Maybe you’re enjoying a skiing trip with your family or you escaped to a warmer climate and plan to have fruity drinks on the beach. Wherever your winter vacation destination is, the ideal trip is one where you can leave behind any worries at home.
No one wants the nightmare of coming home to maintenance problems in your home after a relaxing trip. Avoid the concern of having frozen and burst pipes by taking a few extra steps before you leave for vacation.
1. Turn Off Water
Especially for longer trips where there won’t be any water flow through your pipes for a while, it’s best to fully shut off the main water line in your home until you return. Identify where the water valve is in your home and securely shut it off right before you leave for your winter vacation.
2. Drain Pipes
If you turn off the water supply in your home, ensure that you also drain all the pipes to remove potential water. Any plumbing that has exposed outdoor pipes can freeze if there is any leftover water sitting.
3. Open Cabinets
Before your winter vacation, open up the cabinets underneath your kitchen, laundry, and bathroom sinks. Though this may seem like an odd step, it can help warm air to circulate your indoor plumbing, preventing freezing.
4. Keep Heat Running
Though some families like to lower the temperature in their house or fully turn off the heating before they leave on a vacation, it’s best to maintain a reasonable internal temperature during the winter. Setting the thermostat to above 55°F (13°C) will help keep the plumbing at a warm enough temperature that you won’t have to worry about coming back to frozen pipes.
5. Insulate Pipes
Another trick for winter vacation preparation is to insulate your pipes before heading out the door. Any exposed pipes could benefit from some insulation, like foam wrapping, heated cables, or heat tape, which can keep your pipes warm enough to minimize freezing.
6. Adjust Water Heater
If you plan to be gone for a short period of time, then it may be beneficial to put your water heater to “vacation mode”, which lowers the heating temperature and saves energy. If you plan to have a longer winter vacation, you may want to consider shutting off the water heater completely. This is also a good idea if you plan to turn off the main water supply.
7. Check for Leaks
Any unknown leaks in your plumbing system can be extremely problematic if left unattended. Before you leave for your winter vacation, check for leaks and cracks behind appliances, around toilets, and under sinks to ensure a relaxing return home. If you do find any problems, seal cracks and drips to prevent water damage.
8. Ask a Friend to Check In
While you are gone, it might be a good idea to have a friend or neighbor occasionally check in on your home to make sure there are no problems. Especially for longer trips when you won’t be able to keep an eye on the property for a while, it’s helpful to ask someone to house sit and make you aware if any plumbing issues arise.
9. If Needed, Drip Faucets
For shorter trips, like over the weekend, you may benefit from simply dripping your faucets. Having a little bit of running water through pipes, especially those that are exposed, can prevent freezing and bursting pipes. Turn any faucets to occasionally drip before you leave on your vacation.
10. Clean Drains
If unused for a period of time, drains can clog, dry out, or produce odors. To avoid coming home to an unpleasant smell in your home, give your drains a good clean. A simple solution is to do a once over with vinegar and baking soda to break down anything stuck in the drains. If any drains are seldom used, it may be beneficial to pour a small amount of vegetable oil down the drain to prevent drying out.
Kick Back & Relax
Though you can do your best to prep your plumbing for vacation mode, it’s especially helpful to know that you have someone who can help even if something does go wrong. At S&B Plumbing, we offer 24/7 plumbing assistance so even burst pipes and frozen water lines have no chance at ruining your winter vacation. Give us a call or fill out our online form to let us know how we can help give you peace of mind.
