An empty house can hide a small problem until it becomes a big one. Nobody hears the drip, nobody sees the water stain, and nobody notices the light that stopped working. That is the whole point of home watch: a trusted set of eyes on the property while you are away, and a report with photos after every visit.
Here are some of the things we have found on real visits, and why each one matters.
A leaking outdoor spigot
A hose bib that drips all day wastes water, runs up the bill and keeps the ground soaked against the foundation. With nobody home, it can go on for months. Most of the time the fix is quick, a new washer, packing or valve.
High water pressure
While we are at the spigot, we can check the household water pressure with a gauge. Pressure that runs too high is hard on supply lines, toilet fill valves and water heaters, and it is a common cause of leaks. Most plumbing codes call for a pressure-reducing valve when pressure is over 80 psi. If yours is high, we let you know and can bring in a licensed plumber for the regulator.
Leaks under the sink
Every visit includes a look under the sinks, around the toilets and at the water heater. A slow drip from a supply line or drain fitting can rot a cabinet floor and grow mold long before it shows up anywhere else.
Rotted fascia and other outside damage
On the exterior walk-around we look at doors, windows, the roof line, gutters, gates and the yard. A rotted fascia board like this one lets water and critters into the attic. Caught early, it is a small repair. Left alone through a monsoon season, it gets bigger.
A broken exterior light
A dark house looks like an empty house. Broken or burned-out exterior lights are an easy fix and one of the simplest ways to keep a vacant home from standing out.
Why it matters in Arizona
- Summer heat: if the AC fails, a closed-up house can climb past 100° inside
- Monsoon storms: wind, dust and heavy rain can damage the roof, gutters and yard, and power outages can trip breakers
- Hidden leaks: water heaters, supply lines and toilets can leak for weeks with nobody home to hear them
- Pests: scorpions, rodents and termites move in quickly when nobody is around
Many homeowner insurance policies also require someone to check on a vacant home regularly, so check your policy. Our dated visit reports give you a record that the home was looked after. And since we are handymen, we can usually fix what we find on the spot or schedule it with your OK. Learn more on our home watch page.
