While having a vacation property during the peak season is incredibly beneficial, it can be a bit burdensome as the season comes to an end. There are many steps you may need to take to ensure your space is prepared to be left vacant for several months. The list of things to do to prepare your vacation home for the off-season seems never-ending. 

Whether you are winterizing your home or you’re going to be away for the summer, it is important that you prepare your vacation home for the off-season. At Liberty Restoration, our team understands just how important is it to care for your home properly before leaving. Without proper preparation, you may return to a home disaster that could have been completely avoidable. 

If you are trying to prepare your vacation home for the off-season, keep reading to see what our team recommends doing before you leave. 

How to Prepare Your Vacation Home for the Off-Season

1. Remove Old Food

Whether you are packing up the food you didn’t eat or throwing out the expired stuff sitting in the back of your cabinet, it is important that you remember to remove old food as you prepare your vacation home for the off-season. Leaving old food in your home can result in several different problems. First, this food may expire, leaving a pungent odor in the space that is difficult to remove.

Second, leaving food out on the counter or in easy-to-reach cabinets may result in a pest infestation. If you want to avoid coming back to your vacation home only to find that it is smelly and full of ants, mice, rats, and other pests, it is best to address this food before you leave. While you may want to leave some baking soda in the fridge to absorb any lingering odors, the rest of the space should be empty. 

2. Turn Off Your Water

As you prepare your vacation home for the off-season, it is important that you remember to turn off the water at all of its intake points. Water enters your home at various points, including lines leading to your furnace or air conditioner, washing machine, and dishwasher. Make sure these are all closed to prevent more water from being pulled in while you’re away. 

If you don’t turn off your water, you may be in for a terrible surprise when you return. These unattended devices may experience a leak while you’re gone, leading to substantial water damage to your home. In the winter, these water lines may even freeze, leading to burst pipes. If you want to protect your space from unexpected water damage, stop it in its tracks by turning the water off ahead of time. 

3. Unplug Unnecessary Electronic Devices

While you might not realize it, your electronic devices can pose a significant risk to your vacation property if they are left plugged in all off-season. If your electronics are plugged into an outlet that overheats, you may experience an electrical fire. In just a few short seconds, this can go from a tiny spark to an irreparable disaster.

To prepare your vacation home for the off-season, make sure to unplug any unnecessary electronic devices from their outlets. Televisions, computers, and non-essential smart home devices should be unplugged before you leave. By unplugging these devices, you can protect your home from otherwise avoidable fire damage. 

4. Check Your Sump Pump

Before you leave your home for the season, double-check that your sump pump is working properly. Your sump pump is responsible for moving water from your basement and away from your home. If this device isn’t working, you may find water pooling in the lowest portions of your vacation home. With this flooding, you may experience water damage and mold growth. 

As your vacation home sits vacant, mold will continue to grow, spreading into portions of your home that hadn’t previously been affected by the flooding. To prepare your vacation home for the off-season and avoid the spread of mold, it is best to ensure this device is working properly before you pack up and head home. 

5. Check Window Caulking

If you want to ensure your home is as energy-efficient in the off-season as possible, you should double-check your window caulking before you leave. Properly sealed windows can protect your space from cold or warm air infiltration. Inadequate window caulking may result in cool or warm air leakage, which can result in a sky-high energy bill every month. 

This high energy bill can make it difficult to justify keeping your vacation home, as it becomes too costly to keep when you’re away. Before you pack up for the end of the season, double-check that there is no loose caulking around your window and make any necessary repairs to keep your property sealed all off-season long. 

Repair Damage to Your Vacation Home with Liberty Restoration

No matter how much you try to prepare your vacation home for the off-season, some damage is simply unavoidable. Whether you’ve experienced a wildfire, flood, or break-in, our team at Liberty Restoration is here and ready to help. With years of experience helping homeowners across Utah recover from a variety of damage, our team is confident that we can do the same for you.

From mold remediation to board-up services, asbestos abatement, and more, our team provides a variety of services to help you recover from whatever disaster you’ve experienced. If you have recently dealt with a home disaster and want to speak to a member of our team about our restoration services, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today for support. 

As the threat of wildfires looms over many regions across the United States, homeowners and communities are increasingly turning to preventative measures to keep their space safe. One incredibly crucial aspect of preparedness is the use of board-up services for wildfires. But what are board-up services, and how do they benefit your home?

Board-up services are an incredibly reliable way to keep your home safe from wildfires while you are away. But these services offer so much more to home and business owners than they might realize. 

At Liberty Restoration, we understand how intimidating wildfires can be, especially when they threaten your home. There are many ways to keep your home safe, but often board-up services are your best line of defense. If you want to learn more about how board-up services protect your home against damage caused by wildfires, keep reading to learn about the benefits. 

What are Board-Up Services? 

Board-up services involve securing your home or business by covering openings like windows and doors with protective materials. These materials create a barrier to shield the property from things like bad weather, intruders, wildfires, and other dangers. These services are often employed in emergency situations to strengthen buildings and prevent further damage. 

Many professionals who provide board-up services use fire-resistant materials for added protection. Board-up services are also a great way to protect vacant and foreclosed properties from unauthorized access, vandalism, and weather damage. Professionals handle this installation quickly and efficiently, ensuring the property is safe and secure. 

Understanding the Threat of Wildfires

Wildfires pose a significant threat to your home, presenting a combination of destructive elements that can quickly consume an entire community. The primary danger lies with the heat generated by the flames. This heat can compromise the structural integrity of your home, making it unsafe or impossible to reside in your home. 

Embers carried by the wind over long distances during a wildfire become a risk as well, igniting new fires in their path. As these embers are carried by the wind, they may land on your home and leave you at risk of fire spreading throughout your space. Finally, the rapid spread of wildfires, fueled by dry conditions and wind, leaves minimal time for residents to evacuate. 

This threat is exacerbated by the potential for flying debris and the release of toxic smoke, which can contribute to the destruction of your home. To keep your home, it is essential that homeowners have preventative measures in place to protect their property. If you are considering preventative measures, board-up services for wildfires are a great way to keep your home safe. 

How Professional Board-Up Services for Wildfires Can Save Your Property

1. Ember Protection

Board-up services for wildfires are an essential step to protect your home against embers. By covering windows and doors with fire-resistant materials, these board-up services create a barrier that prevents embers from entering your home and prevents them from causing more damage. These protective measures also shield against fires starting within your home. These specialized materials act as a vital defense against embers, making board-up services for wildfires a necessary step to take if one has developed near you. 

2. Structural Integrity

In addition to ember protection, board-up services for wildfires play a critical role in protecting your home’s structural integrity. These services secure windows, doors, and other vulnerable openings with fire-resistant materials, creating a protective barrier. By reinforcing access points, board-up services for wildfires prevent further damage to the building’s structure. This ensures a more secure property and contributes to a smoother recovery process after the wildfire dies down. If you want to be able to safely enter your home, scheduling board-up services is essential. 

3. Peace of Mind 

Board-up services for wildfires provide homeowners with invaluable peace of mind. These services add a layer of protection against the unpredictable nature of wildfires. Knowing that your home is fortified by fire-resistant materials gives you a sense of reassurance amid the chaos. In the face of a wildfire’s uncertainty, board-up services for wildfires serve as a first step in preparedness. Homeowners can trust that they’ve done all they can to keep their homes safe while they are keeping their loved ones safe. 

4. Quick Installation

One of the most significant benefits of professional board-up services for wildfires is the swift and efficient installation. Trained professionals have the expertise and resources to quickly secure your property with fire-resistant materials. Their speed in situations like this is absolutely essential. Attempting to do this yourself can be time-consuming and may expose your property to heightened risk. It also puts you at risk of respiratory distress due to smoke exposure. Focus on packing your most prized possessions and allow the professionals to take care of boarding up your home.  

Board-Up Services After a Fire

While you may do all you can to protect your home, wildfires are often incredibly unpredictable. In the case of fast-moving wildfires, mixed with extreme weather, you may not be able to schedule board-up services in time, and you might find yourself dealing with damage afterward. In this situation, it’s still important to schedule board-up services. 

These services can protect against any further damage while you wait for additional restoration services. This step not only protects your home’s structural integrity but also minimizes safety hazards, ensuring a safe environment for residents. Quick installation is essential for post-fire recovery, allowing homeowners to begin the path toward fire restoration.  

Liberty Restoration – One Stop for Wildfire Protection and Restoration

Whether you need board-up services for wildfires or to close off a vacant or foreclosed lot, our team at Liberty Restoration is your most reliable resource for restoration and protective services. With years of experience helping homeowners across Utah protect their homes from a variety of disasters, we’re confident that we can quickly install protective materials to keep your home safe. From fire restoration services to flood clean-up and much more, our team does it all. If you’re dealing with a wildfire near you or would like to protect a property while it is vacant, contact our team today to schedule installation.