10 Plumbing Things to Do Before Going on Vacation

One of the essential tasks to keep your home looking good, lasting a long time, and preventing expensive repair/maintenance bills is to keep up with all of the small things you can do while on vacation without hiring anyone. Here are ten things you must do before going on vacation - so your plumbing won't break while you're away. If you identify any plumbing concerns before you go, contact us at Beall Contracting right away, and we will provide quick plumbing service.

Shut Off Water

You can do this at the main water shutoff valve, but make sure you know where it is. Call a nearby plumber at Beall Contracting to turn off the water if you're unsure.

Drain Sprinklers

Sprinklers are things you don't think about until they start causing problems. So when you get home from vacation and find your lawn looking like it has been through a war zone, turn off your sprinkler system and drain all of the sprinkler heads so that they are empty.

Drain Gutters

Gutters can fill up with leaves, debris, and other junk over time, so if you have gutters on your house, clean them out before going on vacation so that they don't overflow or cause any other damage while you're on vacation.

Test Sump Pump

Make sure your sump pump works properly. You could flood your home or basement if it doesn't, costing thousands of dollars in repairs. The best way to test your sump pump is to place a bucket under it and turn it on.

Drain Appliances

If you are gone for more than a few days, drain the water from your dishwasher and washing machine. You don't want them sitting full of dirty water for long periods, leading to mold growth and costly repairs.

Shut Off Water Heater

Turn off the pilot light on your water heater so that it won't accidentally ignite while you're away from home. Make sure to turn off all gas valves as well — this includes dryer vents if they're attached to natural gas lines in your home's walls or attic. If there's no pilot light on your water heater, leave the cold water valve open so that there's no pressure buildup inside the tank when no one is home. This will also prevent an explosion if someone turns on an appliance like a dishwasher or clothes washer while you're gone (which would create more pressure inside the tank).

Clean Drains

It's not just your kitchen sink. Your bathroom drains can get clogged, too, especially if any of the kids have been using your tub or shower. Cleaning drains regularly can prevent significant problems when you return from vacation.

Run Your Pool Pump

If you have a pool (or spa), make sure to run the pump every few days during your absence. Even if it's cold outside, water sitting in a pool can freeze and cause damage once temperatures warm up again.

Check Everything For Leaks

Check for leaks everywhere: water heater, washing machine hoses, refrigerator condenser coils, and more. If you find any problems with these appliances, fix them before leaving home so they don't become more significant problems later on down the road.

Ask Someone To Keep An Eye On Your Home

If you're going away for more than a week and leaving your home unattended, ask someone reputable who lives nearby to keep an eye on things. This can include mowing the lawn or watering plants if necessary. Make sure they have your contact information so they can call if something goes wrong while you're away.

Beall Contracting

If you have a plumbing emergency, the fastest way to fix it is to ensure that everything is working correctly in the first place. These ten tasks will help ensure that your plumbing system stays in good shape for the rest of the year.

Contact Beall Contracting for all your plumbing service needs. We can help keep everything running smoothly.