The Ultimate Plumbing Service Guide To Preparing Your Plumbing System Before A Vacation | Brookhaven, GA
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The year is almost coming to a close, and you’ve probably been fancying some time away. The excitement to leave your Brookhaven, GA home is building up. If you are not careful, the flurry of activities building up to the vacation could become pretty overwhelming since your mind is now completely wrapped up in the upcoming trip. Unfortunately, you may forget to check an essential part of your house: the plumbing system.
Coming home to a water disaster after your vacation is the last thing you want to deal with. For this reason, it is important to keep plumbing services high up in your pre-vacation checklist. Before going for that long vacation you have been waiting for, check or do the following to keep your plumbing system running properly and ready for your return:
Look around for plumbing system leaks
Among the first things that you should look out for when inspecting your plumbing system are pipe leaks. This will save you from water wastage or, in the worst case, flooding in your home. Checking pipes in your home might be an easy task but remember, not all pipes are visible. A slab leak, for instance, is a type of leak that results from a pipe beneath the house foundation being damaged. It is not easily noticeable, and over a long time, water may soak a large soil area leading to foundation damage. Here are signs that your house may be having a slab leak:
- Warm floor
- Puddles collecting near your house
- Wet patches on the floor
- Low water pressure
As not all leaks are visible, you might want to have a plumbing service technician inspect your plumbing system. A professional is better placed to notice impending leaks and fix any problems before they cause costly damages.
Drains
Turn off the water supply valve and turn on all the faucets in your home. If you have any garden hoses, shut off their supply valve, turn on the spigots, and drain them unless they will need to continue running in your absence. Once all the water is drained, turn the faucets off.
You are probably already accustomed to disconnecting the hoses from the faucets during the winter season and draining them. However, if going on a vacation at this time, you may forget to do this. Water left in the pipes may freeze and cause the pipes to crack. During the warmer months, there is no freezing risk, but you still have to check for faulty faucets that may not close properly and have leaks. Contact a plumbing technician and have them repaired or replaced before leaving to avoid dealing with a spiked water bill once you return.
Adjust the Water Heater
You will be away for some time, and if no one is left in your house, the water heater will have little use. Most water heaters have a vacation mode or setting, usually displayed as “VAC” or “VACATION.” This setting automatically adjusts temperature settings to reduce the energy used by limiting the on/off cycles. If your water heater does not have this option, set the thermostat to the lowest temperature available to mimic the VAC mode. If leaving your house during winter, shut the water heater off entirely as water may freeze in pipes. If you notice any problems with the water heater, call a plumbing service technician to have it fixed before leaving.
Check the sump pump
There is always a probability that water or moisture will collect and drain into your basement or crawl space. This water caused by heavy rainfall, groundwater, pipe leaks, or a faulty appliance such as an overflowing washer flows into a sump beneath the basement, and when it gets to a certain level, it triggers the sump pump. The water is pumped through pipes and channeled away from your house. To avoid costly water damages while you are away, call your preferred plumbing service technician to service the sump pump.
Seal off crawl space vents
Before leaving your house for a winter vacation, ensure that the crawl vents are closed. Open vents during this time will allow cold air inside and increase the risk of pipe damage.
Ensure you leave door cabinets open
Leaving for a vacation can be hectic, and opening the kitchen or bathroom cabinets under the sinks is something you are likely to forget. However, this is a necessary precaution to take during the winter season that allows warm air to reach the pipes. Don’t forget to do this, especially if your house is not well heated.
Pipe Insulation
This may not sound like a significant investment, especially during the warm months. However, winter can pose a danger to the piping system, and this may be worse if you are not around to call for an emergency plumbing service. Insulating your piping system not only protects the pipes from freezing but also minimizes heat loss.
Schedule a plumbing inspection and maintenance before the vacation
We all want a vacation that is free of worries, and having a plumbing service done to your house is one way of achieving this. The professionals will inspect and solve for any leakages (even the hidden leakages).
Have someone check your house while you are away
Although you may have taken all the above precautions, it would be wise to have a friend or family member check your home every once in a while. Make sure you provide them with your emergency plumber’s number should there be any emergencies.
Have your plumbing system inspected by Brookhaven, GA plumbing service professionals
The plumbing system is one of the most important aspects of a building and requires regular inspection and maintenance by qualified Brookhaven, GA, plumbing service professionals. Regular maintenance keeps your home safe from flooding risks and saves you from spiking bills caused by leaks. At Peach Plumbing & Drain, we are dedicated to ensuring all your plumbing needs are met whenever they arise