If you leave your home for a significant part of the year, whether it is in the summer or winter, you need to prepare your home to live without you. Your home’s plumbing system is meant to be taken care of and if you won’t be around, there are a few things you need to do to prep your home’s plumbing for the time you will be away.
Turn Off the Water at Your Home
When you are on your trip, make sure that you turn off the water at your home. Every home should have a main water valve that can easily be turned off. This will prevent water buildup and prevent water plumbing emergencies while you are gone. When you turn off the water valve, also make sure that you turn off the sprinkler system if you have one. These are notorious for causing problems while homeowners are away and you don’t need your lawn watered while you are gone.
Check the Sump Pump
If your home has a sump pump, you need to make sure it works before you leave. One of the most common plumbing emergencies happens when there is flooding and the sump pump isn’t working so the basement overflows with water. If you are out of town, you won’t know if this happens so make sure that when you add water into the sump pit, the sump pump is able to remove the water. If it can’t do that correctly, call a plumber and fix it before you leave for your trip.
Drain Water Appliances
Most homes have washing machines and dishwashers, and I recommend emptying and draining these appliances. This will prevent mold from developing. We also recommend leaving the doors open on these appliances so that odors do not develop.
Ask Someone to Check Up On Your Home
It can be expensive to fix a plumbing problem that goes out of control while you are gone. Ask someone to check up on your home if your vacation or time away is expected to last more than 2-3 weeks. If an emergency happens, you will be notified and be able to call a local plumber.
For more information about how you can winterize or summer prepare your home’s plumbing, contact us at Ben Franklin Plumbing.
