Question About Being Away For Weeks At A Time..

Hey guys, question, when you're out 4-5 even 6 weeks at a time, what do you do about utilities, such as gas and water-Should I just turn them off and back on when I'm at home? I live alone and don't want to take a chance of having something happen with no one to let me know (i.e-water leaks, backed-up septic tank, etc)..also, what about mail? I'm blessed to have an excellent credit rating and nice house that everybody wants to sell for me so I get tons of junk mail from credit card companies and real estate agents..

I pay most all my bills online, I have a couple bill I pay through the mail but I just made copy's of a statement and brought envelopes and stamps and I just mail them at truckstops. Auto pay is also a good way to pay bills. But mostly I pay through my banks website.

I just re read your question, I don't know about utilities my girlfriend has been home since I left over a month ago.

Most of the time you can kill the water feed at or near the water heater. Turn that big beast off if your not home and save some Jack. If electric make sure no air in it before you turn the heaters back on. At least that will kill the hot side. If no main shutoff is found you could install on pretty cheaply. Get a ball valve. Work fine, last a long time.

I turn my water off at the water meter when I leave. Open all the faucets to make sure there is no pressure in the pipes and unplug the water heater . I set the AC to about 80 degrees.

My bills at home are base prices. $8 for water. $24 for gas. $43 for electronic. And that is for each month. I just pay everything online or have it setup as auto draft. Now the mail you will need someone to pick it up for you or have them take it inside the house. Mailbox gets to full they will stop delivering it till the mailbox has room. Maybe even return to sender on some if not careful.

Hello Gary,

I also have a similar situation. My post office will hold mail for me and I can set the hold up online. Just enter the dates and even select if I want them to deliver on a certain day or go down and pick it up myself. Most of your utility companies now days will offer to bill you online if you pay online to help keep some of the clutter down.

This time of year it is imperative my landscape gets water and the lawn in front is mowed so as not to look abandoned. I figure I will have to fork out the cost of having someone do that for me. I see this as a plus to have someone keeping an eye on the outside at least a couple times a month. I'm a little bummed but the many houseplants will be going to a new home. :-( The winter is when I will have the water shut off outside and as far as the inside, for me I'm not coming home to having to shovel snow out of the way to get it back on....so that means keeping the utilities up and running albeit on "vacation" mode. I am planning on lining up my neighbors with my contact info in the event of something tragic.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the Bludog until I can get him on board the truck. I'm currently in a private CDL school and have a bit of time to scope things out but darn if it isn't looking expensive.

Hope this helps and good luck with your endeavors!