As you prepare to head off on those much-anticipated summer vacations, there are a few last-minute plumbing details that you’ll want to keep in mind before you head out the door. As you pack up the car and start running through your routine checklist, like turning off the lights, locking the doors, etc., there are a few items related to your home’s plumbing you’re going to want to add to ensure that your home stays safe and in top working condition upon your return.
All it takes is a few minutes to prep your home’s plumbing system for your absence so that you’re not faced with any unexpected catastrophes that will certainly put a damper on your holiday zen, not to mention your bank account! So, here are two major things you’ll want to shut off:
- Hot Water Heater – If you want to come home to a significantly lower utility bill, be sure to shut off your hot water heater. Traditional water heaters that run on electricity or natural gas are one of the largest energy-consuming appliances in your home. So, put some of that vacation spending money back in your pocket with this simple task.
- Water Supply – We’re not always going to be home to witness pending disasters like burst pipes and water damage, so we can’t take immediate action. But, there’s nothing worse than coming home to such a head splitting situation. It’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare! Broken pipes can be extremely costly thanks to the huge mess that they create and loss in property damage. However, you can easily prevent this from happening while you’re away by simply shutting off your home’s water supply. After all, you won’t be there, so you won’t need it. If you’re not sure where your water shut off valve is, look near your water meter. Some are in the form of hand-cranks or handles that can be found on a large pipe in basements. If you still aren’t able to find it, you can always call your trusty plumber to show you where it is and how to turn it off.
If completely shutting off your home’s water supply isn’t an option, say you need certain elements like sprinkler systems to stay on, there are still actions you can take to prevent leaks and water damage from happening to isolated areas of your home. For instance, you can shut off individual valves on lines that lead directly to all major appliances (e.g. dishwashers, washing machines) as well as sinks, toilets, etc.
The whole point of a vacation is to enjoy yourself and your loved ones worry-free. So, do yourself a favor, and ensure your home’s systems are in check and remain in top shape while you’re away. Trust us, you won’t be sorry! And, remember, if you have any questions or concerns at all regarding your home’s plumbing system, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Tritan Plumbing team.
