Secure Your Home from Flooding During Vacation

A relaxing vacation can feel like a dream but coming home to a flooded house is more than a brutal nightmare. Even while the water is not being used, a risk still remains. In order to truly enjoy your vacation to the fullest, take the necessary steps to safeguard your home from flooding. Preparation is absolutely crucial when it comes to protecting your property and the valuable within.

Prevention vs. Repairs

Having a qualified and professional plumber ready is the smartest way to prevent a flood. Since pipes are not clearly visible, there is almost no telling when a rusty or damaged pipe will break. It may seem like a waste of money but before leaving for vacation, especially for a long period of time, make sure to have a professional assess the current condition of water pipes and structure. A small investment is well-spent to avoid spending potentially thousands of dollars on repairs.

Protecting Against Floods

Flooding can occur in several areas of your house even when there is no torrential rain or other precipitation. Water damage is often contributed by a busted hose from a washing machine, frozen pipes that crack, or even a flooded toilet. Particularly if you expect extremely cold weather in the area, make sure to leave your faucets with a tiny trickle of running water. This will prevent freezing and therefore keep the pipes from cracking. A great alternative to decrease wasting water is to have a neighbor or friend you trust turn on the faucets when the temperature is close to freezing point.

Common Mistakes

Often times, flooding occurs because of the simplest mistakes. It may seem logical to leave the sinks, toilets, dishwasher, and washing machines idle. However, there is still water leftover even if you cannot see it. Instead of minimizing the use of water, drain pressure from an outdoor faucet. Then turn off any sprinkler system or otherwise automatic water distributor. If the forecast calls for fair weather, shut off the water supply in your home completely.

When to Start Securing

Start securing the water system in your home at least several weeks before leaving. If necessary, this will leave enough time for any last-minute repairs. Do not wait until you are planning a vacation to call professionals to do regular maintenance and checks. Worrying about flooding in your home should never be a concern during vacation.

The most important step in securing your home from flooding during a vacation is to call a qualified plumbing company such as All About the Pipes Plumbing Inc. several weeks before your vacation to ensure that everything is checked before you leave.