How To Keep Your Plumbing Secure While You’re Away
Summer is a time to load up the car, pack up the kids, and hit the road for a summer vacation. However, before homeowners leave, they should take precautions to avoid major water damage from a potential plumbing problem.
To protect homes while families are away on vacation, Oklahoma City, OK, plumbers recommend taking the following precautions:
- Turn off the main water supply: This simple step can prevent major water damage in case of a leak.
- Switch off the water heater: Turn off the water heater while households are gone to save energy and avoid potential issues. Less wear and tear means a longer lifespan for the heater.
- Become a leak detective: Before homeowners leave, they should check for any drips or leaks around faucets, toilets, and pipes. A small fix now can prevent a big headache for households later.
In this post, plumbers explain how homeowners can take these steps and why they are beneficial.
Main Water Supply: Why You Need To Turn It Off
Main Water Supply: Why You Need To Turn It OffSummer vacations should be fun and relaxing. The last thing homeowners want to do is return to a flooded home or costly damage. Homeowners can avoid a plumbing disaster like a burst pipe or hidden leak by shutting off their main water valve.
Turning off the main water supply during an extended vacation is a simple step that offers the following benefits:
- Peace of mind: Protecting the home from potential leaks and floods allows homeowners to truly relax and enjoy their time away.
- Prevent major damage: A pipe burst or hidden leak can cause extensive water damage, leading to costly repairs and headaches. Shutting off the water supply minimizes this risk.
- Save money: Leaking water means wasted water and higher bills. Turning off the supply helps homeowners avoid these unnecessary charges.
Taking the small step of turning off the main water shutoff valve can save homeowners major headaches later.
Reasons To Shut off the Water Heater
Reasons To Shut off the Water HeaterA step numerous homeowners need to remember to take is to turn off the water heater. Overlooking this step could result in major issues for a household, including:
- Major water damage: Water leaks or bursts can cause costly repairs and a soggy mess upon the family’s return.
- Higher utility bills: A broken water heater might continue using energy or water even if it’s not functioning properly.
In contrast, turning off the water heater while households are away offers several advantages, such as:
- Assurance that the home is protected from potential water damage allows homeowners to relax and enjoy their trip.
- Reduced energy costs by turning it off to save energy and lower utility bills.
- Easily turn the water heater back up when the family returns to restore hot water.
Have the System Inspected
One of the most important steps homeowners can take before leaving on summer vacation is to have a full plumbing inspection on their system.
In addition to hiring a professional to inspect the system, homeowners can also take steps on their own to look for defects in the system, such as:
- Look for any drips or leaks around faucets, toilets, and pipes. A small fix now can prevent a big headache later.
- Listen for unusual sounds, such as gurgling or other strange sounds coming from the pipes. These could indicate potential clogs or problems.
- Check the water heater for leaks around the tank or if the pilot light is out.
By taking these steps and performing routine plumbing maintenance, homeowners can enjoy their vacations knowing their homes are safe from plumbing disasters.
About Buddy’s Plumbing Inc.
For 15 years, the experienced Buddy’s Plumbing Inc. team has provided quality and dependable plumbing services to Oklahoma County. A family-owned and operated company, they offer straightforward pricing. Call them today for plumbing services in Oklahoma City, OK.