How to Help Avoid Plumbing Issues While Away From Home for Prolonged Periods
Summer vacation is a time for family adventures and making memories that last a lifetime. But before homeowners and their families hit the road and leave their homes empty for a long time, they can take some time to help mitigate any plumbing issues that can occur when the home is empty.
Plumbers recommend taking some simple steps to protect the plumbing system and house to have a more worry-free vacation. Here are some tips that can help prevent people coming home from vacation to plumbing problems and their consequences, like costly water damage.
Turn off the Main Water Shutoff Valve
Homeowners should be able to unwind while they’re on summer vacation. They shouldn’t waste time worrying about whether their plumbing system is having a problem while they’re away, such as a water leak, which can cause costly water damage and high water costs.
To enjoy a more stress-free vacation, homeowners can turn off their main water shutoff valve before leaving. This can have major advantages for homeowners, including:
- Peace of mind: Knowing their home is protected in case of a potential water leak or burst pipe and avoiding these issues from wreaking havoc on the home.
- Prevention of water damage: A pipe burst or leak can cause major destruction and water damage, leading to expensive repairs if left to continue while the home is empty.
- Cost savings: Even small leaks waste a lot of water over time, translating to higher water bills. Turning off the water supply before a long absence prevents unnecessary expenses on water bills and water damage repairs if an issue occurs.
Turn off the Water Heater
Before homeowners hit the road for a prolonged absence, they may also want to shut off their water heaters. Taking this action can also help prevent major headaches upon their return. Turning off the water heater provides some peace of mind that the home is protected from leaks, flooding, and water damage if an issue occurs.
Additionally, shutting off a storage water heater before leaving can also help homeowners save on water heating costs when hot water won’t be needed. Water heaters use energy to keep the water in the tank heated. Turning it off eliminates this unnecessary energy consumption when the house is empty, lowering utility bills.
Schedule a Plumbing Inspection and Look for Issues
When homeowners plan a vacation, they want a fun and worry-free experience. One of the best ways to ensure they can relax on their trip is to call a plumber to perform plumbing maintenance and an inspection and ensure any issues are caught and fixed before leaving. This will help prevent plumbing disasters from occurring while the house sits empty.
Homeowners can also watch for signs of plumbing problems, like water leaks or sewer line clogs, so any issues can be addressed and solved before they leave. This prevents these issues from leading to more costly problems and damage to the home while the family is away for a long time.
About The Plumbing Dr
The Plumbing Dr has more than four decades of experience serving the Falls Church area. They provide same-day service, 24/7 emergency support, and problems fixed right the first time. Call them for plumbing services in Falls Church, VA.
