The excitement of your big break from it all is starting to set in, and you’re counting off the days on your calendar, but will your home be ready for your absence? All the systems in your home are made to be used after all, so how do you prepare everything for a long—weeks or months—vacation? Here are 3 things to keep in mind before you go.
Number 1: Shut off your Water Main
Your water main is where all the water in your home comes from. It feeds water to your plumbing, so you have fresh, drinkable water all day long. If you’re not going to be using the water at all while on vacation, be sure to shut off your water main. Why? Pipes can burst while you’re gone, and flood your home. There’s no way to stop the damage if there’s nobody there to even know it’s happening.
Even if you’re not leaving long enough to need your water main shut off, it’s a good idea to always know where the water main of your home is. Locate it and commit it to memory.
Number 2: Set your Water Heater to ‘Vacation Mode.’
No, your water heater isn’t going on a vacation of its own, but most have a vacation mode. This is a setting on the dial that reduces the amount of energy used. You won’t get much warm water while it’s in vacation mode, but if you’re gone, you won’t need warm water anyway. If your unit doesn’t have a vacation mode, just turn it off or shut the gas valve (if you have a natural gas water heater). Just turn it back to regular mode right away when you get back or nobody’s going to have a pleasant shower to unwind with after the trip home.
Number 3: Pump Your Septic Tank
You don’t want to leave for an extended period of time with a full septic tank. The possibility of a sewage backup isn’t something you want on your mind while you’re on a trip. Get your septic tank or cesspool pumped before you leave, preferably a few days before. Your septic tank’s bacterial flora needs something to work on while you’re gone or it may die out, meaning you’ll need to schedule a septic treatment appointment too.
Whatever septic needs you have, Maui Pumping is ready to take them on. Call any time, or use our online scheduling tool to set up an appointment before it’s time to travel.
