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Going on holiday? Don’t leave without doing your maintenance homework

Summer is here and so is the desire to escape from the heat. For most of us, this means leaving home for weeks, or often months, at a time. Many people often neglect important maintenance procedures to keep their homes safe while they’re away.

Sean Blaikie is the operations manager at mplus+, a maintenance solutions company in the UAE. He says, “We get too excited packing and looking forward to our vacation that we suddenly ignore the home that we are about to leave empty.”

According to Sean, most of us assume that it will only take a couple of hours to get everything in order before we run out the door. On the contrary, we should spend a few days, or even weeks, to go over maintenance details in order to minimise possible problems while we’re away.

He advises coming up with a checklist that covers everything from minor maintenance issues to making sure that pets are in good hands.

Keep cool 

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Leaving the air-conditioning on while on vacation is a common source of debate. Sean recommends it, though. “It’s all right to keep the A/C on, either on thermostat or manually set on a higher than normal temperature. Leave all the doors inside the house open to ensure circulation so you don’t return to a stuffy furnace.

“This helps prevent the formation of mould and condensation, and even helps protect flooring, doors and surfaces made of materials such as wood, which tend to be easily affected.”

If you live in a villa, why not buy an A/C with a set-timer function? This way you can pre-programme the on/off time, which can minimise power consumption.

Curtain call

Close all curtains and blinds to protect your home from the sun and help keep it cool. Make sure that all windows and doors are sealed well and free from cracks to prevent water or dust from seeping in.

Secure your house by installing locks on doors and windows – this includes tiny windows in the bathroom. How about installing security cameras with software that can be connected to a mobile device for peace of mind? Check out Etisalat’s home monitoring camera for AED 335. Contact: www.etisalat.ae or browse www.souq.com 

Power play 

“Another common mistake is forgetting to switch off the water heater and other appliances such as the microwave, television and sockets that are not in use.

Even though the device may not be switched on, it’s important to unplug it or switch off the main power as the device still continues to draw on energy, which can increase your electricity bill,” Sean explains.

And don’t forget to turn off all the lights. If they are really needed, buy energy-efficient bulbs to save on electricity.

Fridge benefits

Emptying out the refrigerator of all perishable food is essential when going away. If you’re in for a longer holiday (more than a week), it is advisable to turn it off altogether.

“When unplugging, make sure all items are emptied out and the freezer is thoroughly defrosted.

Leaving the fridge door open helps keep it dry and prevent mould or stench,” advises Sean.

Inside job

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Bring balcony, porch or garden furniture inside. Leaving it exposed to sunlight – or in our case, sandstorms – can damage the items. If you don’t have space indoors, consider getting a cover for your furniture. Grab one from Carrefour starting from AED 59. Contact: www.carrefouruae.com 

Garden fresh

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“If you have a garden or a backyard without a sprinkler, it would be worth investing in a soaker hose which leaks water through its porous surface, and is set on a timer. This helps keep the soil hydrated without any wastage of water, proving an environmentally friendly system,” says Sean. Get one at AED 49 from ACE Hardware. Contact: www.aceuae.com

Extra hand

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Before you jet off, ask a trusted friend or neighbour to collect your mail or newspaper. A heap of paper on the doorstep gives intruders a hint that no one’s home. That pal can also look after your pets while you’re away and just do a general check of the house to make sure there are no major issues.

Ferdinand Godinez

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