You’ve found your ultimate holiday destination. The accommodation is booked, your suitcase is packed and it’s almost holiday time! But before you head off on a well-earned break, be sure to complete our homeowner holiday checklist. The last thing you want is to come home from some much-needed R&R to find your home flooded from a busted pipe or tap. Here are our top tips to get your house holiday ready and number three could save you hundreds of thousands in water damage!

Holiday Checklist - add preventative plumbing emergency measures to your list.

Plumbing Dramas Always Happen When You’re Away

Several things can potentially go wrong with pipes, especially if preventive measures haven’t been taken. Here are some common issues:

  • Burst Pipes: If the temperature drops or increases significantly while you are away pipes can burst. This can lead to extensive water damage throughout the home.
  • Leaking Pipes: Even if pipes don’t burst, they can develop leaks over time due to corrosion, wear and tear, or pressure buildup. These leaks can lead to mould growth if left unchecked.
  • Clogged Drains: If drains are partially clogged before you leave, they may become fully blocked while you’re away, leading to backups and potential water damage.
  • Appliance Malfunctions: Appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can develop leaks or malfunction.
  • Tree Root Intrusion: If you have outdoor pipes, tree roots can grow into them, causing blockages, leaks, or even pipe ruptures.
  • Gutters and Stormwater Drains: Damaged and blocked roof gutters, downpipes and stormwater pits and drains can lead to water flowing into your home unseen during a storm.

Be Prepared with Our Homeowner Holiday Checklist 

Taking the time to perform a thorough inspection of your home to address any potential issues can help prevent plumbing emergencies and water damage during your absence, plus give you peace of mind while you’re away. The great news is there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your risk:

  1. Check your hot water system for leaks. Test the hot water unit’s valves and make sure they are working correctly.
  2. Investigate if your hot water heat pumps have holiday modes on the electric timers. If yes, set the timers to holiday mode.
  3. Inspect the flexible water connections underneath fixtures such as the kitchen and bathroom taps. If they are older than 5 years, we recommend that you change them before you leave home for an extended period. For your safety, these parts should be changed every 5 years.
  4. Test for dripping taps and leaking toilets.
  5. Clean out the roof gutters on your house and make sure the stormwater is running well. Keeping gutters, downpipes and stormwater pits and drains clear will help mitigate the risk of damage caused by a storm while you are away.
  6. If you are aware of some small ‘plumbing issues,’ don’t delay. Get them fixed before you go, to avoid a costly surprise on your return.
  7. Ask a trusted neighbour, friend, or family member to check on your home periodically while you’re away. They can ensure that everything is in order and address any issues that may arise, including plumbing emergencies.
Running kitchen tap into sink.  Running your taps to clear stagnant water and fill p-traps is a plumber's hot tip post holidays.
Photo by Kaboompics.com

PLUMBERS BONUS TIP

When you get home from your holiday, go around the house and turn on every tap/water source. This is important because:

  1. Water has been sitting in your pipes for an extended period and is likely stale. This water will have begun to absorb minerals from the pipes and bacteria may have started to flourish. Be sure that you do not use the stagnant water to wash or drink.
  2. Running the taps also flushes and fills the pipe traps. While you were away, the water in the pipes can evaporate in the drains and traps, allowing smelly sewer gases into your home.

Holiday with Confidence

The cost of repairing leaking pipes in houses can vary widely depending on several factors, including the severity of the leak, the location of the pipes, accessibility, and the extent of damage. By taking these precautions before going on holidays, you can minimise the risk of coming home to plumbing issues and water damage. It’s always better to be proactive and prevent problems before they occur.

For the best advice on pipes and drainage, you can rely on the Salmon Plumbing team. From blocked drains and burst pipes to roof leaks and emergencies, we can meet your plumbing needs – day or night.

Contact Salmon Plumbing for expert plumbing advice. Call 07 3862 2600 for fast emergency plumbing services.