Saturday, May 8th, 2021
Your Easy Vacation Plumbing Checklist
Going to the water? Don’t come home to it…
It gives us great joy to share this article with you, considering that this time last year, we weren’t traveling much at all. But with a lot of patience, we made it through a tough year and boy is it going to feel good to see new places again!
Before you hit the road or leave for the airport, make sure you take care of your home’s plumbing so you won’t have to worry about an emergency while you’re on vacation.
Here’s our easy vacation plumbing checklist:
Clean
Make this one of your top priorities before you leave town. First, start by cleaning the drains so they don’t begin to smell (from not having water pass through them) while you’re away. You’ll also want to clean and disinfect the garbage disposal, bathtub and shower, and your sink in the laundry room. Think if it this way: you’ll love coming home to a clean house!
Empty the dishwasher
This sounds like a given, but you’d be surprised at how easy it is to leave for vacation and without clearing it out. Ditto for the washing machine and dryer. Then, open all of them so they can air out.
Turn off your main water supply
This is critical. Before you do so, however, drain the pipes, including those that provide water to the outside. Open spigots and drain the sprinkler system as well. Why turn the water supply completely off? To ensure that no leaks happen while you’re away, which will give you peace of mind (and prevent a major plumbing problem, of course!)
Turn off your water heater
This step is an absolute must if you’re turning off the main water supply to avoid additional plumbing problems. This is also a great time to make an appointment and have maintenance performed on your water heater to make sure it’s free from leaks and working at its best.
Unplug appliances
Take a walk around your house and unplug any appliances that can cause leaks while you’re away like the ice maker, humidifier, and diffusers. While you’re at it, unplug your washer and dryer as well. This will help you save a little on your energy bills, too.
Enlist help
Whether you’re going to be away for two days or two weeks, make sure a neighbor, friend or family member can watch the house. We recommend (and especially if you’ll be gone for a longer period of time) they take a walk around the house regularly and look for any signs of leaks or other plumbing issues.
Have Allied Reddi-Rooter’s number on hand
Before you hit the highway, put our phone number (513-396-5300) in your phone’s contact list. You never know when a plumbing emergency can arise, and it’s good to be prepared.
If you have a plumbing issue while you are away, we’ve got you covered. In fact, the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter always has you covered – whether you’re in town or not. Call or Contact us for all your plumbing needs. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service. You can follow us on Facebook, @Allied Reddi-Rooter for the latest tips or to ask us a question.