Any homeowner wants to come back after vacation to no surprises and a house exactly as they left it. Shocks and disasters can spoil any and all good feelings you just had on vacation, especially if flooding or other major damage has been happening while you were away. So no matter if you are leaving your Cape home for a short vacation after a stressful season or if you’re planning to spend the entire winter down south, here are a few things you should consider:
Check any pipes for leaking before leaving. Nothing ruins your post vacation return like coming home to find signs of a flood. You could find evidence of them under your house, in the basement, under the bathroom or kitchen sinks, underneath home appliances such as the washing machine, dishwasher, fridge or water heater. Also check around toilets and faucets. If you see any signs of water staining, including ones that look like the water has already dried, call a plumber. The average laundry machine hose will last around 3 to 5 years. Make sure your hose is working properly and doesn’t have any cracks or calcium deposits running along it.
Depending on how long you’re going to be away for, you want to shut off your water heater so as not to use extra energy. Some heaters come with vacation mode that puts it into very low energy consuming mode or shuts it off completely. Another option is to turn off your main water supply, providing water to the entire house. This is done for long vacations when there will be nobody using the plumbing system for at least a few weeks. If turning off your main water supply, make sure to empty out all the faucets available.
If someone is looking after your house while you’re away, make sure they have the necessary info to reach you in case of emergency. It is also a good idea to leave a plumber’s number in case you are not able to make it home in time.
If you want to be on the safe side and would like to schedule an inspection with us before you leave,
Call 508-775-6670
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