With the holiday travel season, many of us will be away from home for several days, or even weeks. We’re planning travel schedules, crafting holiday menus and shopping for gifts—not thinking about our water pipes.
But with colder temperatures and unattended houses, we risk walking back into our homes after the holidays to find several inches of water and a massive restoration project waiting for us.
Reduce the chance of coming back to a disaster. Add these eight things to your pre-vacation checklist.
1. Shut off the main water valve.
This is the easiest way to prevent any water damage. If the water is off, you won’t come home to flooded basements and burst pipes.
Need help finding your main water valve? We’ve got you covered. Learn what to do if you have trouble finding your water valve, and how to turn your water back on when you get home.
Remember: if your main valve won’t turn off, don’t force it. You risk damaging the pipes and actually causing water damage instead of preventing it. Call a professional plumber to replace the valve.
2. Inspect your appliances and fixtures for any signs of damage.
Check your pipes, the water heater and other appliances, and the external structure of your home. If you notice any signs of aging, or wear and tear, complete repairs or replacements before you leave.
3. Check your supply lines for leaks.
Inspect all lines and hoses attached to major appliances, such as your dishwasher. Replace any old or damaged hoses. If you’ve got plastic lines, upgrade to stainless steel.
4. Protect any exposed pipes.
Add insulation to any exposed pipes if the weather could drop below freezing while you’re away. Leave your HVAC system on to reduce the risk of frozen pipes.
5. Examine windows and doors for any gaps or cracks.
Check all your doors and windows for gaps or cracks, and repair them before you leave. You’d hate to come back and find a leaky door and a nasty storm left puddles all over your living room floor.
6. Clean your gutters.
Blocked gutters can cause a lot of water damage issues, so give them a quick inspection before you leave to make sure they’re clear. And if they’re not, clean them up!
7. Ask a friend or neighbor to check on your home while you’re gone.
If you don’t want to shut off your water and you’re going to be out of town for more than a couple of days, ask someone you trust to check on your house.
Show them where the water main and primary shut-off valve are located so the water can be shut off if a pipe bursts or an appliance is leaking.
Also, let your friend or neighbor know to call Burggraf Restoration if water damage does happen. With our years of experience, we’ll get you cleaned up fast!
8. Add Burggraf Restoration Emergency Hotline to your phone
Add Burggraf’s hotline to your phone, so you can call right away if something goes wrong: 918-584-3737
Plan Ahead & Avoid Water Damage
With these steps, you’ll greatly reduce the risk of frozen pipes, or leaky appliances bringing a massive post-holiday headache.
And if you do end up with water damage, give Burggraf a call. We’ve got your back!