Preventing Plumbing Disasters on Vacation

With the holidays coming up, traveling is at an all-time high. You may think that while you aren’t home, and not using your plumbing, there couldn’t possibly be a plumbing disaster. Unfortunately, that is just not the case. When coming home one of the last things you want to see is a flood, water damage, or some other major issue you now have to take care of. Here are some easy things you can do to help prevent any plumbing disasters while on vacation.

Adjusting the Temperature

With winter right around the corner, you may think it is a great money-saving idea to turn your heat off while not in your home. However, if you live in an area where it gets to freezing temperatures you need to leave the heat on. The heat helps protect your pipes from freezing and then bursting. While you don’t need to leave the heat on as high as you would if you were home. It is still important to keep the house warmer than it would be if you turned it off.

Main and Stop Valves

One way to prevent any possible flooding is to turn your water off at the source. Your water main valve is not hard to find. And to turn it off all you have to do is turn the lever or wheel. If you do not want to do that, or if you have a leaky sink, you can always turn the water off at every fixture. Generally, your toilet, every sink, and any water-using appliances have a stop valve. These will not stop water from coming into your home like a main valve will. They will just stop the water at that particular item. If you have a toilet that sometimes runs, this might be wise to turn it off.

Draining Your Pipes

This can also help prevent burst pipes or leaks. If you are turning off your water at the main, after that turn on every faucet (sink, showers, and tubs) until the water runs out. After that, make sure you switch everything to the off position. That way when the water comes back on it won’t start flowing out of your fixtures.

Testing Your Sump Pump

Testing to make sure your sump pump is working properly should happen about twice a year. Your sump pump acts as a drain to move any water away from your basement. We recommend testing the pump a few days before you leave in case it is not working. It is extremely easy to test this. To test, fill a bucket or a few pitchers of water and pour directly into your sump pump. If it turns on and drains the water then you do not need to worry. If it’s not, try adding a little more water. If it is still not turning on after that then you will need to call a plumber.

Water Heater Vacation Mode

This may not necessarily prevent any disasters while you are on vacation. This will help your energy costs. If nobody is staying in your home while you are gone, you do not need hot water! Your water heater will continually run to keep the water at the right temperature even if it is not being used. Nowadays most water heaters have a vacation mode. It is a simple process you can do. If you are leaving your heat on, this is where you can save on energy costs.

Final Thoughts

Doing most, if not all of these tasks will take up only an hour of your day and help prevent huge headaches when you get home. These are only applicable if nobody will be in your home to watch it or take care of your pets. However, if it is a weekend away or a month galavanting around the world we highly recommend you take these steps.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any help with any plumbing issue. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem.We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.