You’ve booked the flights, packed the bags, and set your out-of-office reply. But before you lock the front door and head out, there’s one thing most people forget about: checking for water leaks.
A slow drip under your sink or a dripping pipe fitting might seem harmless today, but leave it unattended for two weeks, and you might come home to saturated floors, mold growth, and a repair bill that ruins your post-vacation glow. Thankfully, a thorough leak inspection takes less than an hour and can save you thousands.
Check Under Sinks
Inspect the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and anywhere else you have a sink or appliance hookup. Check the pipes and supply lines. You’re looking for water stains, rust, soft spots on the cabinet floor, or signs of moisture. Run the water, and check the connections where supply lines meet the shut-off valves, since these areas tend to leak.
Inspect Your Toilet Connections and Tanks
The supply line that runs from the wall to the toilet tank is a common failure point, especially in older homes. Give it a gentle squeeze, and look for signs of mineral buildup or discoloration around the connection. Then lift the tank lid and take a peek inside. If the water level is sitting above the overflow tube, your toilet is already running. Drop a little food coloring into the tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing. If color shows up in the bowl, you have a flapper leak.
Look at Your Water Heater
Water heaters don’t always give warning signs before leaking. Look for pooling water or dampness on the floor. Check the pressure relief valve on the side for any dripping. If your appliance is more than 10 years old, it might be worth investing in a professional inspection, since that’s typically when slow leaks begin to develop.
Don’t Forget the Washing Machine Hoses
Washing machine hoses are one of the most overlooked leak risks in your home. Pull the machine away from the wall, and inspect both hot and cold supply hoses. Look for any signs of cracking or moisture near the connections. If the hoses are made of rubber and over five years old, consider replacing them with newer stainless-steel ones.
Turn Off the Water Supply
Once you’ve finished your walk-through and addressed anything that looks suspicious, turn off the main water supply to the house before you leave. This easy step eliminates the possibility of a catastrophic leak while you’re away. Also make a note of where your main shut-off valve is so that you can turn it back on when you return home.
A pre-vacation leak inspection might not seem necessary, but it’s one of the smartest things you can do as a homeowner. If you discover an issue, reach out to a licensed plumber to fix the leak before you leave. When you need leak detection services in Levittown, PA, contact NexGen Plumbing & Drains.
