Plumbing Tips — Do not leave for vacation until you perform these tasks

If you’re taking a vacation or traveling for the upcoming holidays, you should take some essential plumbing steps before leaving your home. Failing to do so could result in costly repairs or even water damage.

Plumbing Tips, Let’s check out these four things you should do before going on vacation or leaving for the upcoming holiday season.

1. Shut Off the Water Supply

This is the most critical step to protect your home’s plumbing while away. By shutting off the water supply, you’ll prevent any leaks or flooding that could occur while you’re gone.

Start by finding your home’s main water shut-off valve to shut off the water supply. This is usually located near your water meter location or where the main water line enters your home. Once you’ve found the shut-off valve, turn it clockwise to close.

If you need help finding where your home’s main water shut-off valve is located, or if you think it would be challenging to find in an emergency, consider installing a shut-off valve at each of your home’s plumbing fixtures. That way, it will allow you to efficiently and quickly shut off the water supply to any institution that starts leaking while you’re away.

2. Drain the Water From Your Pipes

Another essential step to take before going on vacation is to drain the water from your pipes. This will help prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting while you’re gone.

To do this, start by turning on all the faucets in your home and flushing all the toilets. This will help get rid of any standing water in your pipes.

Once all the water has been flushed from your pipes, turn off the main water shut-off valve and open all the faucets again. This will allow any remaining water in your pipes to drain out.

3. Disconnect Your Water Heater

If you’ll be traveling away from your home or office for an extended period, disconnecting your water heater is also a good idea. This will help prevent it from overheating and potentially causing a fire while you’re away. To disconnect your water heater, start by turning off the power to the unit. The next step should be to turn off the water supply to the team and open the drain valve to allow any water inside the unit to drain.

Once all the water has been drained from your unit, you can disconnect the water and power lines. Be sure to label these lines, so you know where to reconnect them when you return home.

4. Have a Neighbor Check-In

Finally, having a neighbor or friend check in on your home while you’re away is always a good idea. They can keep an eye out for any signs of leaks or flooding and contact you if there’s an issue.

It’s also a good idea to leave them your contact information in an emergency. That way, they can reach you immediately if there’s a problem.

These simple steps can help protect your home’s plumbing while you’re away on vacation or traveling for the holidays. Be sure to take care of these things before you leave so you then, in turn, may relax and enjoy your time away without worry.

If you are still unsure, contact Raleigh’s most trusted plumber. www.poolesplumbing.com