Summertime is upon us! With school getting out, longer days, and warmer weather many people will be going on vacation. Vacation time is wonderful, you have a couple of days to kick back and forget about your responsibilities. One of the worst things that can happen while you are sipping on Piña Coladas and watching the sunset is a plumbing disaster. After all, your home’s plumbing is probably the furthest thing from your mind while you are busy doing absolutely nothing, and you should keep it that way. Stressing out about all the little things that could happen while on vacation can definitely put a damper on your fun. So, before you head out of town here are some tips for protecting your plumbing while on vacation.
#1 Leak Detection
Proactive leak detection is one of the best plans of defense against a plumbing disaster while at home and while on vacation. Leak detection should be part of your regular plumbing maintenance, however before you go on vacation take a look around to make sure that everything is in good order. Check under sinks, around faucets and showerheads, and around toilets. Water leaks are not only a source of water damage but can also wreak havoc on your water bill. Nip and leaks in the bud before you go on vacation to protect your home from a plumbing disaster and protect your pocketbook.
#2 Appliance Hose
How often do you think about water supply lines to your water-using appliances? It’s at the top of the list, right? Water supply lines are one of the top things that go out while on vacation. Old water supply hoses can get brittle and worn out over time. Once this happens, it’s like a ticking time bomb waiting to go out. And, as luck would have it, they aren’t courteous enough to go out while you are at home, instead, they have a habit of going out while you are on vacation causing damage and mess. To protect your plumbing while on vacation, always check the supply lines before you head out of town. You should also make it a habit to check your water supply lines regularly, and switch out hoses every 5 years and any time you buy a new appliance.
#3 Shut Off Water Supply
If you are going out of town for an extended period of time, it may be a good idea to turn off the water supply. Turning off the main water supply is a good way to ensure that there is no plumbing disaster while you are out of town. However, if you do not have access to the main water supply, or live in a multi-unit building you can shut off the water supply to your individual plumbing fixtures, and appliances.
#4 Turn Off Water Heater
Another thing you might want to do to protect your plumbing while on vacation is turn off or turn down your water heater. If you are going to be gone for longer than a couple of days this can help not only protect your plumbing while on vacation, but also reduce your utilities. Keep in mind, that if you do choose to turn off or adjust your water heater while on vacation, there will be some downtime when you turn it back on. You may only want to go this route if you are going to be gone for a while.
#5 Tell Someone
One of the best things you can do to protect your plumbing while on vacation is to tell someone that you trust that you are going to be away. Ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member to keep an eye on your home while you are away. You should also keep the contact information of your preferred plumbing company in a handy place.
For more plumbing tips on how to protect your plumbing while on vacation contact Courtesy Plumbing today!
