Before you embark on a restful and fun getaway, you must ensure your home will remain safe and intact during your absence. Use these tips to prepare your plumbing for the upcoming vacation season.
Turn Off the Main Water Supply
Before you head out on vacation, turn off the main water supply to the plumbing system in your home in Dallas. Turning it off before you leave home prevents water damage from a burst or leaky pipe while you are away. It also saves water and gives you the peace of mind that you will not return home to a big mess and costly plumbing repairs.
Drain the Pipes Before Extended Absences
Drain the pipes if you plan to be away for an extended period. To drain them, first turn off the water supply and then open the faucets, starting with the ones on the lowest level of your house and making your way upward to the top level.
Flush the toilets to remove most of the water from the tanks and bowls. Drain appliances like your washer, ice machine and dishwasher. Run a short cycle without water to remove any remaining water in them.
Drain the outdoor hoses and close off the spigots. You may even want to drain the water heater if you will be away for several months to prevent the buildup of sediment. If it hasn’t been maintained in a while, it’s not a bad idea to get water heater service before you leave in case sediment has already built up.
Check for Leaks
For shorter vacations, check the plumbing system for leaks before leaving. Inspect the pipes under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. Look at the faucets outside and make sure they are not leaking. Call one of our plumbers to repair leaks to avoid wasting water and water damage to your home.
Test the Sump Pump
Protect your home from water damage and flooding by testing the sump pump. A storm that hits your home while you are away could cause water to flood your home. Make sure your sump pump works normally so it will pump out stormwater reliably.
Insulate Exposed Pipes and Outdoor Faucets
If you plan on taking a vacation during the winter, insulate exposed pipes and outdoor faucets before leaving. Frozen pipes and faucets increase the risk of cracked and burst pipes. They also put your home at risk of water damage and cause expensive damage to your plumbing system.
Insulate these fixtures with heat tape or cable, foam or rubber pipe sleeves. Depending on how cold the weather is expected to be during your absence, you may also want to drip the faucets to prevent them from freezing while you are gone.
Run Your Garbage Disposal With Ice Cubes and Vinegar
Avoid unpleasant odors from building up in your garbage disposal by running it with ice cubes and vinegar. The vinegar kills germs and prevents odors by breaking down and flushing food particles. This tip also prevents clogs from forming and keeps the blades in your garbage disposal sharp.
Check and Tighten Plumbing Connections
Avoid water damage in your home by checking and tightening the connections in your plumbing system. If you are not sure where these connections are or lack the tools to tighten them, hire one of the plumbers from Pure Plumbing for this important task. You especially should inspect and tighten the ones to your dishwasher and refrigerator before vacation season.
Disconnect Your Garden Hoses
As you ready your home for your departure, disconnect your garden hoses. This measure avoids water from getting trapped inside them and causing pipes to crack and burst.
It also prevents water from leaking out of the hoses and pooling in your yard. Pooled water puts your foundation at risk of expensive damage like cracks and holes.
Clean Out the Gutters and Downspouts
Take the time to clean out your gutters and downspouts. This tip prevents water from backing up and pooling on your roof and in your yard.
Water from the yard can flood your basement or crawl space. Standing water near your home could also cause sewage to back up if excess runoff overwhelms your property’s drainage system. Mitigate the risk of sewage backing up into your toilet, sinks and utility room during your time away by cleaning out the gutters and downspouts before you leave.
Close Exterior Drains
Close any exterior drains, such as those for your driveway or foundation, for vacation season. Debris like silt and sewage can back up into them.
Likewise, pests like rodents and insects can get inside the drains and into your home. Close them off to keep out pests and debris that will cause a mess inside your house.
Add a Water Softener
Protect your plumbing system with a water softener. This appliance minimizes scale buildup inside your pipes and appliances. It also softens your hard water, reducing the harm that minerals like calcium and magnesium inflict on your plumbing.
Use a Smart Leak Detection System
Install and use a smart leak detection system in your home. Smart sensors placed in leak zones like near your kitchen appliances and under your sink detect abnormal water flow and moisture.
They send you an automatic alert to your smartphone and shut off the main water supply to your house to prevent flooding. Many of these systems are compatible with smart home systems, allowing you to monitor and control your system remotely.
Set Your Water Heater to Vacation Mode
If your water heater has vacation mode on it, use it to give you more peace of mind during your absence. This mode lowers the temperature on your water heater to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
It allows the water heater to function efficiently without you having to spend money on unnecessary water heating. It also ensures the water remains at a safe temperature to prevent risks like pipe freezing and bacterial growth.
Adjust Your Thermostat Temperature
Set your central comfort system’s thermostat accordingly to protect your plumbing system during vacation season. Keep it at or below 85 degrees Fahrenheit but no lower than 55 degrees to prevent pipe freezing, burst pipes and excessive heat and humidity buildup.
Likewise, keep the doors under your cabinets and the door to your utility room and basement open. This tip allows warm air to circulate and protect your pipes.
Unplug Countertop Appliances That Have Water Connections
If you have countertop appliances like a coffee maker, ice maker or water dispenser with water connections, unplug them before leaving for vacation. This measure prevents water leaks. It also safeguards against burnt hoses, saves on energy and reduces the risk of electrical hazards like short circuiting and sparking.
Ask a Neighbor to Check Your Home
If you have a neighbor whom you can trust, have that person check your home for plumbing issues during your time away. Leave our phone number for the neighbor to call if that person finds problems like a leaky pipe, pooled water in the kitchen or puddles of water around your foundation.
Choose Our Plumbing Services Before Your Upcoming Vacation
At Pure Plumbing, we use the latest tools and materials to protect the plumbing systems for our customers in the Dallas area. Our business has 24/7 and same-day plumbing services available.
We also provide water filtration systems and leak detection services. Our company has an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. Contact Pure Plumbing to hire us before your vacation.
