Any tips for leaving my property for a year?

Hello. I’m used to that slight caravan smell when I return to my house each year, so, I’ve bought some dehumidifiers for each room, but I doubt they’ll do the trick for a whole year.

Any tips on whether I should leave the shutters open or closed when I leave? Windows open slightly? Any tips welcome.

Shutters down but leave the gaps inbetween and leave the windows slightly ajar. Don;t think you can do much else really. Have you got somebody to check on it weekly?

to stop drainage smells I cling film over the toilet bowl and shower plug and put all plugs in sink.

Put up with the smells and secure your house as much as possible. Defo agree with the cling film trick (don't forget when you first come back)

Do you know what causes the smells? You could try baking soda. Works wonders in smelly shoes. I assume it would works pouring some down the sink upon your return too.

The smells are from where the water evaporates down the pipes and the drain smells come up, don't have water traps or whatever they are called like the UK.

Steve wilkins wrote:Do you know what causes the smells? You could try baking soda. Works wonders in smelly shoes. I assume it would works pouring some down the sink upon your return too.

[quote="Chrisdee"]The smells are from where the water evaporates down the pipes and the drain smells come up, don't have water traps or whatever they are called like the UK.


Wouldn't the U bends on the sinks stop that though? Plugs and blocking the overflow are a good idea.

If you have a toaster then don't forget to empty it, all the crumbs in the bottom is a bit like finding a 24hr McDonalds to a cockroach

For drain smells, put a gallon of water in a bin bag and lay it over a shower drain, put one in the toiled and also one over the plug hole in sinks, also a bit of duct tape over the overflows. Personally we also leave the shutters down with light gaps and leave the windows slightly ajar. We are quite fortunate as we have three close by neighbors, who like us are permanent residents, so very very seldom are we all away. We all have keys for each others gates, it only takes 5 minutes to wander around to check on things.

Personally i would strongly recomend useing a key holding service with at least one inspection/maintenance vist a month,as a property maintenance person,i have seen this summer with people arriving after 18months most have had some sort of problem ie:- overgrown gardens,mold on interior walls,furniture,bedding due to lack of ventilation,storm damage,insect infestation,rodent problems.
With regards to drain smells this will be caused by ĺack of water passing through the system in your house,and that smell if allowed to continue will get into any soft furnishings,wardrobes,towels etc
All of this and more i have experienced this summer,so for anybody who is thinking of leaving their property closed up, for peace of mind think about a legal key holding service
Russell