Prepare your Pipes for Vacation

Travel can be stressful. You have to pack, set aside money, make reservations, plan meals, and navigate unfamiliar experiences. In short you have to split your attention in many different directions. People are commonly concerned about their home while they are away. Pets and plumbing can be common concerns. This article will detail some ways you can ensure your plumbing is safe while you are gone. So you don’t have any added stress when get get back from your trip.

Here are some basic things you can do to ensure the safety of your plumbing.

Washing Machine

Drain and empty the washing machine before you leave for your vacation. You don’t want to come back to an unsightly mess of clothes, mold and mildew in the washing machine basin. Additionally, the washing machine will have an unpleasant odor. You can reduce stress by avoiding moldy clothes in your washer.

Dishwasher

Remove dishes from the dishwasher and drain. One of the worst things you can do is leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher for a week or two. The dark environment of the dishwasher and the food particles, provides an ideal space for mold, mildew, and bacteria to grow. Additionally, the enclosed space of the dishwasher concentrates unpleasant odors. Do yourself a favor and empty the dishes before you leave.

Turn off the main water valve  

All the water your home uses comes through the main water valve. By closing the main water valve, you essentially turn off all your individual appliances like the shower, washing machine, sink, ice maker, dish washer and toilets. By turning off the main water supply you are helping protect your property from an unattended flood. A flood is one of the most damaging events that can happen to your property.

Lower your water heater temperature

Your water heater runs continuously while you’re gone. Heating water costs money. You don’t need hot water when you are on vacation. To save money, set the water heater to its lowest setting or turn it off.

Ask a friend to check your home while you are gone

This is one of the simplest suggestions. Before you leave, ask a friend to check on your home. You can ask them to check your pool, downstairs. Having a friend check your home is especially important after a thunderstorm.

You should seek professional advice from a plumber in your area. They may provide a consultation with useful plumbing suggestions over the phone. As the saying goes, an ounce prevention is worth a pound cure. Preventing plumbing problems is less expensive than dealing with plumbing problems.