Protect Your Home From Plumbing Issues On Vacation

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

Flooded basement caused by broken pipe.

You’ve probably been saving up for this trip for a while, so why end a great vacation by coming home to water damage? While you’re enjoying the beach with your family, a small leak can turn into a more serious problem.

Make sure to safeguard your home against plumbing disasters by checking out the following tips

Check the Flapper Valve

The flapper valve is a simple mechanism in your toilet tank that allows it to refill after every flush. However, sometimes flapper valves can get hung up, causing them to not form a proper seal or close at all. When this happens, the water will continuously run in vain to fill up the tank. When you’re at home, you can easily hear the water running and quickly remedy the problem. However, if you’re not in your home, the water will continue to run, driving up your water bill.

Shut Off the Main Water Supply

If you are going on vacation for several weeks, it may give you extra peace of mind to shut off the main water supply. This will ensure that no leaks will happen while you’re away, preventing that scenario in your head where you come home to find significant water damage. Even if you aren’t going on vacation in the foreseeable future, it’s still a good idea to familiarize yourself with where your main water supply shut off is and how to use it. That way, during an emergency, you will be able to easily locate the main water supply and shut it off.

Shut Off Hot Water Heater

If you shut off the main water supply, make sure you also shut off the hot water heater. If you leave your hot water heater on without proper water supply, it will still continue to heat, potentially causing damage. Hot water heaters are used to heat water for showers, baths, and cleaning dishes and clothes. However, if no one is staying in your home during your absence, there’s no need to keep this system running.

Have Someone Check In

No doubt, you have a checklist of things to get done before heading for the airport. For example, when people leave for extended vacations, it’s common to have a friend or family member stop by the house to make sure the mail doesn’t pile up or to water the plants. However, make sure your designated person also checks the house for plumbing issues. A quick walk through the house should suffice to catch any leaking pipes before they become a larger problem. This strategy can save you from extensive water damage after a relaxing vacation.