Home care & seasonal
Going away? The ten-minute empty-home routine
Most holiday disasters at home are boring: a slow leak into an empty hall, a freeze while the heating is off, or an alarm that cries wolf for a week. Ten deliberate minutes at the door beats a fortnight of low-level dread.
By the Tickover team · Published 27 February 2026 · 2 min read
Before you lock the door
Decide water and heating policy
Short summer break: stopcock can stay open if everything is sound. Hard freeze risk: keep heat on ~12°C or drain down with advice — never guess on a complex system.
Run taps, then think leaks
No drips under sinks. Dishwasher and washing machine valves off if you will be gone more than a few days.
Unplug what you can
Especially anything with a heating element. Leave fridge/freezer on unless empty and defrosted.
Security walk
Windows latched, side gate bolted, valuables out of sight, spare keys not in the usual flowerpot.
Alarm set deliberately
Test it once. Tell neighbours if it is chatty. Know who holds a key if it screams.
Bins and post
Nothing advertising an empty house on the pavement for a week.
Tell someone local
A neighbour who will notice a cascade of water or a flashing alarm beats an app notification alone.
Photo meters (optional but smart)
Dated readings help if anything odd happens while you are away.
Winter absences pair with pipe freeze prevention. Alarms that misbehave have a false-alarm guide. Know the stopcock before you need a friend to use it.
Leaving well
Do
- Leave a key with someone you trust if the alarm or insurer needs it
- Keep heating on low in freezing forecasts
- Cancel or pause deliveries that pile up visibly
- Set lights on timers if you use them — randomly, not noon daily
Don’t
- Do not post real-time “off to the airport” on public socials
- Do not turn off the immersion and the heating and the stopcock without a plan
- Do not leave loft hatches sealed shut in a hard freeze if tanks live up there
- Do not ignore a neighbour’s text about water or alarms
House knowledge that travels
Keep stopcock location, alarm details and insurer numbers in Tickover so the person with your spare key is not guessing under a dripping ceiling.
Quick answers
Should I turn the water off when I go on holiday?
For a short trip in mild weather, many people leave the mains on if the plumbing is healthy. For longer absences, or if you have had leaks before, turning the stopcock off reduces risk. In freezing weather, prioritise keeping the house warm enough to protect pipes rather than draining systems you do not fully understand.
What temperature should I leave the heating on when away in winter?
Around 12°C is a common guide for unoccupied homes in freezing conditions, combined with open internal doors so heat can reach vulnerable rooms. Check your insurance policy for any stated requirements.
This guide is general information for UK homes, not advice about your specific property. Anything involving gas must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and notifiable electrical work by a qualified electrician. If you smell gas, call the National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999. If you’re ever unsure, stop and get a professional in — that’s exactly what Tickover is for.
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