Home Emergencies Happen When You’re Away: Let Home Watch Handle It.

Leaving your home for an extended period for a work assignment or vacation can evoke a sense of excitement. However, along with the anticipation of your travels, you must think about the potential risks your home may face in your absence. From a break-in to a plumbing failure, a myriad of emergencies can occur that can threaten the safety and security of your property. In this post, we’ll look at some of the types of home emergencies that can happen when you’re away and how a Home Watch professional can help protect your family home when you’re not there.

Types of Home Emergencies and how Home Watch Can Handle It

Burglary or Break-In

An unoccupied home can be an attractive target for intruders.

Home Watch: Our immediate priority if we discover a burglary or break-in at a client’s home is to ensure the property’s safety. Our first step is to contact the appropriate authorities, such as the police, to report the incident and request assistance. They will investigate and document the event, gather evidence, and perhaps even apprehend the perpetrators.

Your Home Watch professional will cooperate fully with authorities to provide any relevant information and assistance. They will also take steps to secure the property, such as boarding up broken windows or doors, and taking photographs to document the event for insurance purposes.

Fire, Gas Leaks or Water-Related Emergencies

Electrical malfunctions or other sources can lead to fires, and faulty appliances or damaged gas lines can lead to the release of hazardous gases, posing a risk for a potential explosion. Burst pipes, appliance malfunctions or adverse weather conditions can cause leaks or flooding when you’re away leading to costly and extensive repairs due to water damage.

Home Watch: Your Home Watch professional monitors your home to specifically check for malfunctions to avert any fire, gas or water leak hazard. If anomalies are found, they will be dealt with immediately. If home emergency event should occur, your Home Watch professional will contact the appropriate authorities and take measures to protect your property from further harm. This may involve moving valuables to a safe location, securing entry points to prevent unauthorized access, and implementing temporary solutions to minimize ongoing risks such as organizing placing tarps over affected areas.

HVAC Malfunction

When the HVAC system isn’t working, problems can occur with uncomfortable temperatures or indoor air quality issues.

Home Watch: Upon identifying the HVAC malfunction, your Home Watch professional will check thermostat settings and that the system is receiving power. They will also inspect air filters to determine if they are dirty or clogged. If the malfunction continues, your Home Watch professional will contact HVAC technicians to conduct an inspection and diagnosis, and engage them to correct the issue, with the homeowner’s direction.

While awaiting assistance, your Home Watch professional may need to take interim measures to protect your property such as providing portable heaters or fans to maintain indoor temperature, especially during extreme weather conditions.

Power Outages

When the power goes out, your home could be subject to a security breach. Or food in your refrigerator could spoil and develop harmful bacteria without your knowledge.

Home Watch: Once the extent of the power outage is understood (is it just this home or the entire neighborhood?) your Home Watch professional will check your electrical panels and circuit breakers to identify any tripped breakers or blown fuses that may have caused the internal outage. They will then attempt to reset the electrical system. If this does not remediate the problem, your Home Watch professional may contact the utility company to report the outage. In the meanwhile, all efforts to secure the property will be taken, including checking locks on doors and windows, and ensuring security cameras or surveillance systems are working properly. If the power has been out for a significant amount of time, your Home Watch professional may suggest disposing of food from your refrigerator and freezer.

Pest Infestations

Insects, rodents or other pests may invade your home when it’s unoccupied, causing damage and health hazards.

Home Watch: When faced with a pest infestation, your Home Watch professional will develop a pest management plan that may include preventive measures, contacting professionals, treatment methods and ongoing monitoring.

See our related post: Bees in the Walls!

Natural Disasters and Storm Damage

Natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and even earthquakes happen here in Northern Virginia and can cause damage to your home’s exterior or structure.

Home Watch: When disasters occur, swift action is required to prevent further harm. Once the damage has been assessed, your Home Watch professional will prioritize safety by securing hazards posed by fallen trees or branches and identify damage to the home such as roof leaks or broken windows. Your Home Watch professional can coordinate with tree removal specialists and arrange for clean-up and restoration on your behalf.

Communication with Clients is Key for Home Emergencies

In all emergency instances, communication with the homeowner is paramount. Your Home Watch professional will keep you informed about the situation, including actions taken and any developments. Clear and timely communications help reassure you and allow you to make informed decisions about next steps, such as coordinating repairs or filing insurance claims.

After the immediate threat has been addressed and the situation is stabilized, your Home Watch professional will continue to monitor your property for any lingering issues or other potential hazards. By staying vigilant and proactive they can help ensure your property is fully secure to minimize the emergency’s impact on you, the homeowner.

Let Golden Rule Home Watch Help Mitigate Home Emergencies in Northern Virginia

At Golden Rule Home Watch & Concierge, our primary goal is to ensure the safety, security and well-being of our Northern Virginia clients’ properties to give you peace of mind while you’re away.

We conduct regular inspections of your property, both inside and out, to identify any potential issues or concerns. We meticulously check for signs of damage, wear or irregularities that may require attention. If home emergency issues are found, we respond swiftly and decisively to address the situation. Our team is well-trained to handle various emergencies, and we take immediate action to mitigate the emergency, contact emergency services, secure the property, and coordinate repairs or restorations as needed.

Let us tailor our services to meet your specific needs and preferences. Contact Golden Rule Home Watch & Concierge for Home Watch or any of our additional services like Key Holder, Car Watch or Concierge services.