How to Prevent Water Damage During Christmas Vacation

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

During the holidays, many people travel, potentially leaving their homes vulnerable to water damage. Nothing puts a damper on vacation mode like coming back to a flooded home. Here are some top ways to avoid issues with leaks and moisture so you won’t have to call for water damage restoration upon your return.

1. Turn off the Water

If you don’t want to shut down all your plumbing, just switch off the water source to toilets and faucets by turning the knob on each fixture where the water pipe meets the wall or floor. Otherwise, turn off everything at once at the water main. Homeowners who use wells should switch off the electrical power to the well to prevent it from pumping.

2. Assess Your Gutters & Downspouts

Take a walk around your house before leaving, looking at every gutter to ensure it’s connected to the roof and doesn’t have any corrosion issues. Then assess the downspouts to see if they’re properly attached to the gutters and exterior walls. If these home features are incorrectly installed or damaged, rain will pool around the foundation and result in the need for water damage restoration.

3. Have Someone Check In

Have a trustworthy neighbor or friend check on the house in your absence. Ask them to inspect each room from outside two or three times a week to make sure everything is normal. They’ll be able to spot signs of water damage so you can contact a restoration team as soon as possible. Not only will this give you peace of mind, but they can also water your plants and grab the mail.

If you return from the holidays to find your home has incurred water damage, contact the skilled technicians at SERVPRO of the Quad Cities. Their expert water damage restoration team is available 24/7 to make your house feel like home again after a natural disaster or accident. Call (256) 383-4470.