Prevent Plumbing Problems While on Vacation

By Russo Bros. & Co. Plumbing (Patch Partner)

You could come home to a disastrous and costly situation should something go wrong with your plumbing while you are away. Here are a few helpful hints to avoid any problems that may occur while you are away on vacation:

1. Turn off the main water valve that brings water into your home. With the water supply turned off, any leaks or bursts that may unexpectedly occur should not result in unlimited amounts of water pouring into your home while you are away.
2. Check water lines to avoid coming home to unwanted messes. Look at all the water lines connecting appliances, sinks and toilets to make sure you don’t find leaks or cracks.
3. Turn off the water supply to all exterior faucets. This is a particularly good idea if you’ll be away when outdoor temperatures fall below freezing when pipes can burst. After you turn it off, open the faucets to make sure there’s no water remaining in the pipes that could expand and cause a crack.
4. Test your sump pump before you leave to make sure it is working properly.
5. Check the floor around your water heater to make sure you don’t see any evidence of leaks. If you find problems, fix them before you leave. Also, it’s a good idea to set the thermostat to a “vacation” setting.
6. Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to check on your house while you’re away. Walking around the house and looking carefully at the foundation is probably enough to detect any problems going on inside your house. Hiding a key somewhere or leaving it with someone might be a good idea. In the event of an emergency, it will make access to your home easier while you are away.