The snow is falling in Madison, and you've booked your flight to somewhere warmer. Before you lock the door and head south for a few weeks—or even just a long weekend—your home needs more attention than just setting the alarm and stopping the mail.
Winter departures from Wisconsin present specific risks. Frozen pipes can burst, flooding your home while you're sipping margaritas in Arizona. Furnaces can fail, leaving your house exposed to subzero temperatures. Small leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water before you return.
Here's your comprehensive checklist for protecting your home's heating, plumbing, electrical, and drainage systems before any trip.
Heating System Preparation
Don't shut your heat off completely. Set your thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent frozen pipes while conserving energy. A furnace failure in January can cause catastrophic damage within hours when temperatures drop below zero.
Schedule a pre-trip inspection of your heating system. A technician can identify potential problems before they become emergencies. Check your furnace filter and replace it if needed—a clogged filter can cause system failure.
Consider installing a smart thermostat that sends alerts if your home temperature drops unexpectedly. This early warning can save you from returning to a disaster.
Plumbing Safeguards
Shut off your main water supply if you'll be gone for more than a week. This single step eliminates most flood risks. Once the water is off, open all faucets to drain remaining water from the lines.
Remove all garden hoses from outdoor spigots. Water trapped in connected hoses can freeze, expand, and crack the pipe inside your wall. Shut off outdoor water supplies from inside your home and drain exterior faucets.
Many Wisconsin municipalities now offer water usage monitoring apps. Sign up before you leave and check periodically for unusual consumption patterns that signal leaks. A running toilet can waste 200 gallons per day—you'll see that spike on your usage dashboard.
Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and garages. Foam pipe insulation costs less than twenty dollars and takes minutes to install.
Electrical System Review
Walk through your home and unplug non-essential electronics. This protects against power surges and reduces phantom energy consumption. Leave your refrigerator running, but consider emptying and unplugging a second fridge or freezer.
Check that your sump pump is working properly. Pour water into the pit to verify the pump activates. A battery backup system provides protection if you lose power during a storm.
Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Replace batteries if needed. These devices need to function while you're away.
Sewer and Drain Maintenance
Pour water down all drains, including rarely used sinks, tubs, and floor drains. This fills the P-trap—the curved pipe section that prevents sewer gases from entering your home. These traps can dry out during extended absences.
If you have a basement floor drain, consider adding a small amount of vegetable oil after filling the trap with water. The oil floats on top and slows evaporation.
Schedule a professional drain inspection if you've noticed slow drainage before your trip. A minor clog can worsen into a backup while you're away.
Emergency Preparedness
Leave your travel contact information with a trusted neighbor. Ask them to check your property every few days, looking for obvious problems like snow accumulation, ice dams, or signs of water damage.
Know who to call for emergencies. All Comfort Services provides 24/7 emergency availability for HVAC, plumbing, sewer & drain, and electrical issues. Save their number—(608) 838-7300—before you leave. When something goes wrong at 2 a.m. on a Sunday, you don't want to be searching for a contractor from another time zone.
Document your home's condition with photos before departure. This helps with insurance claims if problems occur.
Commercial Property Considerations
Property managers and business owners face additional responsibilities. Commercial HVAC systems require professional inspection before extended closures. Larger buildings need specific winterization procedures for multiple zones and mechanical rooms.
Commercial properties should have monitoring systems that alert you to temperature changes, water leaks, or equipment failures. The cost of monitoring is minimal compared to potential damage.
Before You Lock the Door
Run through this final checklist:
- Thermostat set to 55 degrees minimum
- Main water shut off (for trips over one week)
- Garden hoses disconnected and stored
- Outdoor water supplies closed and drained
- All drains filled with water
- Electronics unplugged
- Sump pump tested
- Smoke and CO detectors checked
- Emergency contacts confirmed
- Neighbor briefed
Schedule Your Pre-Trip Service
All Comfort Services has served the Madison area for over 50 years. Their technicians can inspect your furnace, check your plumbing, review your electrical systems, and ensure your home is protected before you leave.
Don't wait until the day before your flight. Schedule your pre-trip inspection now. Call (608)838-7300 or visit allcomfortservices.com to book an appointment. Their team works Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they're available 24/7 for emergencies.
Your vacation should be relaxing, not spent worrying about what's happening back home. Take an hour to prepare properly, and you'll enjoy your time away knowing your Madison property is protected.
Lee Enterprises newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content.
