10 Plumbing Tips for Vacation

1. Turn off the water.

This does not mean make sure all your faucets are off, although that is an excellent idea. Rather, homeowners should turn the water off at the main valve. This may be one of the single most important steps toward protection from water damage because it stops the flow of water into the house.

2. Drain the pipes.

While turning off the water to the house is a foundational step toward protecting your home while on vacation, it is not as beneficial unless the pipes are drained as well. After the main water valve is shut off, the best way to drain the pipes is to run all the faucets until they run out of water. And to avoid a mess when you eventually turn the water back on, don’t forget to turn off the faucets once they run dry.

3. Don’t forget about outside pipes.

While Kingwood, TX doesn’t experience many hard freezes, it does happen, and it is critical to also drain the faucets and hoses on the exterior of the home to prevent plumbing-related water damage.

4. Drain the sprinkler system.

This step can be easy to forget since it is outside, but if a sprinkler bursts and a leak occurs while you are gone, it can make the lawn a mess and the water bill skyrocket. Take the time to drain the sprinkler system and it might save you hundreds of dollars.

5. Prevent odor build up.

If you are planning to be on vacation for more than a couple of days, it is not uncommon for odor build up to occur in places such as the garbage disposal and toilets. This typically occurs because these areas are not freshly clean, and without occasional running water, they can start to smell unpleasant. It is worth the effort to thoroughly run the disposal and clean the washing machine and toilets before leaving town.

6. Air out appliances that use water.

Commonly used appliances such as the dishwasher and washing machine can start to stink if they are closed shut and are not being regularly used. It’s a good idea to leave the dishwasher door and washing machine door open so the air can still circulate and allow water to evaporate instead of trapping it inside and promoting mold and bacteria growth.

7. Run the pool pump.

While many things should be turned off when away from the home for vacation to prevent plumbing problems, the pool pump is usually not one of them. Turning it off can result in algae growth, so it is best to leave the pool pump on while away.

8. Turn off the water heater.

A water heater can be a plumbing problem almost anytime, especially for aging and problematic units. One way to help avoid a water heater issue while you are gone on vacation is to either shut it off or set it to a vacation setting.

9. Enlist backup.

If you plan to be gone for a week or more, it can be a good idea to enlist the help of a friend or neighbor who is willing to periodically check on your home. While this step may not stop a plumbing problem from happening, it may help minimize the damage if it is caught early enough.

10. Have a trusted plumber on call.

If the person periodically checking on your home while still on vacation spots a plumbing issue in your absence, make sure they have the contact information for a reputable and trusted Kingwood plumbing company. This can give a homeowner on vacation more confidence and peace of mind while they are away.