Keep Your House Dry During Spring and Summer Travel

Mitch Wright Plumbing Heating and Air

www.MitchWrightAir.com

(662) 349-3547

"The Right Prescription for Comfort" 

With warm weather on the rise, it's no doubt that you'll be planning plenty of fun in the sun this spring and summer. Before you embark on the vacation, be sure to prepare your property for your absence to avoid the chance of undected leaks and flooding while you're away.

At Mitch Wright, we know how frustrating it can be to deal with a leaky situation. Follow these simple steps to help prevent water damage while you're on vacation!

Look for leaks. Check the plumbing in your home from top to bottom for evidence of existing leaks and have them repaired immediately. Carefully investigate the pipes under every sink and check your water heater for suspicious cracks or rust spots. Be sure to check the hoses to your major appliances as well.

Clean out gutters. Make sure to clear out any leaves or debris from your gutters. Although clogged gutters have no direct correlation to plumbing issues, if runoff from your roof has nowhere to go it may cause damage to the roof that can ultimately lead to leaks, and i cases of heavy precipitation, flooding.

Find a house sitter. The best way to make sure that your house remains water-damage-free while you enjoy your vacation is to recruit someone to check on your home while you're away. Even the slowest drip can produce thousands of dollars in damage if left unnoticed. If a family member or close friend agrees to check in a few times throughout the week, any leaks can be detected early enough to minimize, if not eliminate, the potential for costly water damage. In case of an emergency, make sure that your designated house sitter knows where the water main is located, and has contact information for Mitch Wright, your vacation spot and your insurance agent.

Turn off the water main. Regardless of whether you have recruited a trusty house-sitter, it is always a good idea to make sure that the main water valve has been turned off and all pipes have been drained before you depart. This is especially recommended if you plan to be away for great lengths of time. To drain all pipes, run the water in each faucet and flush all toilets until the water runs outs.

Bonus Tip: Look into a leak detection system. If you are a frequent traveler, it may be beneficial to purchase a system that identifies leaks within your home, automatically triggering your water main to turn off. This can eliminate unpleasant (wet) surprises upon your return.

Mitch Wright Plumbing, Heating and Air is here to help you in case you find yourself with a plumbing nightmare upon your return from vacation! For more information, visit us on Facebook or at www.mitchwrightair.com.