Be Ready For Winter Vacation

Winter is here, and it can wreak havoc on your plumbing. This is especially true if you are going away for a vacation and your home will be vacant during that time.

As plumbers, we are particularly focused on the potential problems that could occur to your pipes and plumbing systems during the coldest months of the year. A few tips on how you can avoid an emergency plumbing situation this winter.

Think warmth

The simplest method of preventing your indoor pipes from freezing is to make sure you maintain an indoor temperature of at least 13 degrees Celsius when you are away from home. That is a bare minimum temperature—we’d generally recommend going higher than that. Even though heating prices are way more this season, the damage caused by ruptured pipes due to freezing can easily run in the tens of thousands and cause major inconveniences to get fixed.

Get an early warning system

A connected / smart thermostat (WiFi) lets you control and monitor your home’s temperature using your smartphone, others connected via the internet of things or even your computer. If the temperature in your house drops, you’ll get an email or text alert. Some send alerts to your cell phone via a phone jack in your house or send an alert to a landline or cell phone.

Shut off the main water supply

Before leaving on vacation, turn off the main water shutoff – usually located in the basement. That way, if any pipes do freeze, crack or burst, you’ll have far less damage. Also, be sure to shut off any water-connected appliances or equipment, such as your automatic icemaker, water heater and water softener, to make sure that equipment is off while away on vacation. 

Basement flooding tends to occur with the melting of snow during or after the winter. Check all the main drainage areas on your property and make sure there’s a clear path for the water runoff to go. Clear out leaves and other blockages so the water doesn’t collect in a single area, which could cause it to run down through your foundation.

Regular check-ups

With your preparations attended to, you may want to consider notifying close friends, family, and neighbors that you’ll be away so they can keep an eye out for any trouble. If you’re comfortable doing so, it’s a good idea to give someone you trust a spare key so they can check on the home, update you regularly, and help in case of an emergency. 

For more tips to help you prevent some major plumbing issues while on vacation this winter, contact one of the professionals at PipeMasters today: info@pipemasters.ca or (289) 404-9063. PipeMasters is part of Oakridge Plumbing Ontario Ltd. and serves the East GTA, Durham Region, North to Lindsay & Peterborough, out to Cobourg and all points in between. All Rights Reserved.