Vacations are meant to be nice and relaxing, but when you fail to properly prepare your appliances before you leave, you may come home to some costly surprises, such as water leaks, spoiled food, mold growth, and more.
Fortunately, a little bit of preparation can protect both your appliances and your home while you’re away. If you’re about to set off on vacation, keep reading for a room-by-room appliance preparation checklist to help you avoid coming home to a disaster.
Why Vacation Appliance Preparation Matters
First, let’s talk about why properly preparing your appliances before a vacation is so important. One of the most important reasons to do this is to prevent water damage. Washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators — any appliances with water lines — can leak unexpectedly. Even a slow leak can cause major flooding and damage over several days.
Additionally, power outages or refrigerator issues can leave you dealing with spoiled food and unpleasant smells when you return. Plus, unplugging certain appliances minimizes risks from electrical surges and malfunctioning electronics and can even save you money on your energy bill.
Refrigerator and Freezer Preparation
Short trips usually don’t require shutting off the refrigerator and freezer — however, longer vacations may warrant emptying them and powering them down.
If you decide to leave the refrigerator running, make sure you use or discard any highly perishable items that will expire while you’re away, check the temperature settings, and ensure the doors seal properly. If you decide to turn the refrigerator off, you should remove all the food, unplug it, clean the interior, let it dry thoroughly, and leave doors slightly open to prevent mold growth and odors.
Dishwasher Preparation
Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher while you’re away — this is a recipe for mold growth. Once all the dishes have been washed, empty the dishwasher and leave the door slightly open. The airflow will help prevent mildew and musty odors.
Oven and Range Preparation
Before you leave, make sure the burners are off, the oven is powered down, and any timers or delayed cooking settings have been disabled. It’s also a good idea to remove grease and food residue so you don’t come home to odors or mold. For additional peace of mind, you can also unplug the oven.
Washing Machine and Dryer Preparation
It’s a good idea to shut off the water valves to your washing machine before leaving on vacation. Washer hoses are a common source of household flooding, so eliminating this risk is essential. You should also leave the door or lid open — especially if your washer is front-loading — to prevent moisture from getting trapped inside and causing mold and growth.
Don’t forget about your dryer. Clean out the lint trap to reduce the risk of fire and check behind and around the dryer for excess lint, obstructions or damaged vent connections. You can also unplug the dryer to reduce the risk of an electrical surge.
Additional Pre-Vacation Preparation Tips
Before your vacation, unplug all nonessential small appliances, including coffee makers, toasters, air fryers, and blenders. This protects your electronics during storms or utility disruptions. You can also choose to unplug large appliances, such as the oven or dryer.
Additionally, if your home will be vacant for an extended period of time, consider shutting off the water supply — if not to the whole home, then at least to the water dispenser/ice maker, dishwasher, and washing machine. This prevents the water lines from leaking or failing while you’re gone, protecting your home from appliance-related flooding.
Smart Appliance and Monitoring Options
If you travel frequently, it might be worth it to invest in smart home systems that notify you when a leak is detected, the power goes out, or there are significant temperature changes. Smart refrigerators and thermostats often allow remote status checks, as well. When you have these systems in place, you can enjoy your vacation instead of worrying about what’s going on with your home while you’re away.
Signs an Appliance Needs Attention Before You Leave
It’s never a good idea to ignore appliance problems, especially before a vacation. Unresolved issues can worsen while you’re away, creating safety hazards. If you notice any of these signs, make sure you call the experts at Appliance E.M.T. for help before you leave:
- Leaks or puddles
- Strange noises
- Inconsistent cooling or heating
- Burning smells
- Electrical issues
Trust the Experts at Appliance E.M.T.
At Appliance E.M.T., we want to help homeowners in Weber and Davis counties keep their home appliances running smoothly. If you’re preparing to leave on a vacation, take the time to prepare your appliances, too — and if you encounter any issues, give us a call, and we’ll be there to help as soon as possible.
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