How To Prevent Water Damage When You’re on Vacation

12/31/2021 (Permalink)

Insulate your pipes.

When You're On Vacation, Here's How To Avoid Water Damage

Nothing ruins a great family vacation faster than coming home to a flooded house and an emergency water pipe repair. There’s not much you can do about coastal storm surge or an overflowing river, but there are many types of flooding you can prevent. With a little bit of planning and forethought, you can reduce your chances of needing to call a water damage mitigation specialist in Broadview, MT, your first night home.

1. Have Your Plumber Do a Maintenance Check

You don’t have to wait until there’s a crisis to have a professional check your pipes and supply lines. A plumber can tell you about any potential problems so you can deal with water pipe repair and upgrades before you leave.

2. Insulate Your Pipes

If you expect freezing temperatures at home while you’re away, insulate your pipes. This prevents them from freezing and bursting while you’re gone. Focus on pipes in uninsulated parts of your home that are likely to be exposed to outside temperatures.

3. Turn Off Your Water

You can also turn off your home’s water supply at the main. Then open up all the water taps in your house and let them drain. This ensures you won’t have any plumbing-related floods while you’re gone.

4. Clean Your Gutters and Drains

Make sure to clean your gutters, drains and downspouts before you leave town. That way if there are heavy rains in your absence, the water will be directed away from your home. This makes leaks less likely.

5. Back Up Your Sump Pump

If there’s a power outage during a storm, your sump pump may not be able to handle a rising water table. By connecting your sump pump to a backup generator or getting a battery-powered pump, you can avoid coming home to your basement under water.

Taking the time to prep your house before you leave on vacation can save you from coming home to an emergency water pipe repair. While a water damage mitigation specialist in Broadview, MT, can handle the cleanup if the worst occurs, it’s better if you don’t have to call for help.