7 Plumbing Checks Before Leaving for Vacation

Are you going on a vacation soon?

Vacations are fun! But returning to a smelly or flooded home isn’t.

A plumbing issue is the last thing you want to worry about when you are on vacation. To avoid that nuisance during your holiday, it is crucial that you inspect your plumbing system before leaving.

Make it a point to check every tap, hose, and pipeline before you go away, either by yourself or with the help of a professional. This puts an end to any plumbing issues before they become real problems—in your absence.

Here are 7 primary checks you should perform to ensure your home’s plumbing system runs smoothly while you are away.

1. Shut off Water Supply

The first one on the checklist is turning off the main water supply valves leading into each fixture within your home—including sinks, toilets, showerheads etc.—to prevent any unexpected leakages while nobody is present at home.

It is recommended because if there is any leak in your system and the water supply is on, there will be a lot of water wastage. As a result, you will also receive a significant water bill.

Thus, cutting off the water supply is the right thing to do before you go on a holiday. But after blocking the water supply, be sure to drain the faucets of any remaining water and disconnect the hoses.

2. Turn Off Each Valve and Appliance

This second one is an unconscious practice for many homeowners. They check all the appliances again and again before leaving home because it is dangerous to leave appliances on with no one at home.

Besides the appliances, consider shutting off the valves for your toilets and washing machines. This simple precaution prevents water from stagnating and emanating odours while you are gone. It is unpleasant to come home to a stink.

Checking all faucets and toilets is part and parcel of this. Inspect taps and toilets throughout the house for any signs of leakage or running water. If you discover any leaks, contact a licenced plumber in Narre Warren as soon as possible to fix them before leaving.

3. Overall House Check

Look around the exterior of your house—particularly near windows and doors—for any signs of leakage or water damage from past leaks that may have been overlooked.

While you are at it, check for cracks in pipes and dripping hoses, which can contribute to water wastage and potential flooding if left unchecked.

4. Clear Your Gutters and Drains

Not every plumbing repair is as easy as turning a knob or flicking a switch. Some of the most significant plumbing jobs require some physical work! Among those, cleaning gutters and drains are the messiest.

But it is a vital step before leaving your home unattended.

Ensure that gutters are free of debris and clog to let the water flow freely without obstruction when it rains or snows while you are away. It will prevent flooding due to backed-up drains or gutters filled with leaves and other matter.

The drains should also be clear of any waste, or you will come back to a smelly home—especially the food residue that makes the drains reek.

5. Check Sump Pumps

You can’t predict climate. It can bucket down anytime and unleash gallons of water on your home. It can flood your basement, and you will return to a home that is dripping wet.

For this reason, you must ensure the sump pumps in your home are working properly. You can test a sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit and checking if it triggers the pump activation. This simple test confirms everything works as expected.

The usual cause of a sump pump failure is the debris settled in the pit. So cleaning the pit before leaving home is also a good practice.  

6. Water Heater on Vacation Mode

One potentially dangerous appliance in homes is a water heater. If left on for extended periods, it could create big problems, such as short circuits.

Never miss to turn off the water heater if you are not going to use it for long. Turn your heater to vacation mode if the feature is available. Some water heaters come with a pilot mode, which is also safe.

But if none of these options is available, do it the usual way. Turn off the electricity and the incoming water valve.

7. Take Care of Garbage Disposal

Clean out garbage disposals using baking soda solution followed by warm water before leaving on vacation. It helps keep odours down due to buildup inside the disposal unit during extended periods without usage.

In the same way, you may also run water through it to check if there are any food particles in the drain of your garbage disposal that might decay and smell.

Final Say

These are the precautions you take before leaving for a holiday. You can only rest assured during your vacation when you know your home is safe.

The above we discussed are things you can do yourself, but we understand you might be overwhelmed by the list. If it’s too much of a hassle, call a plumbing expert to take care of it. They can effortlessly manage all of it and confirm everything is in order.

It would also be easier because if the expert encounters any plumbing issues during the inspection, they can fix them on the spot.

Reach out to Doyle—Plumber Services in Narre Warren—to schedule a maintenance check for your plumbing system. It is a step that shouldn’t be skipped!