Vacation Home Prep: Refrigerator Use and Kitchen Drain Plugging

Homeowners preparing for a vacation should decide whether to keep the refrigerator running based on the length of their absence. For short trips of a few days to a week, most manufacturers advise leaving the fridge on, possibly adjusting settings or using a built‑in “vacation” mode, and ensuring the door seals properly. If the house will be empty for several weeks and the fridge is emptied, it can be switched off after thorough cleaning, defrosting, drying, and leaving the doors slightly ajar to prevent mold and odors.

Plugging kitchen drains before leaving is generally unnecessary because a properly functioning siphon retains water that blocks sewer gases. Plugging may offer a minor benefit during very long absences by slowing water evaporation in the trap, but the recommended practice is to clean the drains and run water to keep the siphon filled. Overall, thorough cleaning and following manufacturer instructions are the most effective ways to safeguard appliances and plumbing during a vacation.