How to avoid water damage during vacation season
Summer may be vacation season but it does not mean that a home may not sustain water damage. When the homeowner is not at home, there is a huge chance that water damage may occur. This is because unsupervised home systems may falter and could cause problems.
Home improvement website The Family Handyman advises homeowners to turn off their main water valve before they live their home for a vacation. At least, this move ensures that a major water damage will not occur since the main water supply has been turned off already.
“Shutting off the main valve that controls all the water for your home is the best protection against catastrophic water damage. Everyone in your home should know where the main water shutoff valve is located so they can stop the water in an emergency. And you should turn it off whenever you leave home, even overnight. If you’re not sure where it is, look for your water meter; the main shutoff will be located nearby.”
The rest of their advice can be found here.
What to do before leaving home
The website Popular Mechanics also shared tips on avoiding water damage while away from home. In the article that they have published, one of the tips that they shared is to pour anti-freeze unto the toilet bowl prior to leaving so that it will not crack should the water freeze.
“Lastly, one for winter travelers: As noted previously, you’ll want to turn off the water to the house before you depart. If you’re traveling in wintertime, flush the toilets to drain the water in the tanks. That way, in case your furnace stops working, the water in the tanks won’t freeze, expand, and crack the porcelain. But even if you flush the toilet after you shut off the water supply, you’ll still end up with some water in the toilet bowl. The solution? Antifreeze.”
The rest of their advice can be found here.
Preventing water damage
USA Today also has tips for travelers who are leaving their homes for some time. In their tips to prevent water damage, they underscored the importance of undertaking thorough checks around the house before leaving.
“According to the Insurance Information Institute, the second most common homeowners’ insurance claim is water damage to houses. Leaking pipes and appliances, and damage caused by storms and freezing conditions cause millions of dollars worth of damage every year. If a pipe leaks or bursts while you are on vacation, water can destroy carpets and furniture and even compromise the structural integrity of your walls or foundation. Before leaving your home for more than a few days, prep your house so you won’t come home to a big, expensive mess.”
Preventing water damage while away on vacation is possible with a couple of preventive measures.
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