You’re on the beach, relaxing during a long-delayed vacation when you get the call. There’s a serious water leak in your home! Carpets, flooring and furniture are damaged. That’s the end of that tropical vacation. You fly home the next day to assess the damage and figure out how to prevent this from ever happening again. I’m going to give you a helping hand from my long experience as a plumber so maybe you can avoid a catastrophe like this in your home. And finish your next vacation!
Important Ways to Leak-Proof Your Home While You’re Away
One of the best ways to prevent vacation-ending leaks is to turn off the water to your whole home. This eliminates the risk of major leaks or burst pipes. Your main shutoff valve is typically in your basement or garage or near the water meter.
Once the water is turned off, drain all water from pipes and outdoor hoses. Open faucets and flush toilets to empty them out. Empty lines leading to outdoor hose bibs. Also, shut off the supply of gas or electricity to your water heater and drain the water out. If you will only be gone for a short time, look for a “vacation” setting on the device which will lower energy consumption.
A high-tech way to protect your home from leaks is to install a smart water leak detector that senses an increase in moisture levels and sends an alert to your phone. Some advanced systems even let you shut your water off remotely if it’s needed. This can provide peace of mind any time you’re away from home.
Other Actions to Leak-Proof Your Home During Your Vacation
The right time to prepare for a long trip is well before you leave. That way, you have a chance to make the following inspections to ensure your home stays safe.
- Check your sump pump, if you have one. Pour a bucket of water into the sump pump pit and see if the pump activates and drains the water properly. If there’s a heavy rainstorm while you’re gone, you may need this pump to be in good working condition.
- Make a detailed tour of all the visible plumbing in your house and make sure there are no leaks or damp areas that could get worse while you’re gone. Get any repairs done that are needed.
- Clean out gutters and downspouts. Sure, these are not part of your plumbing system but if they’re clogged with leaves, they can send plenty of water into your home.
- Keep your heater set to at least 55 degrees to keep everything unfrozen if you are traveling in winter.
- Disconnect water lines to washing machines, dishwashers and ice makers. You might consider replacing any old hoses with stainless steel braided hoses which are stronger and less likely to leak.
More Smart Actions to Keep Your Home Safe
Once you have handled all the possible ways that water could do damage, also check your insurance coverage. Make sure you have enough coverage for water damage. If you already have good coverage, check your policy for preventative actions you are responsible for taking to prevent damage, such as keeping your home heated while you are away.
And lastly, if you will be gone for more than a few days, ask a trusted friend, neighbor or family member to look in on your home while you’re gone. Do a walk-through with them and point out any potential problems. If you will be gone for a considerable time, they should run water through the drains to ensure there is water in the P-traps under each of the drains to prevent foul smells from entering your home.
Rocketman Plumbing Can Help with Inspections or Repairs at Any Time
Here in Albuquerque, we are known for our fast, courteous service. We respond to calls for emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you need an inspection before you leave or an emergency repair as soon as you get home, call us! We’ll be there fast to help you prevent any further water damage to your home. Call us at 505-243-1227