When you go on vacation, you have many things on your mind whether it be packing, travel arrangements, finding boarding for your pets, and others.
One thing that you should add to your list is ensuring that your plumbing will be okay while you are gone. Coming home after a vacation is enough without walking into a home with a burst pipe or leaking toilet.
Here are some ways you can prepare your Central Florida plumbing in areas such as Lakeland, Plant City, Winter Haven, and more when you are getting ready to go on vacation.
Examine Sinks, Showers, Tubs, & More for Potential Leaks
The best way to avoid coming home to a leak is to be proactive and examine appliances to see if they have started to leak. Common places you can find leaks include sinks, faucets, showers, tubs, washing machines, dishwashers, and more. A dripping supply line under a vanity is a small faucet repair today and a ruined cabinet after two weeks away.
Look under counters at the pipes there as well. If you feel any moisture or spy any dripping or stains, then those should be checked out before you leave. Anything you can smell or hear but not see is worth professional leak detection, and our post on detecting a water leak without destroying your home explains how that works.
A leak can cost you a hefty water bill and if it happens while you are on vacation and unable to monitor your home, it could cause even more extensive damage. If a toilet on the second floor overflows while you are gone, then that water will be leaking down into the ceiling and walls of the first floor. Two weeks of that is no longer a plumbing repair, it is water damage restoration.
A warm patch on the floor or a meter that keeps turning with every fixture off usually means the leak is under the foundation, which calls for slab leak repair before you travel. If the house is old enough that leaks keep appearing in new places, our post on the signs your property needs repiping is the better read, and whole-home repiping is the permanent answer.
Check for Issues with Your Water Heater Before Leaving
Many water heaters come with a vacation setting on the dial that you can activate before leaving. This will help save on your energy bill but keeps the water heater operating while you are gone.
Also, examine the water connections for any signs of potential rust or corrosion. If you see those, it can mean there is a leak somewhere. If you see water anywhere on the floor underneath the heater or around it, book water heater repair before you leave rather than after. A tank that is already near the end of its life is better handled as a planned water heater replacement than as an emergency you come home to.
Ensure Your Garbage Disposal & Drains Are Clear of Food Debris
Leaving any food debris in your garbage disposal or drains is not recommended when you go on vacation. Not only will you come back to a smelly home, but you will also be leaving behind potential attractors for roaches and other pests.
Before leaving, run the disposal with cold water until it clears, then clean the sink with a baking soda and vinegar mixture, which breaks down residue without being abrasive to your sink or pipes. Never put your hand into the disposal chamber. If something needs to come out of it, cut the power at the breaker first, then use tongs. Our guide to garbage disposals covers the rest.
If the sink already drains slowly, deal with it now. A professional drain cleaning removes the buildup a plunger cannot reach, and our post on keeping your drains from getting clogged covers the habits that keep them open.
Find & Turn off the Main Water Valve to Your Home
The best way to make sure you do not come home to a leak or burst pipe is to find the main shutoff valve to your home and turn it off before you go on your vacation. This is the valve on the house side of the meter, or the one in the box at the street. Do not try to shut the water off at the meter itself, as that equipment belongs to the utility. If you cannot find the shutoff valve or it is not accessible, then you can turn off the individual supply valves at toilets, sinks, and the water heater instead.
Do you need help making sure your plumbing is ready for your vacation?
At True Plumbers & AC, we can inspect for leaks and handle any repairs your system needs before you travel. If you do come home to find a leak, then make us your first call, and our 24/7 emergency plumbers will be out the same day. Give us a call at (863) 667-6364 to talk about your plumbing needs.
