Plumbing Priorities Before You Leave for Vacation

While things aren’t exactly back to normal yet, many people are planning their responsible and safe summer vacations. While we don’t have advice for you about what lake is best or what to pack, we do want to talk to you about your pre-vacation plumbing needs. These three items won’t only save you money while you are away but can also save you from potentially devastating property damage.

Turn off your water

If you’re just heading out for the weekend, there’s no need to worry. However, if you plan to leave for several days, or weeks, turning off the main water supply to your home is a good idea. Burst pipes and leaks, especially while you are away, can cause significant damage. By shutting off the ability for water to enter your house, you are preventing any of that potential damage.

It’s also wise to disconnect hoses, drain outside faucets, and turn off your sprinkler system.

Check fixtures and appliances

If you’re gone for an extended vacation, you might also consider turning off individual valves to your washing machines and toilets, so water doesn’t stagnate and become foul while you are away! Run water through your garbage disposal to ensure it doesn’t have food particles in the drain left to rot and stink. Check your water heater for any leaks (look for puddles of water) and consider turning it off to save money for extended periods of vacation.

Test your sump

Especially if you are prone to flooding, it’s important to test that your sump pump is operational before leaving. One summer storm and you could come home to a flood. There’s no better way to lose your post-vacation relaxation than walking into a huge mess!

Dump a bucket of water into the pit, ensure it turns on and pumps water out appropriately. Ask a neighbour to check on it if there’s a storm and consider getting a backup battery to run the sump pump if there’s a power outage while you are gone.

Vacations are fun, and we don’t mean to add to your to-do list. But doing these quick checks can give the peace of mind that you need to thoroughly enjoy your time away!