Plumbing Priorities Before You Leave for Vacation

Priorities for Pre-Summer Vacation Plumbing

Summer is finally here, which means it’s vacation time for many of us Minnesotans. Whether you’re going “up north” for a week at the lake or halfway around the world, there are always a few things around the house that need to be taken care of before you leave for an extended period of time. Of course, you know to turn off all the lights, make sure the stove is turned off, and that all the windows and doors are securely shut. But do you know what plumbing tasks you should complete before your extended vacation?

There are a few simple steps you can take to prepare your plumbing for a long vacation to avoid returning home to a flooded home, ruined carpet, foul odors, or thousands of dollars in water damage. And the majority of them will only take a few minutes.

Checklist of Plumbing Priorities for a Stress-Free Vacation
Here’s what you should do before you go on vacation to prepare your plumbing.

Turn off the water supply.

This single, simple task is the most effective way to avoid a major flood in your home. Turning off the main water supply ensures that no additional water leaks into your home if a faulty pipe or plumbing fixture bursts or leaks while you are away. If your home has a sprinkler system or a pool pump that makes turning off the entire supply impractical, you can still turn off the water at each individual fixture, such as your sinks, toilets, and washing machine, to reduce flooding if something were to happen.

Turn off or drain the water heater.

If you haven’t already scheduled annual maintenance for your water heater, now is a good time. A professional plumber can check for leaks and assist you in draining it. You can turn it off or set it to “vacation” mode if you don’t have time for an inspection. Traditional electric or natural gas water heaters are likely one of the most energy-intensive appliances in your home. Turning it off while you are away will not only reduce the likelihood of flooding in your home, but it will also significantly reduce your utility bill.

Disconnect Hoses and Drain Outside Faucets

Don’t go to the trouble of turning off your water only to return home to a flooded house due to leaking pipes. After turning off the water, disconnect the hoses and open the outside faucets to empty your pipes.

Carry out a sump pump test.

Summer storms can appear out of nowhere and dump massive amounts of rain in a short period of time. If your basement is prone to flooding, check that your sump pump is operational before you leave. Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit and check to see if it turns on and pumps the water away. In addition, you should have a battery backup pump in case the power goes out while you are away.

Gutters should be cleaned.

Remove any debris that has fallen into your gutters before leaving to ensure they are clear and capable of moving rainwater away from your roof and foundation. This will help to keep additional water out of your home while you are away.

Drains that are clean

Minor clogs or gunked-up drains may begin to smell if there is no water running through them. If it’s been a while since you’ve given your drains a thorough cleaning, you should call a plumber to ensure you don’t come home to an unpleasant stench. Emergency Plumber Kensington and heating engineer Kensington specializes in drain cleaning rather than just clearing and can get your drains working properly and smelling great with a method that will restore your pipes to like-new condition.

Allow a Friend to Check In

If you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time, it is always a good idea to have someone you know and trust check in on your home on a regular basis. This is the best way to catch any problems early and prevent them from getting out of hand while you’re away.

With Emergency Plumber Kensington, you can keep your plubming safe.

A little extra planning before you go on vacation can provide you with extra comfort and peace of mind. You can rest easy knowing that your home’s plumbing is in capable hands with Emergency Plumber Kensington. If you have any questions or need assistance with your home’s plumbing, give us a call or contact us online. We’ve been providing fast, professional, high-quality plumbing service to the Minneapolis metro area for over a decade.