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Going on a vacation is important as it helps you recharge. You may be ready to go on a week-long or month-long vacation but is your home ready too?

While it’s important to make sure that your home is secured, it’s just as important to check your plumbing before going on a vacation. Making sure that everything is okay will give you peace of mind.

You won’t have to worry about flooding that can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation. By hiring a plumber in Granbury, TX to help you check if everything is okay will give you a hassle-free and worry-free vacation.

Shut Off Water Supply

This should be the first thing that you need to do. It’s very easy and simple; you should not forget this before going on vacation. Otherwise, there could be a disaster. You might go home to an already flooded home.

Turning off the main water supply is important especially when you have faulty pipes or leaky plumbing fixtures. It will ensure that no water from your pipes will leak into your home and damage it.

Homeowners who have a sprinkler system may turn off the water of each individual fixture to avoid flooding. You can also hire a plumber in Granbury, TX to help you inspect your plumbing before going on vacation. A professional should be able to assure you that there is no need to worry.

Put this in your calendar and make this a priority as it’s highly important.

Turn Off or Drain Your Water Heater

If you have a conventional heater in your home, it would be best for you to either drain it or turn it off completely.

For homeowners who haven’t had annual maintenance for their water heater may call a plumber in Granbury, TX before they leave for a vacation so a plumber can thoroughly inspect if there are leaks in the water heater. They can also help you drain it. If you really do not have time for an inspection, you can always turn your water heater into a “vacation mode.”

Keep in mind that water heaters that run on either natural gas or electricity will consume energy. So turning them off will not only reduce your chances of flooding but can also lower your utility bill.

If you think you have a problem with the water heater, now’s the time to contact a plumber to get it fixed right away. Fixing it beforehand will not only give you peace of mind but you won’t have to worry about it when you get home. You can just talk about your vacation and get back to work or to your business.

When scheduling water heater maintenance, work only with a professional in Granbury, TX to make sure it’s done correctly.

Disconnect Your Hoses and Drain Outdoor Faucets

After turning off the main water supply, make sure that all of your faucets are turned off. Disconnect hoses too. You don’t want a flooded home after your vacation.

As a precaution, speak with a plumber in Granbury, TX so they can also inspect your entire plumbing just to ensure that you won’t go home and stress yourself with costly plumbing repairs or replacements. It’s always better when you know everything is fine and you won’t have to worry about anything during your vacation.

Perform a Sump Pump Test

This is highly important and must not be skipped. If you do not know how to perform a test or if you’re not sure you are doing it correctly, hire a plumber in Granbury, TX for assistance.

Testing your sump pump would ensure that your basement will not flood just in case there is a storm. The weather can be quite unpredictable and a lot can happen in a month or even in a week.

Remember that flooding can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation so it must be avoided at all cost.

To test your sump pump, you only need to pour at least a bucket of water into the sump pit and then make sure that it will pump the water away. When it doesn’t, call a plumber immediately so they can help you fix it.

Also — consider buying a backup battery pump just in case the power suddenly goes out while you are away. For further assistance, do not hesitate to contact a plumber in Granbury, TX.

Clean Drains

If you haven’t had professional drain cleaning, the best time would be before going on a long vacation. Why? Your drains may start to smell especially when there is already a minor clog. Your kitchen may have foul-smelling odors when you come home. And the worst thing that could happen is your home may be infested with pests because you failed to clean your drains.

As much as possible, hire a licensed plumber in Granbury, TX for a professional drain cleaning to ensure that your drains get a thorough cleaning. Plumbers have special tools that they can use to check whether your pipes are in good condition or not. They can actually help you resolve it. When you come home, the kitchen stays clean and dry, and fresh-smelling.

Do the same with your bathroom. Make sure they are thoroughly cleaned so you won’t have other problems when you come home.

Clean the Gutters

Make it a point to also remove all the debris and other dirt in your gutters to ensure that you won’t have problems with rainwater when you come home. Cleaning the gutters can prevent additional water from your roof to enter your home.

Do Yard Work

Before going on a vacation, make sure that you took care of all the visible tree roots in your yard. They may cause serious problems in your sewer line if you won’t do anything about them. If you’re not watering your yard while on vacation, make sure that you drain the sprinkler system. They need to be shut off completely.

Check Washing Machine Hoses

Do you still have those rubber hoses for your washing machine? Make sure that you periodically check them especially before going on vacation to ensure that it doesn’t have any cracks that may lead to a problem. It’s always better when these are taken care of so you won’t have to worry about them when you get home. If your hoses are over 3 or 5 years old, consider replacing them with stainless steel hoses. The latter are more durable and they last a lot longer than their counterparts. Call a plumber if you need help with the installation of new replacement hoses.

Make Sure Everything Is Dry

A few days before your vacation, consider hiring a plumber to check for leaks in your homes. It’s best that they are fixed immediately. A few hours or a day before your vacation, make sure that everything is dry.

If you have a swimming pool, make sure that you keep the pool pump on as turning it off can cause algae build-up. Call a plumber if you need more assistance with your swimming pool.

Insulate the Pipes

If you’re going away to a sunny place during the winter, make sure that there is no water in your pipes or they may freeze, expand and burst. That will only lead to costly replacements and then flooding.

What you can do is to insulate the pipes just to make sure that the water inside them does not freeze.

Ask a Friend to Check-in From Time to Time

If you will be away for months, it’s always a good idea to ask a friend to check your home periodically just to make sure that any issue is being taken care of. It’s even better if you can hire a plumber and have your friend contact this plumber to do an inspection of your home.

Any kind of water damage is not good for your home. So as much as possible, take care of your plumbing system. Do whatever it takes to protect your home.

Considering Installing Leak Detection Devices in Your Homes

To avoid flooding in your homes, contact a plumber for the installation of leak detection systems. With a leak detection device, you won’t have to worry about flooding in your homes ever again. Smart detectors can alert you if there is a leak or a possible leak in your home and they will automatically shut off the main water supply. Having them is is very convenient and it also gives the homeowners peace of mind. You can put these detectors in areas where flooding is likely to happen such as the water heater and the washing machine.

Advanced leak detection devices also have better features. If you want to know how else you can benefit from leak detection systems, make sure that you contact a professional in your area.

Leak detection systems do more than just prevent flooding but it also helps in ensuring you have clean water in your home. When there is a leak, contaminants may make their way into your pipes and to your faucets. With a device helping you detect a leak, a problem can then be resolved right away.

Installing detection systems can also prevent consequences that may be costly. Imagine when there is a leak in your home but you have no idea where it is. It may be too late when you find out. With a leak detection device, you are certain that leaks are identified and then fixed in a timely manner.

Preparing for Emergency Plumbing Situations During the Winter

The first thing you need to do is to check your pipes for possible leaks. Even a small amount of water can damage your home’s structure. Consider hiring a plumber so they can also check for those leaks that are not visible to you.

Professionals are equipped with tools and equipment that can help them detect leaks in your plumbing systems. If you do not have leak detection devices, then you definitely must hire a professional to do it for you.

As a homeowner, it’s also your responsibility to periodically check your plumbing systems for leaks. Inspect if there is standing water near your pipes, washing machines, water heater, refrigerator, and call a professional right away.

Check the walls if there are water spots in them so a professional can help you alleviate the problem. For toilet leaks, you will need to drop food coloring in the toilet tank, wait for 30 minutes, and check the toilet bowl. If the color of the water changes, then there is a leak.

Another way to find out that there is a leak in your plumbing is to check the water bill. If you suddenly have skyrocketing water bills, it is likely that you have a leak. Call a professional so they can do a thorough inspection of your plumbing.

If you are going away for the winter, make sure that all leaks are repaired and fixed. Minor leaks should be fixed immediately. Otherwise, you may forget about them or ignore them completely. Ignoring minor leaks can lead to major plumbing emergencies. If you do not want costly repairs or replacements, do not ignore minor plumbing problems in your homes.

Schedule Regular Plumbing Inspection

To ensure that your plumbing is in good working condition before and after a vacation, get a professional for a routine check-up. With regular inspection, any problems are diagnosed and fixed in a timely manner. If you are going on vacation, schedule the maintenance at least a few days before your vacation. Should there be problems, you have enough time to fix them.

Get in Touch With Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth

Are you looking for a plumber in Granbury, TX? Call us today so we can assist. Our professional team is more than happy to resolve all of your plumbing issues asap. Contact us today for an appointment.