Winter
A furnace that quits during a cold snap can freeze a supply line in a day. We confirm the heat is on, look for ice dams along the roof line, and check again after outages and big storms.
Someone walks through your house while you’re away.
Mid Ohio Home Watch makes scheduled visits to empty homes in Mansfield and Richland County. We check for leaks, heat, storm damage and break-ins, then send you a photo report before we pull out of the driveway.
For snowbirds, second-home owners, homes on the market, and families looking after a parent’s house.
Visit report
18°F outside
- Doors and windows locked, no signs of entry
- Furnace running, thermostat holding at 58°F
- No water under sinks, water heater or washer
- Sump pit dry, pump tested and cycling
- Toilets flushed and faucets run
- Snow drifting under the garage door seal. Owner called at 10:58, handyman booked for Thursday.
- Mail and two packages brought inside
What we check on every visit
Home watch is a visual inspection. We walk the whole house on a set schedule, look for anything that isn’t right, and tell you about it right away. Your checklist is built around your home during the first walkthrough.
Inside
- Every room, basement and attic access
- Water under sinks, around toilets, water heater and washer
- Ceilings and walls for stains or new cracks
- Furnace or heat pump running, thermostat at your setting
- Refrigerator and freezer holding temperature
- Sump pump and dehumidifier working
- Signs of mice, insects or mold
- Faucets run and toilets flushed so traps don’t dry out
Outside
- Doors, windows and garage locked and undamaged
- Signs of forced entry or someone on the property
- Roof line, gutters and downspouts
- Storm damage, fallen limbs and loose siding
- Snow and ice at entrances
- Outdoor faucets, pool and landscaping
On request
- Bring in mail, packages and flyers
- Rotate lights and blinds so the house looks lived-in
- Let in contractors, cleaners or deliveries
- Stock the fridge and set the heat before you come home
- Check after a big storm or power outage
What an empty house in Mid Ohio runs into
Most damage to a vacant home starts small and gets expensive because nobody sees it for weeks. Here’s what we watch for as the seasons change.
Spring
Snowmelt and heavy rain put basements to the test. We check sump pumps, look for water along foundation walls, and make sure downspouts are carrying water away.
Summer
Thunderstorms bring down limbs and knock out power. Humidity in a closed-up house can start mold. We check the air conditioning, dehumidifiers and anything the wind moved.
Fall
Leaves clog gutters and mice start looking for a warm place to spend the winter. We look for droppings and chewed entry points and flag gutters that need clearing before the freeze.
Who we look after
If a house in Richland County sits empty for more than a few days at a time, a regular check is cheap insurance against coming home to a surprise.
- Snowbirds
- Heading to Florida or Arizona for the winter and leaving the house heated but empty.
- Second homes and lake cottages
- Places near Charles Mill, Clear Fork or Pleasant Hill that sit closed up between visits.
- Homes on the market
- Vacant listings that need someone checking in between showings.
- A parent’s house
- When a mom or dad is in the hospital, rehab or assisted living, and you live out of town.
- Long trips and work travel
- Extended travel, military deployment or a job that keeps you on the road for weeks.
How it works
-
Free walkthrough
We meet you at the house, walk it together, and learn where the water shutoff, breaker panel and sump pump are.
-
Your checklist and schedule
We write a checklist for your home, agree on how often we visit, and record who to call for plumbing, heating and repairs.
-
Visits and reports
We visit on schedule and send a written report with photos after every visit, so you can see the house for yourself.
-
If something’s wrong
We call you right away and follow your instructions, whether that’s shutting off the water or meeting your plumber at the door.
What home watch is, and what it isn’t
Home watch is a visual inspection of your home on a regular schedule. It’s a second set of eyes, not a replacement for your contractors.
- Not house sitting. Nobody stays in your home.
- Not a security system. We’re a regular presence, not an alarm company or a patrol.
- Not property management. We don’t collect rent or manage tenants. We look, report and coordinate with the people you choose.
Many homeowner policies expect a vacant home to be checked regularly. Ask your insurance agent how often yours requires, and we’ll set the schedule to match.
Questions to ask before you hand over a key
Home watch is a largely unregulated industry, so it’s worth asking any company these. Here are our answers.
- Are you insured?
- Yes. We carry general liability and professional liability insurance, and we’ll send you a certificate on request.
- Are you bonded?
- Yes.
- Has anyone entering my home had a background check?
- Yes, a criminal background check.
- How will I know you came?
- You get a time-stamped report with photos after every visit.
- What happens in an emergency?
- We call you first, then your backup contact, and follow the instructions you gave us at the walkthrough.
- How do you keep my key?
- Keys are coded, never labeled with your address, and stored securely.
- Can I talk to other clients?
- Yes. We’re happy to share references.
Service area
We’re based in Mansfield and serve homes across Richland County.
- Mansfield
- Ontario
- Lexington
- Bellville
- Shelby
- Lucas
- Butler
- Plymouth
- Shiloh
Outside these towns? Call anyway. We cover nearby parts of Ashland, Crawford and Morrow counties case by case.
Visit schedules
Pricing depends on the size of the home and how often we visit. You’ll get a written quote after the walkthrough, with no long-term contract.
- Weekly
- Recommended for winter, when a furnace failure or frozen pipe does the most damage the fastest.
- Every two weeks
- A good fit for mild months and homes with a monitored alarm and water sensors.
- After a storm
- An extra visit after severe weather or a power outage, at any schedule.
Schedule a free walkthrough
Tell us a little about the house and when you’ll be away. We’ll call back within one business day.