So you’ve been saving up for the entire year and, now that summer has rolled around, it’s time to have the time of your life by going out on vacation. All the same, while you’re out there in some wonderful destination, the last thing you want is to come back and find your house flooded or worse: your sewage leaking. If you can prevent it, you would do anything to prevent it, right?
Whether your home is brand new or as old as the hills, it is still important to take the necessary precautions to avoid trouble with your plumbing. If the pressure of your water changes, there could be a pressure spike that results in leaks that perhaps would never have happened if you were around. Interestingly enough, in the United States, the washing machine is the most common cause for flooding in houses.
Check your Water Pressure
Municipalities across the US have had to increase water pressure. Why? Because there are a lot of new homes being built. That way, all the homes get water at a good enough pressure for normal use. That said, it’s a good idea for you to be well-acquainted with the typical water pressure of water in your house. You can find that out with the help of a water pressure gauge. These are pretty easy to find and are affordable. You can buy one at your local home improvement store without having to give up an arm and a leg. That said, it will save you a great deal of time, money, and mental anguish at the thought of your home flooding.
Once you have the water pressure gauge, it’s time to test the pressure of your gauge. The water pressure should never go over 70 psi. That said, it doesn’t mean that the pressure won’t spike. In fact, it can spike at night, right when everyone’s asleep and most people aren’t even using the water. That means that, over and above a water pressure gauge, you also need a water pressure reducing valve. You can easily have this installed with the help of Narwhal Plumbers in order to ensure the water pressure does not go above 70 psi.
Other Measures to take
Now, the water pressure is the most important measure you can take. However, there are other things you can do, especially if your vacation will take extra-long. One of these is to turn off the water. We’re not talking about turning off the taps here. We’re talking about turning off the emergency shut-off valve and draining off any leftover pressure from the system. That way, you’re guaranteed there’s not going to be any water in the house while you’re away. In the event that you have trouble finding your shut-off valve or you cannot operate it, you can call a professional plumber, such as Narwhal Plumbing, to find it for you or to install a new one in your house.
Another safety measure you should take is to switch off the gas or electricity that powers your water heater to avoid any issues arising with the water heater while you are gone. That way, you don’t have to come home to a burnt element or have to worry about back siphoning.
Alternatively, you can have the whole process done for you by Narwhal Plumbing to save you time. We can do both the preparation of the home for vacation and recharge the system upon your return. Give as a call 773-653-0822
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