As Canadians enjoy the summer season, millions will be planning holiday breaks across the country and abroad. But, while organizing for a holiday is exciting, it can be easy to forget other important tasks in the process if we leave our homes in a rush.
According to an expert from HomeStars.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, returning from vacation to a plumbing disaster is more common than we realize and, in most cases, completely avoidable.
As prepping for summer vacation takes over, statistics show that nearly a quarter (25 per cent) of Canadian houses need minor repairs. As a result, many return to at least one household disaster, with nearly a tenth experiencing no hot water after arriving back from their travels.
There are also several other issues that are made much worse by absence, such as burst or clogged pipes, leaking toilets, or dripping showers. And while these are already urgent problems even when you are at home, they become even more serious if left unattended for days, or even weeks.
Colleen McGrory, from HomeStars.com, said completing a series of checks takes just a few minutes of your time, and will help prevent you coming back home to a plumbing nightmare.
“Millions of Canadians will be going on holiday this summer, and while any break is exciting, it’s not always easy to remember to check your home before you leave. Plumbing issues can especially be a nightmare, as even the most minor of problems can escalate quickly if they’re not fixed. The last thing you’ll want is to return home to damages worth thousands of dollars.
“While you can’t spot everything, there are many things you can do before you go away. It’s highly recommended that you switch your water off before you go. It’s not just the safest way to ensure no plumbing disaster; it also may save you a bit of money on bills, too. You should also check for leaks, make sure your taps and shower heads are all fully switched off, and ensure no drains are blocked. These jobs all take just a few minutes, and may prevent long-term harm to your home.
“By completing maintenance checks now, you can spend your trip relaxing, rather than worrying over potential damage.”
Here is HomeStars.com’s essential pre-holiday plumbing checklist:
Check for drain blockage
Drains are more likely to block during the summer, often due to them being used more frequently for cold showers and the filling of paddling and swimming pools. To spot that your drain may be blocked, keep an eye out for foul smells, resurfacing water, showers/sinks/toilets draining more slowly, and gurgling sounds when running a tap or flushing a toilet. If you notice any of these signs, fix them immediately. Failure to get a plumber to fix your drains could result in moisture and mould on the interiors of your home, pest invasion and health risks, alongside heavy costs to repair the damage.
Switch off your washing machine and dishwasher
It’s essential to switch off these types of appliances while you’re away, as any problems with leaking could present not only a mess, but a fire risk. Let them run before ensuring all water has drained out, air them out if possible, then switch them off. Leave the doors open so they can dry, which will prevent mould and mildew building up before your return.
Check your toilets
Before you go away, check your toilets for leaks. Your toilet may have a leak if water is trickling at the back, there is moisture on the surrounding floor or around the base, or there is condensation on nearby pipes. If you notice any of these flags, sort the problem out immediately. Failure to get a plumber to fix a leak could waste hundreds of dollars worth of water, and could also cause significant damage to the surrounding floor and walls.
Check for leaks and cracks
Radiators are a common source of leaks. Leaks from a radiator, water running down from a radiator, damp or discoloured patches in your ceiling, walls or your floor are obvious signs of a plumbing issue (e.g. a damaged valve) that needs immediate fixing. This could become a serious issue, as water in your walls or ceilings could eventually lead to weakening and caving in. Always call a plumber if you notice this problem; don’t leave it while you go away!
Switch off your water supply
Ultimately, water leaks are one of the most common disasters that a homeowner can return to after vacation. That’s why it’s important to switch off your main water supply. Typically, you will locate your main shut-off valve under your kitchen sink. You will need to turn it clockwise to switch your water supply off. This step is the best way to prevent leaks, bursts and flooding, which will damage your home.
Give a key to a trusted person to access your house
If you’re going away for a week or more, it may make sense to ask a friend or neighbour to do a quick visit to your home. If a problem is found, then they can call a tradesperson to fix it and repair any damage, which would hopefully be minimal if the home has been regularly checked.
Take care when you get back home
When you get back, you’ll want to return your home to service-as-usual. If you’ve switched your water off, there are a few things to be aware of. After you turn your valve counter-clockwise to get it back on, your taps may not start running right away. That is because the water will need to run through your pipes again, so it may take a few minutes before everything returns to normal. Be prepared for your taps to splutter for a few minutes at first. Let them run for a few minutes anyway to make sure any debris is cleared out through the taps.
