Vacation Plumbing

For vacationers, there are a thousand tasks to complete before hitting the road: shopping, packing, cleaning, and planning. When making your vacation plans, include "check the plumbing" to your list – there are many stories about vacationers returning home to find a burst water line, flooded basement, or other plumbing related problem. It's the classic Murphy's Law scenario – leaks happen when you are away from home. Before You Go - Vacation Plumbing Checklist According to the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractor Association (PHCC), following the tips on the list below can save you time, money, and headaches upon your return. • Turn off the main water valve – It's the most worthwhile 5 minutes one can spend before leaving for vacation. If you can't locate the main valve, turn off the individual supply valves that feed water to your sinks and toilets. • Set your water heater on the lowest temperature setting. • Unplug small appliances, TVs, and computers. • Set your thermostat at 80 degrees. • Make sure your sump is working, if you have one. Vacation Site Plumbing Tips When you arrive at your destination, be it a humble fishing cottage or beautiful villa in a foreign city, there are a few things to keep in mind when using unfamiliar plumbing systems: • Pack your own toilet paper – depending on whether your retreat is on city sewer or a country septic system, give consideration to the TP. Septic systems may be prone to clogging (yuck) when "better" grades of toilet paper are used. If you cannot live with 1-ply, use less of the 2-ply kind to reduce the chances of nasty toilet clogs. On the other hand, some hotels may not provide the level of TP quality that you prefer. • Locate the plunger ASAP – Without fail, a vacation toilet will clog at the worst time possible. If you have a plunger handy, it's one less embarrassing thing to call management about. • Rural retreats frequently use well water (read: hard water). Soaps, shampoos, and detergents may not lather or rinse as easily as with city water. • Pack bottled water for coffee, Kool-Aid, making ice cubes, and drinking. • Some hard-core DIY individualists travel with small "tool wraps" that include a selection of screwdrivers, duct tape, Teflon tape, a regular flow shower head (for use instead of the vacation shower head), and few good wrenches (the kind that come in handy under sinks). Our Boy Scout alter ego likes this approach, as it's often easier to discreetly fix little issues than rely on someone else's repair timetable. Use your best judgement here. Water You Waiting For? If you would like help "vacationizing" your home or if you return home to find a leak, the professionals at Allied Reddi-Rooter can help, 24/7. Call or Contact Ray today (513) 396-5300 for a free estimate.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.