Sure, you might be ready for drain maintenance, emergency services, drips and leaks, but are you ready for preventative vacation care? Eventually, you’ll leave home. Summertime is busy, and no one deserves to look over their shoulder, every minute, to wait for disaster.
If you’ve packed your suitcases, have planned for the pets and are ready to head out of town, you should take a moment to consider your home’s plumbing situation. To avoid unnecessary drain maintenance, sewer repair and bathroom remodels, you should expand your home’s protection factor by taking the following summer vacation prevention tips:
Tip One: Leave the Toilet Seat Up
It might sound like a small step, but leaving your toilet’s seat up is necessary to reduce grime, secure water flow and cut down on air circulation. To reduce bowl and pipe scum, give your toilet a good scrub down. Then, leave the lid up before departing for the weekend, week or month. You’ll be surprised by how much scum reduction occurs, and your pipes will thank you in the long run.
Tip Two: Flush the Septic System
If your home runs on a septic system, you should flush it monthly. That said, you should also flush it just before you head out of town. Take charge with your product from Steve’s Plumbing & Heating, and give your septic system a good wash the night before your trip. Simply pour your septic system treatment product down the toilet, flush and be reassured. While stagnant septic systems, over time, promote grime buildup and clogged pipes, a preemptively cleaned system can create a crystal clear environment during long trips.
Tip Three: Drain the Garden Hoses
Again, you’re targeting stagnant water. Before you leave, fully drain your garden hoses. Additionally, empty your outdoor water containers. If your garden hoses have stagnant water, they’ll breed mosquitos. While the chance of back-system contamination is low, you should still take charge in protecting every end. In general: Any water supplies exposed to outdoor areas should be prioritized, emptied and secured before you go away.
Tip Four: Move Your Washing Machine Forward
In a lot of cases, your laundry room should be safe from damages. That said, kinked washing machine hoses do occur, and they can back up your home’s water lines, cause pipe splits and create massive leaks. Before leaving, move your washing unit at least three to four inches from the wall. You might not notice any kinks now, but you’re also running your device frequently.
Check with your professional maintenance provider, and always stay up to date with energy options. Be informed, be proactive and protect your home’s plumbing system from afar.