Winters in Fethiye and Seydikemer are generally mild, but they are wet and humid. At higher altitudes, frost can also occur on cold days. In an empty house, a small problem can turn into serious damage because nobody notices it for weeks. Going through the points below when you close the house at the end of the season lowers the chance of an unpleasant surprise in spring.
Water and plumbing
- Turn off the main stopcock. If you will be away for a long time, this is the simplest and most effective step. Even if a pipe or hose bursts, no water will flow.
- Switch off the water heaters. Turn off the electricity or gas to the instantaneous heater and the hot-water tank. Where frost is a risk, you may need to drain the water inside them.
- Watch the hoses. Close the taps feeding the washing machine and dishwasher; these hoses are among the parts that burst most often.
- Don't forget the booster pump (hydrophore) and water tank. Once the main stopcock is closed, switch off the pump's power too, so it does not run dry.
- Check outdoor plumbing. If garden taps and exposed pipes are at risk of frost, drain or insulate them.
Electricity and appliances
- Unplug appliances you don't need.
- Empty and clean the fridge, unplug it and leave the door ajar. A closed fridge develops smells and mould.
- If the alarm, cameras or internet need to stay on, keep only their circuits live and switch the rest off at the fuse box.
- Give the fuse box and circuit breakers a quick check.
Damp and ventilation
Damp is the most common problem in a closed house over winter. Stains on walls and ceilings, a musty smell in beds and sofas, and mould inside wardrobes are the signs.
- Leave wardrobe and drawer doors slightly open.
- Cover beds and sofas with protective covers if possible, but let them breathe.
- If you use a dehumidifier, someone needs to empty its tank regularly. Otherwise it does nothing.
- Plan visits to air the house at regular intervals.
Outside
- Turn off the garden irrigation system and disable the timer.
- Have the roof and gutters cleaned before the rains start. A blocked gutter sends water onto the facade and walls.
- Put away terrace furniture and light items.
- If you have a pool, don't forget its winter care and cover. For details, see the pool maintenance page.
Security and access
- Check the locks on doors, windows and shutters.
- Leave a spare key only with someone you trust, and keep a written record of it.
- Tell your complex's management or a neighbour that the house will be empty.
- Make sure your home and earthquake insurance policies are valid.
Frequently asked questions
Will turning off the main stopcock affect heating and air conditioning? Air conditioning is not affected. Water-based heating systems (combi boilers, underfloor heating) do need water. For these, check the manufacturer's or service company's recommendation first.
Why leave the fridge door open? Moisture left in a closed, unplugged fridge causes smells and mould. Emptying and cleaning it, then leaving the door ajar, prevents this.
Is a dehumidifier enough on its own? No. A dehumidifier stops working when its tank is full. In an empty house with nobody to empty it, its effect is limited; the real solution is to find the source of the damp and ventilate regularly.
The most important step: regular checks
Every measure above lowers the risk, but none replaces regular checks. Having someone see the closed house once a month is the only reliable way to catch leaks, damp and mould early. If you live far away, a report with photos is very useful here. The Home Care Plan combines these regular check visits with a photo report.
This guide is for general information. Every home is different; for your own home, ask a company that has seen the work on site for a written quotation.