Is it finally time to pack your luggage and head for that much-needed vacation? Before you jet off, you must work on essential pre-vacation plumbing activities.
When planning your vacation, it is good to ensure everything is in order before leaving. That includes your plumbing system. It can be challenging but always worth the effort.
With careful planning and scheduling, you will have a stress-free trip. Remember, the last call you want to receive on your vacation is a call concerning your plumbing.
To help you prepare, below are a few things you need to check.
Plumbing Checks You Must Do Before Leaving For Vacation
Before you head out on your summer vacation, you should make a few plumbing checks to guarantee your home is safe.
Clean Your Garbage Disposal
When you are away, it is easy for food scraps to build up in the garbage disposal, leading to a clogged drain.
Garbage disposals can become a breeding ground for bacteria if left dirty for a long time.
To clean your garbage disposal, fill the slot with ice cubes, sprinkle rock salt, and add lemon, then let cold water run until the ice melts. This should clear food particles and odour.
Clean Drains
If you will be away for a long time, ensure all your house’s drains are clear and debris-free. It prevents clogs that could cause flooding. If you have an outdoor drain, cover it, so it will not fill with leaves and other debris.
Clean The Toilets
A dirty toilet with unflushed toilet paper creates a foul smell. Clean the toilets with a mild bleach solution. This prevents unwanted odours from developing while you are away. If you have a septic system, ensure the drain field is clear of debris and standing water.
Also Read: How to avoid toilet clogging
Check the dishwasher pipes
If you have an older dishwasher, there may be some rust buildup on the hoses connecting it to the water supply line under the sink. If this is the case, you should replace the hoses before leaving on vacation so that they do not cause any damage.
Drain Your Plumbing System
It is easy to forget the still water in your pipes when you leave. Water left in the pipes could freeze as temperatures drop. Frozen water in pipes will cause damage to the system. In addition, ensure all faucets are turned off or drip-dry before you leave so that nothing freezes and bursts while you are away. You should also drain your pipes for winterisation purposes.
Turn Off The Main Water Valve
If your trip will keep you away from home for an extended period, turn off the main water valve. This prevents flooding from potential leaks or ruptures during your absence. You do not want to return from vacation to find that you have a leaky basement.
Check For Leaks
Leaks occur when pipes get old and rusty. Old pipes can burst due to freezing temperatures in winter or during summer heat waves. Check all faucets throughout your home, especially those you rarely use. Call a plumber to fix the problem if you notice signs of leakage, such as pooling water near your sink or toilet.
Check Your Pipes
The best way to identify issues with your pipes is by carefully listening while the faucets run or flushing toilets. It may be time for repairs if you hear strange sounds from your pipes, such as gurgling or squeaking sounds.
If you had recent changes to your plumbing, such as new plumbing fixtures and pipe replacements, ensure you test them before leaving for a holiday. Flush repeatedly under running water to ensure everything works, and there is no risk of leakage.
Turn Off The Water Heater
Turn off the water heater when leaving for a vacation. It prevents the unit from overheating and causing damage to your home.
The water heater is a large source of energy consumption in the home. So even if you will be away for a week or two, turning it off saves money on your next bill.
Clean The Gutters
It is important to keep your gutters clean. It helps prevent clogs and drainage issues when it rains.
Hire a professional gutter cleaning service to care for your gutters before leaving. If you do it yourself, ensure you remove all the debris. Sagging or broken parts of the gutters require repairs to prevent the chances of flooding while you are away.
Check For Tree Root Intrusions
While you are outside, be sure to check on tree root intrusions. If you will be away for a long time, tree roots could intrude into your sewer lines, causing costly damage and forcing you to cut your trip short.
Therefore, check for potential intrusions and call an expert for removal. If you have trouble making this confirmation, ask a plumbing expert to help you.
Ensure The Sump Pump Is Working
A sump pump is an excellent way to keep standing water away from your foundation and prevent expensive structural damage caused by mould growth. Check the sump pump to ensure it works before going on vacation.
Ask Someone To Check-In
Getting someone to visit your compound is always good to confirm everything is as it should be. Ask a relative, neighbour, or friend to check your home for any plumbing issues that may arise in your absence. They should check for leaks, strange smells, water stains, and other obvious signs of plumbing issues.
Seek Professional Assistance
Pre-vacation plumbing activities should be part of your preparation for any vacation. These activities help you avoid plumbing problems while you are away.
Big or small, they will demand costly repairs and replacements. Take the time to do these simple maintenance tasks before you leave so you can enjoy your vacation and even extend the trip confidently.
If you develop any plumbing issues pre- or post-vacation, call us, your plumbing company.
The plumbing systems in your home are complex. So, if you have no plumbing experience, do not take the risk. Call us to take care of any issues.