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A vacation is the best way to unwind, but if you return home to a utility, flooding, or plumbing problem, it can quickly eliminate that relaxed mood. There are a lot of issues that can arise while you are away like a pipe burst flooding your home or a leaky tap causing an increase in your water bill.

To save yourself from high costs, potential headaches, and a huge mess, it is better to take the advice of plumbers in Arlington, TX. You will want to secure all the utilities in your house before you leave so that you don’t return to a disaster.

You can use the checklist below so that you leave the house in a way that there is no risk to your home.

1.     Turn Off the Main Water Supply

Plumbers in Arlington, TX, recommend that you turn off the water supply to your home. A lot of incidents like leaks and pipe bursts are because people leave the valve open. In most homes, the main water supply valve looks like a lever or a wheel and is usually placed in the basement. Make sure you check that the valve has been closed securely by running the tap after you close it.

This will ensure that even if a fitting comes loose or a pipe bursts, there will be no leakage of water. This can prevent a lot of structural damage since pipe bursts can flood the floor and walls. Water flooding can cause them to shift or crack which increases the repair and maintenance costs for you. According to expert plumbers in Arlington, TX, it is better to switch off the main water valve so that you can decrease the risk of water theft, save money, and conserve water.

There are some appliances and systems in your home that will need water even while you are gone like the sprinkler system. You may need to turn off appliances one by one in such cases since you can’t switch off the main valve. This will reduce water usage in the home and decrease the chance of flooding.

You will need to shut off all the following items:

• Ice maker
• Outside faucet
• Pool pump
• Toilets
• Showers
• Clothes washer
• Sinks
• Water heater
• Swamp Coolers
• Hot tub
• Dishwasher

2.     Gauges

Pipes need running water if you are leaving for a longer period of more than two weeks. This reduces the risk of sewer gases entering the pipes. The accumulation of such harmful gases can cause an unpleasant smell in the house and corrode the pipes. Plumbers in Arlington, TX, suggest that the pipes and fixtures can become cracked from the disuse as well.

If you are leaving for a really long time then you can ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on the house. They can help by turning on the water so that the system runs smoothly even when you return. Do make sure that you show them where to switch the main valve on and off from.

3.     Pool Pumps

If you have a swimming pool in your home, plumbers in Arlington, TX, recommend leaving the pool pump on. Stagnant water can develop algae which can be really hard to clean. If you turn from vacation to an algae-filled pool, it will surely ruin your day. It has a really foul smell and is really difficult to clean. You will have to drain the pool complete and scrub every inch of the surface to remove all the slime.

You can also call plumbers in Arlington, TX, to install newer versions of pumps before you leave. These come with low settings that don’t waste power but also keep the algae away. You can also ask a friend to turn the pool pump on a couple of times while you are away.

4.     Preventing Leaks

It is also important to ensure that you don’t waste water accidentally. According to expert plumbers in Arlington, TX, around one trillion gallons of water are wasted due to household leaks in the United States alone. If you don’t have any leaky faucets, you actually end up saving 10% in water bills.

It is vital that you make sure every faucet in your house is closed. You will have to check all the toilets, sinks, and showers to ensure that you have no leaks. You can also check whether the flush is leaving by adding a few drops of food coloring to the flush tank. It will seep into the toilet if the flush is leaking.

5.     Switch Off the Water Heater

Water heaters use a lot of energy and water. If you are leaving on a vacation, it is important to switch the water heater off if you want to save money in bills. It is also more environmentally friendly to save water and energy.

It also reduces the risk of flooding and fires if you turn the appliance off. You don’t want any incidents taking place while you are away from the house.

6.     Hire a Professional for Inspections

It is also a good idea to hire expert plumbers in Arlington, TX, to inspect your house before you leave for vacation. They can guide you on the best way to leave your home so that you don’t have any problems when you return.

Experts can also make any repairs to leaky faucets, switch off your appliances, and close the main water supply as needed. This means that you can have some peace of mind as you leave for your much-needed vacation. Call professionals like Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to inspect your home.