Taking a summer vacation is a popular pastime among individuals and families. Traveling during the summer allows you to enjoy the warm weather and outdoor activities in a new location. If you have kids, you might plan your trips around when they’re out of school, and summer is usually a time that children have off. But the last thing you want to worry about is coming home to major destruction in your living space. Check out these tips to prevent water damage from happening at your home while you’re on vacation.
Clean Out the Gutters
Clogs in your gutters can cause water to pool on the roof, which can then cause the materials to leak. A functional drainage system is a must for any home, and keeping up with the necessary maintenance is something you can’t afford to ignore. If you don’t want to clean the gutters yourself, consider hiring a professional or investing in gutter guards to prevent debris from collecting in them.
Do a Thorough Checkup of the Home
Water damage is not always easy to spot, especially if it’s in an area of the home that you don’t access as often, like an attic, basement, or crawlspace. Before you head out on a trip, perform a thorough checkup of all the plumbing components and appliances that use water.
Check the pipes under your sinks for signs of leaks, ensure that all your windows and exterior doors are properly sealed, and look for signs of roof leaks. Be sure to inspect the hoses that connect to your appliances, such as your washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator to look for signs of wear or leaking.
Hire a Housesitter
Having someone check in on the home every few days can make a big difference if a leak occurs or a major storm causes significant water damage. If you don’t want to hire someone to stay at your house for the entire time you’ll be gone, you could just ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pop in once or twice. If they notice any issues with moisture damage or leaking, they can take action right away and potentially minimize the extent of the problem.
Shut Off Water Supply
If you don’t have a housesitter but want to reduce the risk of a leak, consider shutting off the water supply to any appliances that don’t need to run while you’re gone. You might shut off the supply to the toilets, washing machine, refrigerator, and dishwasher to prevent any of these items from leaking and causing issues. This is a good alternative to shutting off the entire water supply, which would impact your outdoor irrigation system.
Taking steps to reduce the risk of water damage is the best way to protect your home. Water is extremely damaging and can increase the risk of mold growth, so it’s not something you want flowing throughout your living space. If you do experience a flood in your home, make sure to bring in an experienced water damage restoration specialist to deal with the problem.
