Summer vacation is here – that means it’s time to pull out the grill and think about packing your bags for summer vacation. But, before you hit the road to escape the daily grind you need to make sure that your home is secure and protected from any kind of emergency that could crop up while you are away. Here are some areas to check before you go on vacation and will be away from home for an extended period of time:
If you are not going to have anyone staying at your home while you are away, then there is no need to have your water heater working to keep the water hot. Instead, turn your water heater down or, completely off. This will help to conserve electricity but, also it will keep your water heater from incurring unnecessary wear and tear.
About two weeks before you leave make sure to check your sump pump. This is the pump that is installed in your basement and is designed to carry water away from the foundation of your home in the case of a storm that causes heavy rains and flooding. Having a malfunction with your sump pump during a summer rain storm while you are on vacation could prove to be disastrous.
Unless you have someone coming over to check on your house while you are away there is no need to have the water supply to your home turned on. Instead, turn off the main water supply valve and save yourself the worry. If a leak escalates or, a pipe bursts while you are on vacation having the main water supply valve turned off will eliminate the chances of your home suffering serious water damage.
Make sure that the hoses outside, hose bibs, and sprinkler or irrigation systems are in good working condition and don’t have any broken parts or cracks in the line. Many people go on vacation and leave their sprinkler or irrigation systems to water on a schedule but, if there is a broken sprinkler head or a leak then you could be scheduling a flood instead of just a nice watering.
Going on vacation is just one of the fun perks of the summer season. But, coming home to a plumbing disaster will immediately remove that vacation good mood. Use these tips as a way to get your plumbing vacation-ready.