Don’t Unpack Yet: The Critical 10-Minute Home Inspection Every Owner Needs To Do After Travel

Summer travel should leave you with lifelong memories—not costly issues waiting at home. 

Then again, a quick inspection as soon as you return home from your trip can help you identify major post-travel threats, including pest introductions and hidden maintenance problems.

It will only take about 10 minutes and potentially save you countless headaches and thousands of dollars in repairs down the road.

If you skip the inspection, you may not discover a serious issue until weeks later, after you’ve already settled back into your routine—and the damage becomes more costly.

Steps to prevent pest introductions after a trip

Many post-travel pest issues, like bedbugs, start with luggage so that’s where you should focus first. 

Follow these tips as soon as you get home.

Check your luggage carefully for bedbugs

Most people take a quick glance at their luggage and assume they’re clear if they don’t notice any pests right away.

However, bedbugs are sneaky and like to hide in seams, pockets, and zippers.

“They can fit into small spaces so you need to look very carefully, especially if you stayed in a hotel, bought antiques or fabrics, or even simply sat on upholstered furniture during your trip,” says Bossel. 

Jim McHale, entomologist and president at JP McHale Pest Management in Buchanan, NY, recommends using a flashlight to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Vacuum and initially clean your luggage

Regardless of whether you found bedbugs in your luggage, you should take everything out of it and vacuum all suitcases, carry-ons, and garment bags. 

Do this in your garage as soon as you get home instead of bringing your luggage straight into your living space.

Next, wash your luggage by loading it directly into the washer. 

“If you can’t run your luggage in the wash, leave it in the sun for a few hours, then sprinkle it with some diatomaceous earth (DE) from your local home improvement store,” says Allan Bossel, operations expert at Bed Bug Exterminator in St. Petersburg, FL.

Let it sit far away from clothes, furniture, and bedding for at least one week. The DE will kill any bugs on contact, and you could later vacuum it with a shop vac or blow it outside with a leaf blower.

Clean your vacuum

After vacuuming your luggage, make sure there’s nothing alive inside your vacuum. 

“You can spray the inside with rubbing alcohol, which will kill most insects on contact and then evaporate away within minutes. Just don’t operate the machine while using the alcohol,” Bossel cautions.

Don’t unpack in your bedroom

While you may subconsciously head to your bedroom to unpack everything, doing so is risky.

“Instead, unpack in another room with a hard floor and no carpet, such as a laundry room or bathroom so that you can easily spot any bedbugs and keep them from spreading,” says McHale. 

Wash all your clothes

Some people think they’ll only be able to find bedbugs on dirty clothes.

The truth is bedbugs can crawl into clean clothes too. That’s why it’s a good idea to wash all your clothes as soon as you get home, including the ones you didn't wear.

“Wash your clothes at the highest heat you’re comfortable with, since heat is what kills bedbugs. If your washer has a hot water function, it’s best to use that,” explains Bossel. 

If you’re worried about color bleeding, organize garments into separate groups and wash them with colors.

Steps to avoid hidden maintenance disasters 

Once you’ve addressed your luggage and any pests that may have appeared, it’s time to shift your attention to plumbing systems that may have developed leaks or other problems while you were traveling. 

Here’s what you need to do.

Listen for water flow at your main shutoff valve

If you don't close the valve (the round wheel handle or lever handle in your basement, crawl space, garage or yard) before your trip and there's a leak or malfunctioning fixture like a running toilet, water will continuously flow.

“If there are any, this might be your first sign that your home suffered a plumbing leak while you were away,” says Bruce Brookins, director of marketing at Bacon Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric in Rockwall, TX.

Place your ear as close to the valve as possible and listen for the sounds of moving water. If you hear it or come across any dripping, flooding, or damp walls and/or floors, call a plumber for help immediately. 

Inspect your sump pump

If you have a sump pump, check it to make sure there's no debris in the pit and no signs of flooding on the ground. 

“You can test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit and making sure it turns on and drains properly,” says Ryan Osterkamp, owner of Quality Comfort Home Services in Cincinnati.

If you can’t turn the sump pump on during your test or come across any other issues, reach out to a licensed plumber.

Keep your eye out for frozen AC coils 

Take a look at your AC to make sure the coils didn't freeze while you were away. Frozen coils, which can happen even in the summer, usually mean you have a clogged filter or a refrigerant leak and can eventually lead to a complete system failure.

To remedy the situation, replace any dirty or clogged air filters and let the ice thaw completely. You can speed up this process by switching your fan setting on your thermostat to “On” instead of “Auto.”

“If your filter is not dirty or clogged, your best bet is to call out a professional to diagnose the issue,” adds Osterkamp.

Check for hidden water damage

Rain and wind can allow water to come in around improperly sealed windows and doors. 

Look for damp trim, swollen wood, or soft drywall near openings as these are all signs that moisture made its way in.

To find small air leaks that might not be visible yet, hold a lit candle, match or stick of incense near window and door frames.

“If the smoke from your flame gravitates towards the window or door, that means air is able to seep in from the outside and there’s a good chance water can too,” says Osterkamp. 

Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal any small gaps and prevent water intrusion. If you find extensive damage, mold, or warped materials, contact an experienced contractor right away.

Take note of any odd or unusual smells

An odor like rotten eggs or sulfur can indicate a gas leak.

“If you notice any unusual smells like those upon entering your home, contact your local gas company for assistance,” Brookins explains.

Also take note of any ozone or burning smells as these can indicate electrical problems, then call an electrician for an assessment if the odors persist.

Review security camera footage recorded while you were away

Even if you don’t notice any signs of criminal activity, security recordings can be useful for evaluating the condition of your property.

“This can also inform you of when an event, such as a pipe burst, occurred while you were away,” says Brookins.