Winter travel is exciting—but leaving your home unattended during cold weather introduces serious risks. Frozen pipes, appliance leaks, electrical failures, and storms can cause extensive damage when no one is home to catch problems early. This guide outlines what homeowners should do before leaving and how Fortivo Property Services can help protect your property.
Why Is Winter Travel Risky for Homeowners?
When your home sits empty, small issues can escalate into major disasters.
Common risks while you’re away:
- Frozen or burst pipes
- Leaking water heaters, washing machines, or toilets
- Furnace failures causing dangerously low indoor temperatures
- Fire hazards from lights, cords, or aging outlets
- Roof or window damage from winter storms
- Slow leaks that lead to widespread mold growth
What homeowners should do:
- Inspect plumbing, heating, and appliances before leaving.
- Ensure your home is sealed, heated, and monitored.
- Follow a structured travel-prep checklist.
How Fortivo Property Services can help:
- Provide pre-travel home safety inspections.
- Identify winter vulnerabilities before you leave.
- Offer emergency response if damage occurs while you’re away.
What Should You Do With Your Water Supply Before Leaving for Several Days?
Shutting off your main water line is the single most effective way to prevent holiday water disasters.
What homeowners should do:
- Locate and turn off the main water shutoff valve.
- Open a faucet afterward to relieve pressure.
- If your home uses fire sprinklers, consult a professional before shutting off water.
Why it matters:
- Prevents thousands of gallons of water from flooding your home.
- Reduces risk of mold growth and structural deterioration.
How Fortivo Property Services can help:
- Assist with identifying plumbing vulnerabilities before you leave.
- Provide fast water extraction if a leak or burst occurs.
- Dry affected materials to prevent mold and further damage.
How Can Smart Leak Sensors Protect Your Home While You’re Away?
Smart monitoring devices alert you in real time if something goes wrong.
What homeowners should do:
Place sensors in high-risk locations, such as:
- Under sinks
- Near water heaters
- Behind washing machines
- At sump pump pits
- Near basement windows
Why it matters:
- Instant alerts let you act quickly—even from thousands of miles away.
- Early detection prevents expensive structural and electrical damage.
How Fortivo Property Services can help:
- Recommend the best sensor locations for your home layout.
- Respond immediately if a leak, freeze, or sump failure occurs.
- Perform moisture mapping to determine how far water spread.
🌡️ What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat To Before Holiday Travel?
Incorrect thermostat settings cause more frozen pipes than most homeowners realize.
What homeowners should do:
- Set the thermostat to no lower than 55°F.
- Enable “vacation mode” if available.
- Install a smart thermostat for low-temperature alerts.
- Have your furnace serviced before peak winter weather.
Why it matters:
- Maintaining consistent heat prevents frozen and burst pipes.
- Reduces stress on your HVAC system during extreme cold.
How Fortivo Property Services can help:
- Inspect areas where pipes are most vulnerable.
- Assist with drying and restoration after pipe bursts.
- Coordinate repairs for HVAC-related moisture issues.
💡 How Can You Reduce Electrical Risks Before Leaving for Your Trip?
Electrical issues and holiday décor are a major cause of winter house fires.
What homeowners should do:
- Unplug nonessential electronics.
- Turn off holiday lights before departing.
- Use surge protectors for sensitive devices.
- Inspect cords and outlets for wear.
Why it matters:
- Prevents fires that can ignite while no one is home.
- Reduces strain on circuits during cold-weather electrical loads.
How Fortivo Property Services can help:
- Provide fire damage cleanup if an incident occurs.
- Handle smoke, soot, odor removal, and structural repairs.
- Assist with insurance documentation.
🪟 How Can You Protect Your Home Against Winter Storms While You’re Away?
Storms can cause leaks, broken windows, and cold air infiltration.
What homeowners should do:
- Lock all windows and doors securely.
- Seal gaps or drafts.
- Clean gutters before traveling.
- Test your sump pump to ensure it’s functioning.
- Arrange for someone to check your home after major storms.
Why it matters:
- Prevents stormwater intrusion and foundation moisture.
- Protects against ice dams and roof leaks.
How Fortivo Property Services can help:
- Provide emergency roof tarping or window board-up services.
- Extract stormwater and begin drying immediately.
- Repair moisture-damaged structural components.
🧳 Why Should You Ask Someone to Check on Your Home While You’re Away?
A trusted friend or neighbor can prevent small issues from becoming major disasters.
What homeowners should ask them to do:
- Verify heat is working.
- Look for leaks under sinks or on ceilings.
- Check electrical panels after storms.
- Confirm power and sump pump operation.
How Fortivo Property Services can help:
- Offer a point-of-contact for neighbors if they spot a problem.
- Dispatch emergency crews immediately when notified.
🛠️ What Should You Do If You Return Home to Water, Fire, or Storm Damage?
Taking immediate action minimizes long-term damage and improves insurance outcomes.
What homeowners should do first:
- Stay safe—avoid entering flooded or fire-damaged areas.
- Shut off electrical breakers if water is present.
- Document all visible damage.
- Call your insurance provider.
- Contact a restoration professional immediately.
How Fortivo Property Services can help:
- Provide 24/7 emergency mitigation.
- Extract water and perform structural drying.
- Conduct moisture mapping to locate hidden damage.
- Prevent mold growth.
- Clean up fire, smoke, or storm damage.
- Coordinate directly with insurance to streamline your claim.
🎄✨ How Can You Enjoy Your Holiday Trip With Peace of Mind?
With the right preparation, you can travel confidently knowing your home is protected.
What homeowners should do:
- Follow this full travel-prep checklist.
- Install monitoring tools for leaks, temperature, and power loss.
- Ensure plumbing, heating, and roofing are in good winter condition.
How Fortivo Property Services supports you:
- Optional pre-travel home assessments to catch risks early.
- 24/7 emergency response if anything goes wrong.
- Complete restoration and rebuild services to make recovery stress-free.
With proper planning—and Fortivo Property Services on your side—you can focus on enjoying your holiday trip while we protect what matters most at home.
How Fortivo supports you:
- Provide preventive seasonal inspections.
- Respond 24/7 to water, fire, mold, or structural emergencies.
- Manage restoration from initial mitigation through full rebuild.
- Deliver white-glove service that keeps your operations running and your occupants safe.
Fortivo Property Services stands ready to partner with property managers throughout the fall and winter seasons. Whether you’re preventing issues—or responding to an unexpected emergency—we’re here to protect your building, your occupants, and your business continuity.
Fortivo Is Here to Help Restore and Protect Your Home
Fall should be a season of comfort—not catastrophe. By taking preventive steps and staying aware of fire risks, you can enjoy the season safely. If fire or smoke damage does occur, Fortivo Property Services is ready to respond with expert restoration solutions to protect your home and peace of mind.
About the Author
Scott Futrovsky, CEO of Fortivo Property Services, has dedicated his career to helping families safeguard their homes from fire, water, and structural hazards. With a background in law, corporate consulting, and property restoration, Scott offers guidance rooted in real-world experience and certified training.
