The long wait is over, and summer has arrived. Let the vacation season begin. Summer vacations are a great way to recharge, but coming home to a plumbing crisis can reverse all that relaxation in a moment. Preparing your plumbing before you leave for a vacation can save you a major headache and major repairs. By following some simple steps, you can easily prepare your plumbing for summer vacations.
Steps to prepare your plumbing for summer vacation include: 1) turning off the main water supply, 2) checking for leaks before you leave, 3) draining and protecting outdoor plumbing, 4) setting your water heater to “vacation mode,” 5) cleaning drains and garbage disposal, 6) considering a plumbing inspection or smart monitor, and 7) informing a neighbor or friend.
Sun Plumbing has prepared this list with further details to help you best prepare your plumbing before leaving on any summer vacations. Now you can leave with peace of mind, instead of returning to a flooded kitchen. Sounds like a plan, right? Let’s get started!
#1 Turn Off the Main Water Supply
Shutting off your main water supply will prevent any water from flowing through your pipes, thus preventing flooding and leaking. If a pipe should break for any reason, the only water released would be what is held in the pipe, which should not be enough to cause flooding. Even this small amount of water release can be prevented by draining your indoor pipes before leaving. Once you turn off the main water supply, turn on all indoor faucets to release all the remaining water. If someone is housesitting for you, this will not be an option. However, if someone is housesitting, hopefully, they would notice an issue quickly and call a plumber for you.
#2 Check for Leaks Before You Leave
Inspect your water heater, toilets, faucets, and underneath sinks. By fixing any small leaks before leaving on your trip, you will hopefully prevent major leaks from occurring while you are gone! If you detect a leak that you cannot fix on your own, give our professionals a call at Sun Plumbing. We will make sure you are all set before your trip.
#3 Drain and Protect Outdoor Plumbing
Disconnect garden hoses and make sure that all outdoor spigots (faucets) are turned off completely after opening them to release any remaining water, just like you did with your indoor faucets. Insulated covers for outdoor plumbing can add protection from heat or inclement weather.
#4 Set Your Water Heater to “Vacation Mode”
Vacation mode lowers the water heater’s operating temperature. Again, if nobody is house-sitting for you, setting your water heater to “vacation mode” can save energy and save you money on your utility bill.
#5 Clean Drains and Garbage Disposal
Stagnant water and leftover food can cause odors and clog drains. You may want to use a garbage disposal cleaner before leaving. Use only products that are safe for garbage disposals. Do not pour bleach or harsh chemicals down any of your sink drains. Did you know ice can help clean your disposal blades? Check out our blog, “6 Tips and Tricks for Your Garbage Disposal.”
#6 Consider a Plumbing Inspection or Smart Monitor
Sun Plumbing professionals are available to conduct plumbing inspections to alert you to any concerns. As much as you don’t want to hear about a plumbing issue before leaving on your trip, it is much better to know now and have it fixed than to come home to a plumbing crisis. You can have leak detectors or shut-off valves installed for an extra safety measure. Additionally, some newer appliances may allow remote (“smart”) monitoring to let you shut them off if necessary.
#7 Inform a Neighbor or Friend
Having a neighbor or friend check on your house is a great idea. Ask them to do a walk through both the front and back yards. Have them check the area around the water heater, sinks, and toilets. Leave Sun Plumbing’s phone number for them in case of a plumbing issue while you are away.
Why You Should Choose Sun Plumbing
Sun Plumbing has been your go-to plumbing company in Melbourne, FL, for over 50 years. Proudly serving Brevard County with service “as dependable as the sun,” we continue to offer outstanding professional plumbing services along with excellent customer service. With our new membership plan, you can save money by paying a small annual fee in exchange for 10% off services to meet your plumbing needs. If you have an older home, we highly suggest this option.
Summary
Before leaving on a summer vacation, there are several things you can do to prepare your plumbing. Turn off the main water supply to prevent leaks and flooding. Check for leaks before you leave and have Sun Plumbing perform any necessary repairs. Disconnect garden hoses and turn off all outdoor spigots. Set your water heater to vacation mode. Clean drains and the garbage disposal. Consider a plumbing inspection or smart monitor. Inform a friend or neighbor that you are leaving and ask them to check your yard and house for plumbing issues while you are gone. Lastly, call Sun Plumbing for all your plumbing needs, both this summer and year-round!
