Planning to go out of town?
Whether it’s a weekend trip or a six-month vacation, you’ll want to come home to a cozy (and dry) house.
Use our Pre-Vacation Plumbing Checklist to erase any worries you have about leaks, mold/mildew build-up, pipe bursts, or more.
Your Trip’s Length = Different Plumbing Checklists
Depending on the length of your trip, your checklist will be different. See our checklists for different trip lengths below!
Pro-tip: You should go through this plumbing checklist at least two weeks prior to your scheduled departure, as some issues could require an expert. If you have any questions, contact our team at Supreme PHC.
Short Getaway
The following checklist gives you everything you should check before leaving for any trip that lasts between one to five days.
1. Gutters
- Make sure debris are cleared from your gutters before leaving for your trip. This can prevent potential water damage while you’re away.
2. Appliances
- This may seem obvious, but never leave your appliances, like the washing machine or dishwasher, running while you’re away. Leave them open to air out and prevent mold and mildew build-up.
3. Drains
- Clear your sink drain and garbage disposal from any leftover food or moisture. Not doing so can cause bacteria to grow and a foul odor to emerge.
4. Leaks
- Checking for leaks before leaving can save you from a lot of water damage. However, not all leaks are visible. Contact our team to inspect for any leaks that may not be visible to you.
Your Yearly 1-3 Week Vacation
This checklist covers what you need to do to prepare for a trip ranging from one to three weeks. In addition to following steps 1-4 above, you should also address your home’s:
5. Main Water Supply
- Turning off the main water supply in your house can reduce the chance of flooding while you’re gone. However, if you have a sprinkler system that needs to run, you can turn off the water to individual appliances and locations and leave the water supply to the sprinklers on.
6. Water Heater
- Adjusting the temperature on your water heater will reduce your utility bills while you’re on vacation. Additionally, most water heaters have a “vacation mode,” so that you’re not heating water while you’re gone.
7. Sump Pump
- To test if your sump pump is working properly, pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. Make sure it turns on and pumps the water away. You should also have a backup battery pump, just in case the power goes out while you’re gone.
Need a plumbing fix before heading out on vacation? Contact the team at Supreme PHC today for 24/7 emergency service.
Extended Trip
This checklist will specifically address everything you need to do before taking a trip ranging from one month to a year (or more!).
In addition to following steps 1-7 above, you also need to address your home’s:
8. Pool Pumps
- If you have a pool, you should make sure your pump is working properly before leaving for any extended trip. If the pump does stop working, this can cause algae to grow, which is extremely difficult (and costly) to clean up.
9. Switch Off AC/ Heat
- If you’re leaving for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to switch off your AC or heat. This is to reduce energy consumption and lower your utility bills.
10. Gauges
- Keeping water moving through pipes is important when you’re leaving for an extended period of time. This will prevent gas from the sewer from traveling through the pipes into your house, which can wear down your pipes.
11. Have Someone Check In
- Having a neighbor, relative or friend come check on your house while you’re gone is always a good idea. Make sure they check your home’s plumbing and other maintenance that needs to be fixed.
Need a plumbing fix before heading out on vacation? Contact the team at Supreme PHC today for 24/7 emergency service.
Need Assistance Checking Off Your Pre-Vacation Plumbing Checklist?
Whether it’s plumbing, heating or cooling, we’re here to help.
Contact the plumbing experts at Supreme PHC— we’ll answer any questions you have, or help with any issues found during your vacation preparation. We’re committed to ensuring your peace of mind when it comes to your home’s systems while you’re on vacation.
