3 Plumbing Priorities Before You Leave for Vacation

If you’re planning a holiday and will be away for a while, it may be wise to complete some plumbing tasks before you head out. Not only will this save you money, but it will also prevent any property damage from occurring while you’re away. Here are 3 plumbing priorities before you leave for vacation

These simple plumbing tasks don’t take long to complete and save you from future unforeseen expenses due to plumbing issues. By taking care of your plumbing requirements before you go on a holiday, you can enjoy your vacation without having to worry about coming back home to burst pipes or leaks. 

In this article, we discuss the top three plumbing priorities before you leave for vacation.

1. Turn Off the Water Supply 

The first thing to do before you head out for a holiday is to turn off the main water supply. Doing so may reduce the risk of any potential accidents that may occur due to burst pipes or major leaks. By turning off the main water supply, you’re preventing water from entering your house. 

While you’re away, a burst pipe may lead to water clogging, which can damage the infrastructure of your house, causing mold growth and infestation. To ensure that the water supply has been completely cut off, turn up the faucets and drain the remaining water out. 

If you’re away for a while, consider turning off individual valves like that of your washing machine, toilets, and kitchen to avoid water from stagnating in the pipes. This will ensure that there are no foul smells or bacteria in the pipes when you come back from your vacation. 

2. Check Your Yard  

Before you go on vacation, make sure to check your yard for any visible tree root intrusions on your sewer line. This is especially necessary if you’re going to be away for a long time as the tree root may grow considerably and cause serious damage to your sewer line. 

Make sure there aren’t any tree root intrusions on your sewer lines, if you do see them, consider getting them removed immediately before your holiday to avoid any damage. You may call for professional plumbing in Fairfax for tasks like these.

Ensure that you shut the valve of your sprinkler system in the yard. To keep it completely dry while you’re away, drain the sprinkler system. It’s important to shut off the sprinkler system completely as even small water leaks and drips for a long period can considerably add to your water bills. 

3. Check Your Fixtures and Appliances 

Make sure that all the faucets in your home are drained and tightly closed.

To prevent foul smells from emanating from the drains when you come back, make sure to run some cold water through your garbage disposal. This will wash away any food particles stuck down the drains, thus leaving your drains clean.

Moreover, ensure that your home appliances like your washing machine and dishwasher are empty and dry. This will prevent any mold infestations or foul smells from occurring. Keeping your appliances dry will also prevent them from corrosion. 

Do a visual check of your water heater to ensure that there are no leaks that need repairing. Remember to shut off the water heater before leaving as this could considerably increase your electricity bill. 

However, if you’re living in an area with extreme weather conditions and often face the problem of frozen pipes, it may be advisable to leave your water heater on. To prevent a spike in your electricity bills, set your water heater on vacation mode. This will keep it operating but at a lower intensity. 

Conclusion

Taking care of these plumbing tasks before you go on your vacation will keep your home safe from any damage caused by burst pipes or leaks. A quick check of your appliances will ensure that they don’t turn into a breeding ground for bacteria, and are clean and odorless when you return.

Draining the water from the individual faucets and fixtures will make sure that there’s no remaining water in the pipes that could otherwise turn stagnant and give off a foul smell. 

Before you leave for your holiday, make sure to also do a thorough check of your yard and ensure that there are no tree root intrusions in your sewer lines. Remember to also shut off the sprinkler valve to prevent huge water bills. 

Finally, make sure to ask your neighbor or family member to visit and check on your house once in a while so any plumbing emergencies can be quickly looked into while you’re away. By doing this, you can enjoy your holiday without having to worry about your home.

The Consequences of Poor Plumbing

Good plumbing is among one of the most important aspects of home care. A good plumbing system ensures you have an excellent and potable water system in your home. Fortunately, plumbing services are now made more accessible thanks to the Internet. Websites like https://lonestarplumbing.ca/ by Lone Star Plumbing and others make it easy for homeowners to get excellent service at their fingertips.

Just like any other job, if plumbing is done wrong, it will produce undesirable results. Poor plumbing will not only affect your house aesthetically but can also put your family’s health in danger. If you fail to conduct proper research and you’re unable to find a suitable plumber to handle the problem, this may end up costing you even more money, as you will have to spend more to deal with the consequences of a faulty plumbing job.

That said, it would be a good idea to ask friends or family for referrals, or to browse the internet to find a prospective plumber near you. Look for ones with reliable websites, like https://www.mrrooter.com/dallas/ and others, so you can get essential information regarding their services and rates. It wouldn’t be ideal to hire a plumber when you’re uncertain about the quality of their work.

So choose your plumber wisely, as facing the following consequences can be a nightmare if not addressed immediately.

Clogged Drains

This is among the most visible sign of lousy plumbing. Of course, it can mean other things, but if you notice that your drains are clogged just after a few days of a plumbing job, then there may be something more to it.

Clogged drains are not only nasty to look at, but they can also be toxic. Addressing this matter as soon as it arises is crucial for a healthy home. The first step in solving this problem is to know the cause and removing it immediately. Here are the things that may be clogging your drains:

• Hair – Hair in drains is easy to remove, but if not addressed properly, it can cause persistent problems.
• Plants – Plant debris from falling leaves can also clog outside drains.
• Grease – Over time, your kitchen sink may have grease and fat buildup that can clog the drain.
• Foreign objects – Toys, soap bars, and sanitary products are dropped accidentally on toilets, which can create clogging.

Problems with Fixtures

Aside from clogged drains, a bad plumbing job can also result in many problems with your fixtures. Some of the issues are as follows:

Low water pressure – This problem can be caused by a lot of things, but if you’ve recently had a plumbing job, this could be a problem with the regulator. Adjust it accordingly to increase water pressure or have it checked by the plumber who installed it.

Water leaks – A poorly installed fixture will most likely have leaks. Contact your plumber to fix this problem before it gets worse.

More than proper installation, be sure to buy quality fixtures as this saves you more money on future repairs or replacement.

Contaminated water

A plumbing system consists of two kinds of pipes, namely, the sewage pipes and the fresh water pipes. The last thing you want is for the water flowing from one of these pipes to enter the other.

Water contamination can pose dangerous health risks if not addressed immediately. If your water is contaminated, you or your family members may end up suffering from immediate issues, such as diarrhea, dehydration, eye and skin irritation, stomach pains, and intestinal cramps. Moreover, depending on the level of water contamination, you may develop serious long-term effects, such as poisoning and infections.

Water contamination can pose dangerous health risks if not addressed immediately. There are water contaminants that may not be visible to the naked eye. Be mindful of the color and smell of the water that comes out of your faucets after plumbing repairs and installations

Mold

This is among the worst things that can happen from poor plumbing. Small plumbing leaks can cause mold growth in your walls without you even noticing it.

Molds are a health risk. They can grow on your walls, on your pipes, and even on household items. When inhaled, molds can result in respiratory problems and allergic reactions. If you see an increased presence of mold in one area of your house, this may be a result of water leaks.

Aside from calling your plumber to fix the leak that’s causing mold growth, remove molds as they appear using the following house items:

• Baking soda – Put some baking soda and water in a sprayer bottle and use it on your walls. Scrub the walls and rinse with water.
• Vinegar – The high acidity content of vinegar effectively kills molds. Pour vinegar on moldy fixtures and drains to clean them.
• Bleach – Use gloves when handling bleach solution. Spray bleach on moldy areas and let it sit for at least 5 minutes before rinsing with clean water.
• Hydrogen peroxide – A quick visit to your medicine cabinet will help you clean off any mold. Pour hydrogen peroxide down your drain to clean residue buildup.

Flooding

In some cases, small plumbing leaks can quickly become a major issue. For example, water leaks from burst pipes can result in flooding and cause damage to your floors, furniture, walls, and other valuable possessions.

Unfortunately, dealing with water damage can be challenging, especially if you have no idea where to start. It can also be costly, as you may have to replace all items damaged by the flood, as well as repair the structural integrity of your property.

Hence, to prevent possible flooding and water damage, you’ll need the assistance of a plumbing professional to assess and fix pipe problems right away.

Conclusion

 Nowadays, it can be challenging to find a professional you can trust mostly because there are just so many choices available out there. Find a professional that has a proven track record and someone who offers after-sales services in case something needs repair. The plumbing system in your home is like the blood vessels in your body; they also need proper care and maintenance. Only choose a trustworthy and seasoned plumber to take care of your home.

Top Plumbing Guide On How To Help Maintain Your Plumbing Maintenance

Good plumbing maintenance is required for homeowners as water is one of our necessities. Usual plumbing issues include leaks and clogs, and also frozen pipes occurring during winter. If your plumbing system is well-maintained, the less likely you’ll encounter problems. To give you a clue of what proper plumbing maintenance looks like, read the following helpful tips.

 

Repair leaks immediately

 

Once you detect a leak, don’t put it on hold for a few days. If it’s a minor leak, you can do the repairing yourself using a quick tightening fix. If it needs the service of a professional plumber, contact one ASAP. Not only is it a good practice, but it’s also a great way to prevent future major issues from developing.

 

Insulate your pipes

 

As mentioned, one common issue come winter is frozen pipes. To prevent this from happening, make sure to insulate them. With frozen pipes, you have difficulty with water supply, not to mention they can explode, too. Save yourself some costly repairs by being proactive and wrapping your pipes with some insulation.

 

Use filters/strainers

 

Food pieces and other tiny particles can accumulate and clog your pipes, so it’s good practice to use strainers to catch them. Once the strainer has collected a lot of debris, remove and clean it immediately.

 

Grease and oil out of the sink

 

To avoid clogs, keep grease and oil away from the pipes. Grease and oil, when thrown on the sink and into the pipes, can harden and accumulate, causing clogs and eventually restricted water flow or decreased water pressure.  

 

Clean drains using baking soda and vinegar

 

We bet you have these ingredients in your own kitchen! With just vinegar and baking soda, you can maintain clean and clear pipes. This home remedy is so simple: take one cup of baking soda and vinegar and let it run down the drain. To prevent clogs, do this easy trick once a month.

 

Get an expert to check your plumbing system regularly

 

Regular maintenance checkup is essential for a good functioning plumbing system. Professional plumbers can detect small, hidden problems in your pipes and drains, so make sure you let them inspect your system on a regular basis. This may be a bit expensive but a great way to save some cash supposedly bound for repairs.

To prevent plumbing issues, make sure to maintain your plumbing system. Good maintenance will help you avoid future expenses should there be a major pipe problem in your home. To get professional help today, don’t hesitate to contact Advanced Plumbing. Remember, a well-functioning plumbing system leads to less stress and expenses!

 

Gregory Mills is a contributor for Advanced Plumbing Drains and Heating, and he is known for his unique and creative take on his pieces. As a writer, he understands the need for content to be interesting and informative at the same time, and as such Gregory always tries to find ways to make his pieces something his readers would appreciate. He loves grilling when he has the time.