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First time desert homeowners often don't know who to ask about prepping their home for a summer absence and often turn to neighbors or others. There are a bunch of old wives tales -- don't fall victim to them!
 Myth 1 -
"Turn your thermostat 'all the way up' or to it's highest setting" Thermostats should be set at a maximum of 85 degrees when you're gone. Why? Here are just three of the reasons:
1. If your house gets too hot the windows and sliders can crack or explode. Your toilet wax rings can melt (especially if the bathrooms are in a second story) which will eventually lead to leaks.
2. Running the AC keeps moisture in the air which protects your woods, art and other valuables from drying out.
3. The frequency of your AC kicking on can indicate whether you're home or not. Setting a thermostat too high is an immediate indication the home is empty which will entice vandals.
 Myth 2 - "Put buckets of water around your home" If your thermostat is set at 85 degrees, there will be adequate moisture in the home rendering the buckets unnecessary and you don't have to worry about a bucket leaking, drying up or an accidental spill when refilling.
 Myth 3 - "Turn off the water completely or turn off your washer water lines" Water is highly personal -- you can leave it on or turn it off, but it absolutely needs to be cycled -- preferable weekly. So if you're going to turn it off, be sure to engage someone (like Executive Errands®!) to check your home and cycle that water -- Here's why:
1. To keep the traps, gaskets, hoses and seals lubricated. If they dry out, they will crack, shrink or otherwise be damaged and will eventually leak.
2. Pests and rodents can access your home through dry traps.
3. Bacteria forms quickly in stagnant or uncirculated water including hot water heaters.
Myth 4 - "A home only needs to be checked every 3 to 4 weeks" Besides cycling water, checking for vandalism, monitoring your other services and a host of
checklist items, the primary reason for doing absentee home checks is to identify a problem at the first opportunity.
If there is water leaking in your home, it will be far less costly to remediate if the leak is only a week old. This holds true for wind damage, dying plants, doors left unlocked by other key holders, broken AC systems, broken refrigerators, vandalism and other security issues. It's amazing what can happen in as little as a week's time.
Leave the care of your home to professionals. It just makes  sense. The cost of weekly absentee home checks is minimal compared to the potential cost of a problem left undetected for weeks or months at a time.
Call Executive Errands Customer Service at
760.898.9604 or visit
our website at
www.executive-errands.com
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There are so many things to consider before leaving your home for the summer. The 
2. Have you changed your door locks or security alarm code over the winter? If so, we need to know and may need new keys!
6. Which home maintenance services do you need before the heat of summer gets here? AC service? Roof inspection for loose tiles or rodent access points? Pest control service? Pool equipment checks or upgrades? Adjustments to irrigation, pool and lighting timers?
10. Is there anything being left that should go to charity or the Foodbank or which should be otherwise disposed? We can facilitate both for you!
