected devices to switch off when not in use.

Before you leave, walk through each room and switch off the television, computer, chargers and small kitchen appliances at the socket. Keep the fridge running, though. Clear out fresh food that will not last until you return, check that the door is fully closed and leave it plugged in.

If anything seems unusual when you switch the heater back on after the trip, compare it with these water heater warning signs.

Floor traps, drains and water

HDB's floor trap guide lists ways to deal with foul smells. One suits a trip: seal the floor trap cover temporarily if it will not be used for a long time, for example during an overseas holiday. HDB also suggests removing trapped particles and flushing, flushing the toilet regularly when you are home, and installing an anti-mosquito device. To prevent chokes, keep the grating closed and do not pour cooking oil or throw food waste down the floor trap or sink.

Then turn every tap off fully, including the shower, kitchen and washing machine taps. Watch each one for a few seconds to check that it has stopped dripping.

If a neighbour reports water coming from your flat while you are away, the person checking it can follow what to do about a burst pipe.

Mosquito breeding

Any container that can hold stagnant water belongs on your leaving home for holiday checklist. NEA's Checklist for a Mozzie-Free Home lists steps to follow at all times, and these are the ones to do before a trip:

• Turn pails and watering cans over and store them under shelter.
• Remove the water in plant pot plates and scrub them to remove mosquito eggs.
• Empty flower vases, or change the water and scrub the inner sides.
• Cover rarely used gully traps.
• Do not place trays or receptacles beneath or on top of any aircon unit.

NEA's checklist treats pot plates and vases as every-other-day jobs. If you will be away for more than a few days, ask someone to water your plants and check the pot plates while you are gone.

For the full routine, see how to prevent mosquito breeding at home.

When you get back

On your first day home:

• Open the windows to air the flat.
• Run each tap for a short while before you use the water.
• Turn the aircon on and check that it drains properly.
• Check floor traps, sinks and the area around the water heater for leaks or smells.

If water leaks from the indoor unit, Daikin's advice is to stop using the aircon, collect the water in a bucket or with a floor cloth, and check whether water comes out of the drain hose outside. For the rainy months, see these monsoon home care tips. If something needs a professional, see which service you need.

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