With the holidays upon us, travel plans are already set in stone for many families across the Greater Pittsburgh area. You may be going to visit relatives out of state or looking to go somewhere tropical for a refreshing change of pace from the brutal Pennsylvania winters. With the flights booked, lodging arranged, and decisions made about who’s taking care of your pets, you think you have everything covered before the trip. But what about your plumbing system?
Should I Shut My Water Off When I Go Away?
For many homeowners, the thought of shutting their water supply off when they go away for an extended vacation may not even cross their minds. However, during the winter, standing water in your pipes is at a higher risk of freezing in cold weather. This big freeze can lead to potential problems as soon as you return and ruin your holiday vibe with even more extensive plumbing repairs in Pittsburgh, PA.
When you’re going away for the holidays, there are plenty of reasons why you should turn your water off before you leave. Some of the most important reasons include the following:
Burst Pipes
No homeowner wants to come after a relaxing vacation away from the smell of mold and ruined carpets. But, if you haven’t correctly insulated your plumbing, the standing water left in the system while you’re away can freeze over. As the frozen water expands, it puts more stress on the pipes and causes them to burst.
Burst pipes are often one of the most significant plumbing emergencies that befall a residential plumbing system. Unfortunately, if the issue happens while you’re away, it can go unnoticed for days, even weeks at a time, and leave you with the worst kind of holiday hangover.
Running Toilets and Leaky Drains
You may have gotten so accustomed to some issues with your home’s plumbing that it barely registers as an issue. For example, in the case of running toilets and leaky faucets, they can often become things you handle at the moment and perform spot fixes to stop the problem. However, what happens when you aren’t around to notice?
If your toilets have a habit of running periodically throughout the day, the wasted water can drive your utility bills through the roof. Imagine how high your bills could get if you aren’t around to make the quick fix to stop the toilet running. You could turn the water off before you leave for your winter vacation or call Pittsburgh’s toilet repair specialists to take a look before you go.
Don’t Forget Your Water Heater
Before you leave for vacation, take a moment to look at your water heater before you head out. Depending on the model you have in your home, you have some options at your disposal. For example, electric models can have their hot and cold water supplies completely shut off, so you can save some money on electricity and prevent potential leakages.
Also, gas-powered options may have a vacation mode you can utilize while you’re away. You can consult a reliable plumbing expert to determine which is right for you.
Trust Mister Sewer & Plumbing for Your Winter Plumbing Needs
Before you take a train, plane, or automobile to your winter vacation destination, don’t forget to get your home’s plumbing taken care of before you leave. With Mister Sewer & Plumbing’s array of residential plumbing services and financing options, you can rest assured that your plumbing system gets taken care of before your big trip. So contact our team and schedule your next service today!