8 Pre Vacation Plumbing Maintenance Tips

/ Alligator Plumbing, Sewer & Water Heater Service/

So you're one of those lucky people that take vacation are you? Well, good for you! We all deserve a little time to refresh ourselves.

Before you leave, take a look at the tips below to ensure your home is ready for “vacation-mode” too.

Here's our list of 8 pre-vacation tips to avoid plumbing problems while you’re out of town!

  1. Turn off the water. While you’re away on summer vacation consider turning off the main water shut off valve to avoid a potential accident. By turning off your main shut off valve, you’re not allowing any water to enter your home. If you decide to do this, make sure you open up your faucets and drain the remaining water out. Should you want to go the extra mile, you can shut off the individual water valves to the washing machine, dishwasher, toilets, and ice-maker.  Now your home will be as dry as a bone.             
  2. Do your yard-work. Before you leave for your summer vacation, make sure any visible tree roots aren’t encroaching on your sewer line. This could cause some serious problems if you don’t take care of it. Unless you’re watering the yard while you’re on vacation, it’s best to drain the sprinkler system and shut it off completely. Even a small drip or leak can add up to a big water bill. Plus, if you've already shut off the water main valve you wont have water anyway.    
  3. Check your laundry machine hoses. Believe it or not, the life expectancy of a washing machine hose is roughly 3 years. Before you leave for vacation, make sure you visually inspect the hose for any cracks or a major calcium deposit build up.
  4. Visually inspect your water heater. If you see any water on the floor before you leave, make sure to give us a call. This could be a sign that your water heater needs to be replaced or repaired. Hopefully, there are no visible signs of a leak and you may proceed with your vacation as planned. We recommend turning your water heater temperature down, off, or put the system in vacation mode, if possible. You can also opt to completely shut it off to prevent the possibility of flooding.                               
  5. Prevent odors from happening. The last thing you want to come home to is a foul odor emanating from your drains! Do yourself a favor and run some ice cubes and cold water through your garbage disposal before you leave.  This will push any food particles down the drain so they can properly wash away. Make sure to empty your dishwasher and washing machine too. Emptying these appliances will help prevent mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors, especially if you leave the doors open to air them out.   
  6. Keep it dry. Check every appliance for dampness and corrosion. If you spot something, contact a professional before you leave for vacation.
  7. Have a pool? Run the pool pump. Turning off the pool pump can cause algae build-up. If you plan to be gone for more than a few days, keep the pool pump on at optimal setting to make sure it’s operating properly while you’re away. 
  8. Ask someone to check on your home. Have a friend, neighbor, or family member stop by to check on your home while you’re on vacation. It’ll give you some peace of mind while you’re away, make sure you provide them with a list of emergency contacts…including your plumber! Which is 925-575-7584 by the way. ;) 

With Alligator Plumbing's checklist of tips, your vacation will be spent enjoying summer, not worrying about your home. If you need our assistance in prepping your home before you leave, contact us by clicking below. We’d be happy to help.