Whether you’re leaving for a summer camping trip in one of Alberta’s national parks or headed for warmer climates during the winter months, you should always remember to take precautions to protect your plumbing. After all, there’s nothing worse than coming back to a flooded home. Here’s a pre-vacation plumbing checklist to make sure your return from your vacation is a happy one.
- Turn off the main valve
Before leaving on your trip, locate your main water supply valve and turn it off. Doing so will help you prevent leaks. There’s no telling how much damage a leak can do. Also, a slow leak can rack up your water bill, especially if your house is left empty for a long time. Turning off your main water supply is the best way to protect your home and your wallet. - Seek out leaks
It’s still a good idea to go through your home and check for any leaks. Drips tend to start out small and get worse over time. A small leak now could become a massive headache in a few weeks. Taking this precaution will ensure you don’t come home to a large water bill or a ruined bathroom. - Check your sump pump
If you have a sump pump, it’s a good idea to get it checked before leaving on vacation. Heavy rains and floods could damage your home, so making sure your sump pump is in good working condition can help you to avoid unpleasant welcome-home surprises. - Don’t forget the water heater
Since you won’t be home, there’s no reason for your water heater to keep working at full capacity while you’re away. Many water heaters have a “vacation mode” that you can turn on before leaving, which means less electricity used and more savings. - Take a look down the drain
Ever come home from a trip only to realize you forgot to take out the trash? It’s an unpleasant experience to say the least. Another way bad smells can take over your home is if your drains are clogged or full of debris. Before leaving, check every drain and make sure you remove any obstructions. - Adjust your home’s temperature
If you’re the type to lower the heat when you leave on your fall, winter or spring vacation, make sure you don’t lower it so much that your pipes freeze. A burst pipe can be a very unfortunate and expensive surprise. - Get someone to check your home
It never hurts to have a neighbour or friend check in on your house while you’re away.
More importantly, if you’ve spotted some plumbing problems during your inspection and are in the Red Deer area, consider contacting McMullen’s Refrigeration & Heating Ltd. Our team has you covered, for both residential plumbing and commercial plumbing solutions in the Red Deer area. Give us a call today or keep our number handy for when you need us.
