Every summer, thousands of Dubai residents pack up and head home or off to cooler destinations. But leaving your apartment or villa empty during the hottest months of the year comes with real risks — heat buildup, humidity, bad odors, and appliance damage can all sneak up on you if your home isn't prepped properly before you leave.

Coming back to a musty apartment, a sewage smell in the bathroom, or a shocking DEWA bill is not the homecoming anyone wants. Here's a simple, practical checklist to protect your property while you're away.

1. Set Your AC Correctly — Don't Turn It Off Completely

It might seem like switching the AC off entirely will save money, but in Dubai's summer heat, this often backfires. Without any cooling, indoor temperatures and humidity rise quickly, creating ideal conditions for mold, mildew, and musty smells to develop on furniture, curtains, and walls.

Instead:

• Set your thermostat to around 26–27°C rather than switching it off
• Use the "Auto" or "Eco" mode if your system has one, so it runs efficiently instead of constantly
• In multi-level villas, running just the upper-floor unit can help keep the whole property reasonably cool, since cool air naturally sinks

2. Run Water Through Every Drain Before You Leave

This is one of the most overlooked steps — and one of the most important. Every sink, shower, and floor drain has a U-shaped section of pipe (a P-trap) that holds a small amount of water. That water acts as a seal, blocking sewer gases from rising into your home.

In Dubai's dry, air-conditioned environment, this water can evaporate within a couple of weeks of the drain going unused, letting sewer odors back into your home.

Before you leave:

• Run water through every drain — sinks, showers, and floor drains — for at least 30 seconds
• For trips longer than a month, add a small amount of cooking oil down each drain after running the water, to slow evaporation and keep the seal intact longer

3. Close Curtains, But Let Air Circulate Inside

Direct sunlight through uncovered windows can significantly raise indoor temperatures, forcing your AC to work harder than it needs to. Closing curtains and blinds — especially blackout ones — helps block that heat before it gets in.

At the same time, leave internal doors (including wardrobes) slightly open. This allows cooled air to move freely through the home instead of getting trapped in isolated rooms, which can create pockets of stagnant, humid air.

Before closing up, double-check that every window and balcony door is properly locked — even a small gap can let in enough hot air and dust to undo your AC's work.

4. Prep Your Fridge and Kitchen Appliances

Leftover food, even in the fridge, can spoil and leave lingering smells that are hard to get rid of.

• Empty your fridge and freezer completely, and wipe down the interior
• Unplug the fridge and prop the doors open — closing an unplugged fridge traps moisture and encourages mold
• Unplug other non-essential appliances (TV, kettle, toaster, microwave) to save energy and protect them from power surges
• Leave washing machine and dishwasher doors slightly open to prevent musty smells building up inside the drum

5. Do a Final Walkthrough Before You Head to the Airport

A quick final check can save you a lot of stress later:

• Check all taps for drips
• Empty all bins in the house
• Clear perishables from counters and cupboards
• Switch off the water heater at the wall if it's not needed
• Confirm all doors and windows are locked

6. What to Check When You Get Back

• Smell test: If there's a sewage odor, run water through the drains and flush toilets immediately — the smell should clear quickly
• AC check: Confirm it's still running and the home feels properly cool; look for leaks or condensation around indoor units
• Water damage: Inspect ceilings and walls near bathrooms and kitchens for signs of leaks
• Fridge check: If it was left running, confirm it's still cold and nothing has spoiled

Get Your Home Travel-Ready with Fix Up UAE

Preparing your home before summer travel doesn't need to be stressful — but if you'd rather have a professional handle the AC checks, drain maintenance, or plumbing inspection before you fly, Fix Up UAE can take care of it for you.

Established in 2004, Fix Up UAE has been providing trusted home maintenance and repair services across Dubai for over 22 years. Their certified technicians handle everything on this checklist and more — AC servicing, drain and plumbing checks, appliance inspections, and emergency repairs — for homes, villas, and apartments across Dubai.

Services relevant to your travel prep:

• AC servicing, cleaning, and gas checks before you leave
• Plumbing and drain inspections to prevent leaks or blockages while you're away
• Appliance checks and repairs
• 24/7 emergency support if something goes wrong while you're traveling

👉 Book a pre-travel home check with Fix Up UAE

📞 Call or WhatsApp: 0541854173 📍 City Walk Building - 10, Al Wasl, Dubai, UAE