If you're going to be away for a while, you'll take certain precautions to protect your home from thieves. The goal is to disguise the fact that you're away, so you might ask a neighbor to collect your mail, arrange to have your lawn mown, and perhaps put your lights on timers. But you may not only need to protect your home from robberies. Sometimes you also need to take steps to protect your home from itself.
Each Home Has Its Own Quirks
It can feel like your home has its own personality—a personality that becomes more eccentric as the years go by. You're already familiar with some of the quirks which need regular attention in your home. There might be one faucet that has a mind of its own and begins dripping at random times. There could be a patch of wall that's susceptible to mildew. There could also be part of your roof's eaves that needs to be regularly cleared of insect colonies. In any event, there's likely to be a list of things in your home that need to be monitored—which isn't going to happen while you're away.
Regularly Scheduled Inspections
This is where a local property watch association can enter the picture. It's a professional service that makes regularly scheduled inspections of your home while you're away. They're not looking for evidence of an attempted break-in, as this isn't a typical security service (although of course you will be informed if this unfortunate event was to happen). Instead, they're looking at the structure of your home.
What Happens During an Inspection
These scheduled checks simply involve a qualified inspector visiting your home, looking for indications of damage that may need urgent repair. This can include leaks, mold, insect infestation, and storm damage. If these issues go unnoticed, they can quickly escalate, causing significant (and extremely expensive) damage. This isn't something you want to discover once you arrive home after a long vacation. The inspection will look for general signs of damage, but you may wish to provide the property watch association with a list of areas that may need closer scrutiny. If damage is noted, you will be informed immediately, allowing you to remotely arrange any necessary repairs.
Having your vacant home inspected by a property watch association involves a reasonable fee, but you're paying for peace of mind—helping to ensure that when you get home, your place is exactly how you left it. For more information, contact a company like International Home Watch Alliance.
