It’s that time of year again! As many travel to spend the holidays with family, they’re “Dreaming of a White Christmas”– not a wet one. But with temperatures being a lot lower than they were during your last road trip, the risk of water damage is higher. Don’t be left with a flooded house as a welcome home gift. Follow the steps below to dampen your chances of damage.
Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to take your trustworthy neighbor or close friend up on their giving spirit this time of year. It never hurt to have an extra set of eyes looking after your property’s safety, and if damage does occur, it’s better to know sooner rather than later. ’Tis the season after all, right?
Shut Off Main Water Supply
Avoid major pipe leaks by stopping water at its source. If you don’t have anyone housesitting for you, shut off the main water valve, and let all taps run for about 10 minutes to release pressure. If you followed our advice and enlisted the help of a friend though, you may not want to completely turn off water if it will be needed. In that case, be selective with your supply lines you shut down. And as a pro tip, don’t forget your dishwasher and washing machine!
Improve Insulation
If you have the budget, additional insulation is the gift that keeps on giving! Further insulating your home, especially in areas that lose heat like your attic and basement, can not only protect your pipes during the holiday season, but can also serve as a good long-term investment in stabilizing future heating and cooling costs.
Test Your Sump Pump
If you live in a flood zone, you know how important a sump pump is. So take care of it! Before you head out of town, dump a bucket of water down the pump hole. If it automatically turns on and begins pushing out water, it’s working. If it doesn’t, double check that it’s plugged in (a surprisingly common occurrence) and make sure the breaker is working. Clean the discharge line, and verify the pump’s motor is running smoothly, and you should be good to go.
Heat Your Home
You don’t need to keep your home at a comfortable living temperature while you’re away, but that doesn’t mean to turn your heater off completely either. Instead, set your thermostat to about 60° to protect your energy bills and your pipes during freezing temperatures.
Inspect Your Home
We know that you have a mile-long list of “to dos” before you hit the road, but we have one more to add to it– inspection. Don’t worry you’ll thank us later! Taking the time to check and clean your gutters and downspouts can save you thousands of dollars in potential storm and water damage while you’re away.
While we hope that these protection tips help, we also know that water damage can steal Christmas faster than the Grinch ever hoped to. If you have water damage in your home during the holiday season (or any season), call in the pros– Pro Service Builders.