Whether you’re getting out of New York City for work or fun, you want to be able to travel with the confidence that your home will be in great shape when you return. There’s nothing worse than opening the door to be greeted with a rush of water that’s flooded your place or a nasty mess in the bathroom.
Here are three tips you can use to avoid plumbing problems in your NYC home when you travel:
Use Your Shut Off Valves
There is a shut off valve that controls the water coming into your home. Turning this to off position means you don’t have to worry about leaks from pipes bursting or leaking while you’re away. It may be that you share a shut off valve with other homeowners in your building; turning off everyone’s water isn’t generally a viable option. In that instance, look for the shut off valves that control your sink, toilet, shower, and other appliances. Turning those off is the next best option. If you’re not sure where these shut offs are, ask your New York City plumbing service. They’ll be happy to help you.
Check Your Water Heater
It takes less than five minutes to visually inspect a water heater. You’re looking for wet spots, cracks, leaks, or puddles of water, particularly underneath the heater. If you see any of these, call your NYC Plumber – you’ll need water heater replacement, but they can help you take steps now so you don’t have to deal with it until you get back from your trip. If everything looks good and there are no leaks and puddles, check to see if your water heater can be switched to a vacation setting. This will reduce your energy costs while you’re away. When you get home, switch it back to your normal setting.
Use a Home Monitoring App
Odds are you’re bringing your smartphone with you wherever you go. Use one of the dozens of remote camera apps to keep an eye on your home. The bathroom and kitchen are the site of most plumbing mishaps: set up mini cameras to watch these areas and check them periodically through the linked app. It only takes a second to see that everything’s fine, and you’ll enjoy the increased peace of mind!
