Don't let your home freeze up, flood or get damaged while you're away. Take precautions such as winterizing and using timers. A trustworthy house sitter goes a long way.
Snowbirds are Alaskans who leave the state in the wintertime for some warmth and sun elsewhere, or it might be a couple of weeks to Hawaii to thaw out, get a tan, and eat fresh fruit. You'll return refreshed to face the remaining winter.
Still, you'll be abandoning the most expensive item you've ever bought - your home. It's a sobering thought to consider what disaster might happen if you don't take precautions.
To-do list
1. Winterize your plumbing
Turn off the water supply at the main valve to prevent potential leaks or bursts if pipes freeze.
Drain your pipes: Open the lowest faucets in your house (including outdoor spigots) and let the water drain completely. Flush toilets to remove water from the tank and bowl.
Use antifreeze: Pour environmentally safe antifreeze into all drains (sinks, tubs, toilets) to prevent any standing water from freezing.
Insulate pipes: Wrap any exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, or near exterior walls, with insulation sleeves or heat tape.
Consider hiring a professional: If you're unsure about winterizing your plumbing, hire a licensed plumber.
2. Ensure heating system preparedness
If you choose to leave the heat on, set it to at least 55°F, or higher further north, to prevent pipes from freezing.
Service your heating system: Have a professional inspect your furnace, boiler, or wood stove to ensure it's in good working order before leaving.
Prepare for power outages: Consider a backup generator to keep essential systems, like your heating system, running during power outages.
3. Address security
Make the house appear occupied by using timers for lights to create the illusion of someone being home.
Secure all entry points to ensure doors and windows are locked and consider security systems like alarms, cameras and motion-sensor lights
Inform the police department that the property will be vacant.
Arrange for a neighbor or friend to check on the property regularly and respond to emergencies.
4. Other important actions
Forward your mail if traveling for a long time away, or ask the post office to hold your mail if you'll be gone for a couple of weeks to a month.
Inform water, electricity, and gas providers of your absence.
Thoroughly clean the house and seal any potential entry points for pests. Check your foundation for cracks or holes where rodents can get in.
Most importantly, make sure your homeowner's insurance policy covers your property when vacant.
Known and unknown house sitters
Many Alaskans have friends or family stay in their home when they are gone, usually paying for the service.
Or there are agencies that vet house sitters to make sure they know what Alaska weather and other calamities can toss at home.
Trusted House Sitters offers people to take care of your home and pets, but you pay a membership fee and the sitter stays there for free.
See more at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/
There are other agencies, but this is the only one with a dedicated page for Alaska.
Alaksa Pet Nanny, based in Salcha, services Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright, North Pole, Moose Creek, Eielson Air Force Base, and Salcha. It's added out-of-service areas that come with additional fees - Fox, Pass 7 Mile, CHSR, Two Rivers, Pleasant Valley, Goldstream Valley, Ester, and parts of Chena Ridge.
They only service homes that are smoke-free for health reasons, and to ensure the safety of the dogs, are only accepting homes that have fenced-in backyards.
They are licensed, insured and bonded. https://www.alaskapetnanny.com/
Do check feedback and reviews of agencies from previous homeowners for a sense of how they are satisfied or unsatisfied.
