Not much is better than the feeling you get after walking out of school or work for the last time before a much needed vacation. But, don’t be fooled into thinking that you’re all set to jet after the suitcases have been packed and the house has been locked up – there’s also your plumbing to think about.
Although your plumbing might not be the first thing you think to prepare before traveling, you’d be surprised at how many people come home to a leak, damaged pipes, or other plumbing related problems simply because they didn’t take the time to look things over before leaving. Since you’ve found our vacation plumbing guide, though, your plumbing system is something you won’t have to worry about while you’re relaxing in paradise – so long as you do the following, that is:
- Run the garbage disposal. You want to come home to a fresh-smelling home, right? Then take a few minutes to run some ice cubes and cold water down your garbage disposal prior to taking off. By doing so, you’re helping to push any leftover food down the drain so that it can be properly washed away instead of left sitting in your disposal for an extended period of time.
- Test your sump pump. No one likes a flooded basement while they’re home, so you certainly won’t want one when you’re not home either. In the event of an emergency while you’re gone, you’ll want to be able to rest assured knowing that your sump pump is working to help prevent groundwater from taking over the lower level of your home. So, do a test run with it ahead of time to make sure it’s able to pump out water properly.
- Inspect your gutters. Your gutters will work at their best when they aren’t clogged with dirt and debris, so do a thorough inspection to make sure nothing has gotten stuck since the last time you cleaned them. If your gutters are full and it should rain while you’re gone, they won’t be able to divert water away from your home they way they should.
- Turn off the water supply. One of the most effective ways to prevent water damage while you’re gone is to turn off the water supply completely. However, if you’re having neighbors coming over to check on the house that may need to use your water, at least turn off the water supply valves for appliances such as your washing machine or dishwasher that won’t be in use.
Yes, it may add some more time to your pre-vacation prep routine, but preparing your plumbing for your absence can make all the difference in whether you come home to a happy home or a potentially sad home if something should go wrong.
For all of you vacationers in Orange County, California, if you’ll be having friends or family check up on things while you’re gone, don’t forget to leave them our number on your emergency contact list! Should your home experience a plumbing problem while you’re away, we would be more than happy to assess the situation and patch things up!
