Ways to Secure the Plumbing for Prolonged Absences
Summer vacation is the perfect opportunity to relax. Instead of staying home and being surrounded by the constant tasks and upkeep that come with the home and work, taking a long trip is a chance to get away from it all. However, when leaving the house empty for a long time, homeowners may be greeted with massive problems as they return home, such as flooding and water damage.
When plumbing problems occur while the house is empty for extended periods, it can create a disaster for the home, such as water damage, mold growth, a high water bill, and more. Luckily, many of these consequences can be prevented by taking a few steps before leaving for an extended trip. Here are three tips to help prevent returning home from a long vacation to plumbing disasters and damages.
Turn off the Main Water Supply
One of the worst disasters that a person can return home to after a vacation is home flooding that results from a problem like a water leak or pipe burst. With no one home to stop the water, a burst pipe or leak can cause major water damage to the home, resulting in expensive costs to repair the damage, mold growth, and a spike in the water bill.
Luckily, these problems can be prevented by shutting off the water to the house just before leaving so that if a plumbing problem occurs, there won’t be water to flood or damage the house. To shut off the water, homeowners should locate their main water shutoff valve and turn it off. Some places it could be located include the basement, crawlspace, mechanical room, or outside.
Turn off the Water Heater
It could also be beneficial to turn off the water heater before leaving for prolonged absences. Firstly, draining and shutting off the water heater can help prevent flooding, mold growth, or water damage if a problem with the water heater, like a leak, occurs.
Additionally, turning off the water heater can save energy and money on utility bills since unnecessary energy use to keep the tank of water hot can be avoided. Water heaters use energy to keep water heated, but if nobody is home to use it, those costs would be wasted.
Look for Problems
When homeowners go away for vacations, their plumbing problems don’t magically go away. They can actually get worse. That’s why taking some time to check the plumbing for any existing problems so they can be repaired before leaving can help avoid additional issues. People can look for problems like clogs, water leaks, and more.
If homeowners are leaving the house empty for a long time, it may be the perfect time to schedule routine plumbing maintenance. A maintenance visit allows plumbers to perform a plumbing inspection and catch any problems. Then, they can be repaired to ensure the plumbing is in good condition before leaving.
About Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc.
Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc. is a reliable heating, air conditioning, and plumbing company serving the Lombard area. They offer upfront pricing, fast turnaround times, and honest advice and recommendations. Call them for plumbing services in Lombard, IL.
