Leaving Dubai for the summer is a familiar ritual for many residents. As the heat climbs and humidity sets in, it's the natural time to head home or find a cooler climate elsewhere. But preparing your property for weeks of absence in peak Dubai summer takes more than locking the door on your way out.
An empty home left through the hottest months is exposed to heat build-up, trapped humidity, musty smells, drain odours, appliance problems, and wasted energy. Coming back to a sewage smell or a shockingly high DEWA bill isn't the welcome home anyone wants.
Fix Up UAE's technicians have spent years helping Dubai residents keep their homes in good shape, including through long summer absences. Here's a practical checklist to help you avoid the most common post-holiday headaches.
Key Points to Remember:
- Set the AC to a steady 26–27°C and use 'Auto' mode to control humidity and mould risk while keeping DEWA costs reasonable
- Run water through every sink, shower, and floor drain before leaving to refill the P-traps and block sewer gases
- Close curtains and blinds to cut down heat transfer, but leave internal doors open for airflow
- Empty, clean, and unplug the fridge and other non-essential appliances to save energy and prevent odours
AC and Climate Control
One of the most common questions homeowners ask before travelling is whether to leave the AC running. The answer is yes—just set it up correctly.
Switching the AC off entirely during a Dubai summer causes problems fast. Without any climate control, indoor temperatures spike and humidity gets trapped inside a sealed home, creating ideal conditions for mould, mildew, and musty smells that can damage furniture, clothing, and paintwork.
Instead of turning the system off, set the thermostat to 26–27°C, and use the 'Auto' function if your unit has one—this lets the system manage temperature efficiently without running flat out the whole time.
In a multi-storey villa, it's often enough to leave just the upstairs unit running, since cool air naturally sinks and helps regulate the temperature throughout the property. This is one of the more effective ways to protect your home without facing a huge DEWA bill on your return.
Plumbing and Drain Preparation
Come back from a trip to a bathroom that smells like sewage? It's a common issue in Dubai, and it almost always traces back to a dried-out P-trap.
Every sink, shower, bathtub, and floor drain has a U-shaped pipe underneath called a P-trap, which holds a small amount of water as a barrier against sewer gases rising into the home.
In Dubai's climate, constant air conditioning, low indoor humidity, and unused taps mean this water can evaporate within a couple of weeks. Once the trap dries out, that barrier disappears and sewer gases move freely into the living space.
*How do you prevent drain smells?* It's simple—right before heading to the airport, run water through every drain in the property for at least 30 seconds, not forgetting the floor drains in bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms, which tend to dry out first.
For trips longer than a month, slow the evaporation down further by pouring a tablespoon of cooking oil down each drain after running the water. The oil floats on top of the water in the trap, extending the seal considerably.
Curtains, Windows, and Airflow
Should curtains stay closed while you're away? Yes. Closing curtains and blinds is one of the simplest, most effective steps you can take. Direct sunlight through bare windows raises indoor temperatures significantly, forcing the AC to work much harder to hold that 26–27°C setting.
Blackout curtains are especially good at blocking heat transfer. That said, while you want to seal the home from outside heat, you still want air moving freely inside—leave internal doors, including wardrobe doors, slightly open so cooled air can circulate rather than pooling into stagnant, humid pockets in closed spaces.
Before closing the curtains, double-check that every window and balcony door is properly locked. Even a slightly unlatched window lets in enough hot air, dust, and humidity to undo your AC settings.
Kitchen and Appliance Checks
The kitchen needs particular attention before a long trip, since leftover food—even refrigerated—can spoil and leave smells that are hard to shift.
*Fridge and Freezer:* For an extended absence, it's best to fully empty the fridge and freezer, then wipe the interior down with a mild cleaning solution. Unplug the appliance and prop the doors open—closing the doors on an unplugged fridge traps residual moisture, which quickly turns to mould and odour. Leaving the doors open keeps the interior dry.
*Other Appliances:* Unplug non-essential appliances—TVs, microwaves, kettles, toasters, washing machines. Even switched off, many devices draw small amounts of standby power, so unplugging saves energy and protects them from power surges while you're away. Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are fully empty, and leave their doors slightly ajar to stop musty smells building up inside the drum.
The Final Walkthrough Before You Leave
Do one last walk-round of the property before heading to the airport:
- Check every tap: Make sure nothing is dripping—a small leak can waste a lot of water and cause damage over weeks
- Empty all bins: Clear rubbish from every room, including bathrooms and bedrooms
- Clear the kitchen: Remove any perishable food from counters and cupboards
- Switch off the water heater: Turn it off at the wall unless you have a specific reason to keep it running, to save energy and reduce leak risk
- Lock up: Double-check every external door and window
What to Check When You Return
Back home after your trip? A few quick checks are worth doing straight away:
- Smells: If there's a sewage odour, run water down every drain and flush the toilets to refill the P-traps—the smell should clear quickly
- AC performance: Confirm the AC is running and the home feels reasonably cool, and check for leaks or condensation around indoor units
- Water damage: Check ceilings and walls near bathrooms and the kitchen for any signs of leaks that may have developed while you were away
- Fridge: If it was left running, confirm it's still cold and nothing has spoiled from a power interruption
Common Questions
*What should I check before leaving Dubai for summer?* Set the AC to 26–27°C, run water down every drain to fill the P-traps, close all curtains and blinds, empty and unplug the fridge with doors left open, unplug non-essential appliances, and confirm every window and door is locked. A final walk-round before you leave saves a lot of hassle later.
*Should I leave my AC on while travelling?* Yes—switching it off entirely during a Dubai summer isn't advisable. Without climate control, indoor temperatures climb fast and humidity builds up, creating conditions for mould and musty smells. Set the thermostat to 26–27°C or use 'Auto' mode. In a multi-storey villa, running just the upstairs unit is usually enough, since cool air sinks naturally.
*Should curtains be closed while I'm away?* Yes—closing curtains and blinds is one of the simplest, most effective steps. Direct sunlight through bare windows raises indoor temperature considerably, making the AC work harder than it needs to. Blackout curtains work especially well. Leave internal doors slightly open so cooled air circulates rather than getting trapped in individual rooms.
*How do I prevent drain smells?* Run water through every sink, shower, bathtub, and floor drain for at least 30 seconds right before you leave, refilling the P-trap that seals against sewer gases. For trips over a month, add a small amount of cooking oil down each drain after running the water—it floats on top and slows evaporation significantly.
*What should I check when I return?* Start with a quick smell check—if there's a sewage odour, run water down the drains and flush the toilets to refill the P-traps, and the smell should clear within minutes. Confirm the AC is running and the home feels cool, check ceilings and walls near bathrooms and the kitchen for leaks, and check the fridge if it was left running.
Peace of Mind While You're Away
Preparing your home for summer travel doesn't need to be stressful. Following this checklist means you can enjoy your trip knowing your property is protected from the harshest part of the Dubai summer.
For extra reassurance, an annual maintenance contract with Fix Up UAE covers regular AC servicing and plumbing checks, keeping your home's essential systems in good shape whether you're there or away.
Contact Fix Up UAE:
- Mobile: 0541854173
- Email: fixupuae71@gmail.com
