One thing that makes the holidays special is visiting family and friends. Such visits often involve travel, which leaves your home unattended. This could be a problem if your plumbing system experiences any issues while no one is home to stop potential damage. Fortunately, a little proactive maintenance can help you avoid plumbing complications this holiday season.
New Mexico’s Climate and Your Plumbing
New Mexico’s arid conditions can directly affect your plumbing system. It can degrade seals, gaskets, and overall plumbing efficiency. This is because dry air, along with normal wear and tear, increases the stress on your system. Even fluctuating temperatures and low water pressure can hurt your plumbing. In addition to dry air, drops in groundwater levels can cause your seals to dry and crack. This leads to leaks. Changing pressure from drought conditions will also make older pipes more brittle and prone to breaking. All of this can result in widespread leaks and a decrease in plumbing efficiency. You don’t want any of these issues to cause problems while you’re away from home this holiday season. Scheduling routine plumbing maintenance from a professional plumbing company helps you avoid issues during the holidays.
Preventive Maintenance Before You Leave Home
Shut off your main water supply. This is the most effective way to prevent leaks while you’re away from home during the holidays. If you don’t shut off the main supply, turn off the water to your high-risk appliances. This includes the dishwasher and washing machine.
Do a quick leak inspection. Check under sinks, around toilets, behind appliances, and around your water heater. This is a good way to find and address problems before they escalate. If you have a sump pump, test it too. You want to make sure it’s functioning properly before you leave.
Additional Tips Before Leaving
You can install a leak detection system to safeguard your home any time you’re away. These systems will monitor your plumbing for leaks and automatically shut off your water supply if there’s a problem. They also send an alert to your phone so you can quickly address the problem.
An excellent alternative to a leak detection system is to have a professional plumber inspect your plumbing. They have leak detection methods that can pinpoint any potential issues.
Don’t forget to ask a friend or neighbor to check on your property for you while you are away. By periodically stopping by, they can alert you if they notice anything unusual.
Taking the time to do these preventative measures will ensure the safety of your home. You’ll have peace of mind while traveling and come home to a well-maintained plumbing system. To enjoy the benefits of routine plumbing maintenance and leak detection, call Gordon AC & Plumbing in Monroe, LA today.
