Is Your Plumbing System Prepped?
Before you head out of town on your well-deserved vacation, there are always things you should take care of at home before you leave. Like you need to make sure your pets will be properly cared for, all the appliances are turned off and all the doors are locked. But, we sometimes forget about our plumbing system. You don’t want to come home to an unwanted, preventable mess. So, before you leave for your getaway, make sure your plumbing system is prepped correctly to help prevent everything from stinky drains to full-fledged floods.
Shut Off The Main Water Valve
To prevent any leaks or other severe water damage while you’re away, you should consider shutting off the main water valve in your home. For example, if you have a leak or a pipe burst while you’re away, the water will keep running, and no one will be home to stop it. If you turn off your water supply before you leave town for a long time, you save money and conserve water! It’s a win-win!
Clean Out Your Drains
While you’re away you won’t be continuously using your drains and any clogs or leftover moisture in your drains may cause some unpleasant odors. Making sure you clean out your sink traps, drains and garbage disposal will help minimize that.
Drain Your Pipes and Check For Leaks
Once you shut off the main water valve, turn on faucets throughout the house and drain the excess water from the pipes. Once the water has drained, don’t forget to turn your faucets off! Don’t forget about your faucets and drains outside. Disconnect garden hoses, open spigots, shut off, and drain your sprinkler system. If there’s no water in your pipes, you shouldn’t have to worry about an unnoticed leak or, in cold climates, freezing pipes.
If you haven’t checked for leaks in a while, do a quick inspection. If you find the smallest leak in your house before leaving for vacation, take care of it right away. If you wait until you’re back from vacation to fix it, it may cause further water damage and increase your water bill.
Have Someone Check In While You’re Away
It’s always a good idea to have a family member, friend, or trusted neighbor stop by and check in on your home once or twice while you’re away on vacation. By having someone check in on your home, they can ensure no emergencies or serious plumbing or non-plumbing damages to your property. You’ll have some peace of mind knowing someone is checking in on the house.
Call Stephens Plumbing Before Your Next Trip
Go through this checklist before your next vacation and give us a call to know if you have any leaks or clogs you need to be repaired before you head out. Stephen’s Plumbing, we’ll be right out to get your plumbing system back up and running in no time!