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Vacations are, by design, meant to be relaxing and rejuvenating. You’re supposed to return refreshed and ready for the challenges of daily life. The last thing you need is to undo all that progress with a plumbing disaster. So as busy as you are preparing for your time away, make sure to pay attention to your plumbing system. Here are five precautions you should take to protect your plumbing.
Leak detection
Leaks are the primary cause of plumbing disasters. A leak detection system gives you the opportunity to remotely monitor and even shut off water in the case of a leak. Some even shut off the water for you so you can rest assured that your home is well protected from this type of disaster. Just remember that this system does not take the place of regular inspection and maintenance. It only adds a layer of protection.
Replace questionable fixtures
If you’ve been procrastinating on fixture replacement, consider your vacation the motivation you need to address it. The odds of a disaster happening while you are away climb steadily with every old, rusty, worn fixture in your house. So whether it’s a shower head or a shutoff valve, don’t leave your home with this one hanging over your head.
Insulate piping
Hot, humid weather causes issues with uninsulated pipes, specifically those carrying cold water. Without thermal protection, condensate forms on the cold outer surfaces of these pipes, leading to damage of the pipes themselves as well as water damage in your home. Have at-risk pipework insulated so you don’t return to an unpleasant condensate related problem.
Walk through before you walk out
Before you leave your home, in addition to the usual checks (stove off? doors locked?), add one last sweep of your plumbing system. You’re mostly looking for fixtures that weren’t shut off properly or stuck toilet valves - anything that can cause a surprise on your water bill. This isn’t the time to look for major leaks or cracks in piping. That should already have been done and addressed much earlier.
Shut off your water entirely
Shutting off your water supply has the major benefit of ensuring that no excess water is wasted if a leak does happen. However, you need to make sure that your shutoff valve is in proper working order so let this be an item on your maintenance list. You don’t want your last precaution to turn into a headache with a neglected valve causing the very leak you’re trying to prevent.
If you discover any issues or need help pinpointing them, give us a call and we can help ensure your plumbing is vacation ready.
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