Imagine arriving home from an exquisite vacation in Hawaii only to find that your home has been damaged by water. How did this happen? Did you leave a faucet running? Or did a pipe burst? Whatever the cause, the damage is done.
Vacations are certainly a great way to enjoy some time off from work and relax with your family or friends. The last thing you want after returning from a relaxing vacation is a flooded home. Therefore, we recommend you take these precautions before leaving for a trip to so that your home is safe from flooding while you are away.
Things You Can Do to Prevent Water Damage While You Are Away
Turn off Your Main Water Supply
Make sure to turn off the main water supply line of your home before you head out on your trip. If you cannot turn it off for some reason, such as you need to keep the sprinkler system running, then turn off individual valves to your laundry room, kitchen, and bathrooms. In the event a pipe bursts in one of these rooms, water will not keep flowing for days and thus your home will be safe from damage.
Check the Sump Pump
Sump pumps are extremely useful as they collect excess water in the basement and pump it out. If you have one installed, make sure to check it before leaving on a vacation. Make sure it is in working order, otherwise, rainwater will accumulate in your basement, potentially causing a flooded basement and structural damage.
To check your sump pump, pour a small amount of water into the sump. If the water is pumped out, it means that your sump pump is operating properly. If you have a backup system for your sump pump in case of an electrical breakdown, make sure that the battery of the system is fully charged.
Clean the Gutters
When your gutters are clogged, the rainwater will not drain away from your home properly. Instead, it might start accumulating around your home and the water might enter the home through the basement windows or walls. Therefore, before you go on a vacation, clean the gutters properly and make sure that there are no leaves and debris that could hinder the flow of water in the gutters.
Get Leaks Fixed
You may ignore minor leaks thinking that they cannot do serious damage. However, these small leaks can actually cause significant damage to your home if they are overlooked. While you are away, the leak may grow bigger and potentially cause flooding of your property. This is why you should get these leaks fixed before leaving for a vacation.
Final Thoughts
We have discussed some important things you should do to prevent damage to your home while you are away on vacation. However, even when you take these precautionary measures, your home can still suffer from water damage. If that happens, call the water damage restoration experts atSTOP Restoration (S.T.O.P.). We offer 24/7 emergency services in the Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. You can call us at 844-777-STOP to set up an appointment for an estimate. If you need immediate emergency services, please call and we will arrive at your doorstep with the required equipment to complete the drying and dehumidifying process.
