As the holiday season approaches, many homeowners are excited to escape their daily routines and celebrate with family and friends. However, before you pack your bags and head out the door, it's crucial to prepare your home, especially your plumbing and heating systems, for the time away.
In this blog post, we’ll share 5 easy tips to ensure that your plumbing and heating systems are running well while you’re away from home. Implementing these strategies can save you from costly repairs and let you enjoy your holidays worry-free.
1. Set your Water Heater Control to Vacation Mode.
One of the first steps is to set your Water Heater Control to Vacation Mode, AND turn off the cold water feed valve on top of the water heater. This will prevent water from continuing to flow through your unit, and potentially cause flood damage, should a leak occur while away.
If you are not sure how to do this, please check out this video on turning the water off to your water heater. (Please Note: You DO NOT need to empty the entire water heater for holiday travel purposes.)
2. Set Your Thermostat
Another important tip that is often forgotten is to adjust your thermostat before leaving. In the winter, maintaining a stable temperature inside your home is crucial to avoid frozen pipes.
We generally recommend setting your thermostat to 65°F as a best practice in this area when away.
If you use a programmable thermostat, utilize its features to create an efficient heating schedule. This allows you to maintain warmth while you’re on vacation, without wasting energy.
3. Check for Leaks and Drips
Before leaving for your holiday travel, inspect your plumbing fixtures and appliances for leaks or drips.
Pay special attention to faucets, toilets, and under-sink pipes. Catching even a small leak early can prevent severe water damage. For instance, a dripping faucet can waste over 3,000 gallons of water in a year; imagine the potential damage that could occur if left unattended.
PRO TIP: Ask Tio about our Leak Guard System that AUTOMATICALLY turns off the water main if it detects a leak at anytime! This system is the ultimate option for peace of mind at home or while away.
4. Don't neglect Professional Heating Maintenance
If your heating system hasn't been serviced recently, now is the right time to schedule a professional maintenance check before you go. This can identify any issues with your system and ensure it operates efficiently while you’re away.
Regular maintenance can also enhance the lifespan of your equipment; data indicates that it can increase the life of your heating system by an average of 3-5 years. Plus, a well-maintained heating system can help reduce your energy bills by as much as 15%.
5. Inform a Trusted Neighbor
Lastly, communicate your holiday travel plans to a trusted neighbor or friend.
Ask them to keep an eye out for any signs of plumbing or heating problems while you’re gone.
Provide them with your contact information in case of emergencies, and encourage them to check for unusual sounds, drips, or temperature changes inside your home if possible.
Having someone you trust keeping an eye on your property can provide valuable peace of mind, ensuring that any concerns are addressed promptly while you enjoy your travels!
In summary, no one wants to come back to a flooded home, or an unreliable heating system after a fun holiday away. Investing a little time now can save you a lot of trouble later.
Contact Crossroads today and ask about our Plumbing & Heating Maintenance Packages - 201.384.3063. Or Email Tio directly at info@crossroadsnjny.com.
Safe travels!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
*Tio's Tips are for information purposes only. Crossroads is not responsible for the outcome of tip usage. While many things can be done by a homeowner with basic knowledge of plumbing fixtures, when in doubt, we always recommend calling a licensed master plumber to help with serious plumbing issues.