Before you leave home do you?

BobnBev · Senior Member

Before you leave home do you?

Happywanderer · The Master

Now thats interesting BobnBev. Some of those I will do. I will turn off all switches so nothing is left on standby like the digital TVs. I will totally empty out fridge and freezer, clean it out and leave door open. Hang a folded teatowel over the door so they can't close.
I won't be turning the power off at the mains as the smoke alarm being fixed to the power will go Beep, Beep, Beep the whole time I'm gone.
Have never heard of the toilet one, If it dries out why will it fill the house with gas??
Will stop the paper and have the mail redirected to my daughters.
Don't think I will have to do anything else.
Interesting thought to remember.

BobnBev · Senior Member

I smile HW. have you not heard of sewergas, not the systen drying out. the bowl will dry out and alow the not so nice smell to come up, and flys to come in as well, even on a sepetic system.... thats fine if you dont ask how will you know ....

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks BnB, Haven't had it happen to me so had no idea.

Cruising Granny · Guru

If you're on good terms with your neighbours it's a good idea to advise them of your plans and to share mobile phone and email addresses so they can contact you of any changes in the neighbourhood which may require you to return or make arrangements.
If not the neighbours, then if you have family and/or close friends nearby, you should trade that information with them.
I guess the toilet seal is about the methane which could come up from the sewerage pipes or septic tank.
Depending on the length of time you'll be away, make arrangements to pay your bills on line or by phone if you haven't been doing it before.
Relax and have a great trip.

ozi2 · Guru

BobnBev wrote:

Turn off the power, turn off the water, and gas, fill a rubish bag with water and put it in the toilet pan to stop it drying out and filling the house with gas, have the lawn mowing fixed, stop the paper and mail, put a batt, operated light to turn on and of at night.. leave the fridge open a little. make sure the garbage bin is empted and left that way.. Leave a message on the phone that you will get back to them tonight.. or off the hook.. what have I missed ??

Hi BobnBev, for me its a no junk mail sign and no door traders sign....and replace the fire alarm battery.
cheers,
ozi2

Gerty Dancer · Guru

We dont do any of that as we get house-sitters in... but we would certainly put in a burglar alarm system if leaving the house empty.

Enjoy your trip!

jimricho · Guru

A few good suggestions there to add to the checklist. I have a good arrangement with my neighbours. I also make extensive use of direct debits for the regular bills and credit card payments. Mail is redirected to my next of kin who lives nearby.

lyn-n-ken · Senior Member

hi all
well gee i'm gald i don't have a house to leave behind
what a worry
lyn

wendyv · Guru

If you don't want to turn off mains water (if we don't have housesitters, a neighbour fills bird baths, waters pot plants etc), at least make sure your washing machine taps are turned off, ditto dishwasher, and also the toilet cistern taps. I once had a washing machine pipe burst when I was at work and that cured me of leaving those taps on when machine not in use.

DellieMay · Senior Member

Geeeeeeeeezzzzz .........I must be a lazy bugger!!!!!
Cheers Dellie

tonyd · Guru

Like Wendyv, we had a washing machine hose come off at night. Luckily my wife was up for a toilet break about 3am and was surprised (and suddenly awakened!) by stepping into water in the corridor. Carpet in two rooms replaced under insurance. I now turn the washing machine taps off after every use. Small thing but important. We could have been away on a two-week trip! Cheers, Tony

Cruising Granny · Guru

I'm glad I don't have a house to lock up when I hit the road.
Another reason I prefer van living full time.
Safe and happy travels.

Sheba · Guru

Everything not being used at the time is always switched off at the wall, including 'puter.

Washing machine taps are always switched off after washing is finished.

Nothing is ever left on, on "standby".

Lights are switched off immediately they are no longer need on.

The only thing on continually, is the Fridge, and when needed, extra freezer.

You'd be amazed at how much you save on Power bills.

Cheers,
Sheba.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I have a Telstra phone - and forward my calls from the home phone to my mobile - makes life easy - never miss a call.

landy · Guru

Hi BobnBev. Hope you do not mind me changing the subject of your post but I am verry interested in your rig.( please say if I am doing the wrong thing) We have bought a Land Rover defender TD5 duel cab fitted with second fuel tank and water tank ready for touring, and we are now looking for a large van. Can you tell us what the wieght of your van is and how well the disco pulls it? also what sort of fuel consumption you get? We bought the vehicle because it is rated to carry 1.5 tons and pull 3.5 tons but have no idea how it will be with a big load on. confuse

Happy traveling Landy

-- Edited by landy on Wednesday 2nd of March 2011 06:32:30 PM

Delta18 · Guru

jules47 wrote:

I have a Telstra phone - and forward my calls from the home phone to my mobile - makes life easy - never miss a call.

That is fine, as long as you are aware that YOU pay for the mobile call from your landline to your mobile, even the spam, cold call selling / spam calls.

Happywanderer · The Master

Jules, does it cost much and who pays for the calls to be transferred from your home phone to you mobile? And how do you go about arranging it?

Edited after reading deltas post.

Oops should have read yours first Delta. So you as the owner of both phones pay extra to have them transferred?

-- Edited by Happywanderer on Wednesday 2nd of March 2011 08:32:11 PM

Smokeydk · Guru

Remember to notify your Insurance Company.your going away.....they dont like houses left unused

Delta18 · Guru

Hi Happy, to activate "call divert" just enter on your phone *21 phone number # to cancel the divert type #21# You (the account holder of the landline) will pay the the cost of the diverted portion of the call at the rate that you would normally pay to make a call to a mobile from that phone.

Telstra (or whichever carrier you use) love this feature as they get paid by the caller to connect the call to your house, then YOU pay to have the call forwarded to your mobile. Almost as good for them as the Voicemail where the caller pays to ring and leave a message, you pay to retrieve the call then you pay to return the call.

Cheers Neil

Happywanderer wrote:

Jules, does it cost much and who pays for the calls to be transferred from your home phone to you mobile? And how do you go about arranging it?

Edited after reading deltas post.

Oops should have read yours first Delta. So you as the owner of both phones pay extra to have them transferred?

-- Edited by Happywanderer on Wednesday 2nd of March 2011 08:32:11 PM

BobnBev · Senior Member

landy wrote:
Hi guys no worries, have sent you a PM,
Hi BobnBev. Hope you do not mind me changing the subject of your post but I am verry interested in your rig.( please say if I am doing the wrong thing) We have bought a Land Rover defender TD5 duel cab fitted with second fuel tank and water tank ready for touring, and we are now looking for a large van. Can you tell us what the wieght of your van is and how well the disco pulls it? also what sort of fuel consumption you get? We bought the vehicle because it is rated to carry 1.5 tons and pull 3.5 tons but have no idea how it will be with a big load on.
Happy traveling Landy

-- Edited by landy on Wednesday 2nd of March 2011 06:32:30 PM

landy · Guru

Thanks BobnBev sent PM reply. biggrin

Jazzin Around · Veteran Member

Yes I'm with you Lyn. I do have a rental unit upstairs in a block of units but having lived in the motorhome previously have most things paid by direct debit and get the mail sent on in 3kg express post bags once a month. Empty fridge and freezer and turn off all but the hardwired smoke alarms and save over $500 in power consumption every winter. Can't stay put even when I'm here in Tassie - on the road most of the time. Travelling folk are so interesting to talk to.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Hi Jazz'n... who sends your mail on?

Shaker · Member

Hi All

If you sell the house how do you get your mail sent on like rego

Cheers

jonathan · Guru

I have a son who is my forwarding address .. but he only forwards to me when I have a PO to send to .. and then its in a closed envelope as one unit ..

Jon

Happywanderer · The Master

Have heard a good idea is to get a PO Box (usually best if a smal town PO) Then periodically get the postmaster to send all mail on in a large envelope or post bag to a PO where you next intend to be. You would have to buy a few bags in advance and leave with them or send them some money occasionally.
If you still have your home and mail being delivered there, do the same with a friendly neighbour.

Beth54 · Guru

I've never heard of the toilet issue! confuse

I generally make sure everything but the fridge is turned off. It's so old, it may not start again! biggrin

I share the laundry with my landlord who lives upstairs, so don't bother turning off the taps.

I have some direct debits, and pay the others online, so I can do that while away.

But I pay my rent in cash, (his wish), so I'll transfer money to my daughters account and she will come over once a fortnight, pay the rent and collect my mail. (Landlord will hold mail).

If there's anything in the mail that looks important, she will open it and email or text me about it. (I'm expecting a hospital appointment.)

I did think about getting the mail re-directed to my daughters address, but the rent has to be paid anyway.

Happywanderer · The Master

Before I went away this time I emptied the fridge freezer, cleaned it out and left it open and turned off. They say it can save on a lot of power.
I redirected the mail to my daughter who txt me if anything important. Some mail I now receive on line like bank statements. Plus I pay all bills online fortnightly regardless anyway.
I came home early so had the redirection cancelled at no charge.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Sorry to go off topic

Quote:Beth54

But I pay my rent in cash, (his wish), so I'll transfer money to my daughters account and she will come over once a fortnight, pay the rent and collect my mail. (Landlord will hold mail).

I hope you get a receipt for your cash rent payment every fortnight.