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Don't Let Water Damage Ruin Your Summer Vacation
6/20/2018 (Permalink)
With summer here, many families in New Haven County are getting ready for their summer vacations. Whether that means a camping trip or a tropical island, you will most likely be leaving your home vacant while you are off having fun. When a home is left empty, it is particularly vulnerable to extensive water damage since the water is not immediately discovered. We have restored homes in which water damage originated from a pipe leak, a refrigerator line burst or a toilet overflowed while the homeowner was away on vacation. Because the water was able to flow for several days, or weeks, the damage was spread throughout the home. Rather than localized damage to a kitchen floor, the water had also saturated through the sub floor and the lower home level as well.
Before you leave for your summer vacation, we recommend that you take a few precautions to avoid water damage in your Milford home.
1. Prior to your trip, turn off all of the water sources in your home.
This only takes a few minutes and is the number one thing that you can do to minimize water damage if something does break while you are away.
Turn off your water at the main source, which is usually located in your basement. While you are down there, turn off the valves to your exterior faucets as well. Then, open your faucets and drain your water lines as well as your toilets. Turn off the valves at the sink, dishwasher and washing machine.
2. Inspect Your Hoses
Inspect any hoses that connect to major appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerator ice-makers. Make sure there are no kinks; replace any old or damaged hoses.
3. Keep the weather out:
Check that all doors and windows are securely shut and locked. A rainstorm can do a lot of damage through a non-latched window.
4. Check your gutters:
Clear your gutters of any potential blockages and take the time to make sure that your downspouts are still moving water at least 10 ft. from the home.
5. Inspect your sump pump:
If you have a basement and if you have a sump pump make sure that it is in working order. The last thing you want to do is come home to find your basement flooded.
6. Fire prevention:
Unplug appliances and electronic devices.
Thoroughly check wood stoves and fireplaces to ensure that they are out.
7. Keep the temperature right:
Set your thermostat to a temperature closer to outside temps (warmer in the summer, cooler in the winter) but which still protects your plants, pets and furniture.