Once a leak starts causing damage in your home, it’s too late. You should be thinking about water damage prevention tips before something like this happens. Especially when leaving a house unoccupied.
These tips could save you the hassle of a larger call out where your home ends up as a construction site.
1.Find your stop cock!
This will turn off your water supply and can be helpful in a watery emergency. To ensure it works when you need it most, be sure to turn it every six months or so to prevent it from seizing up!
2. Consider draining your water tanks and central heating system
Water sitting in your pipes is water that could be potentially sitting on your floor when you come back home. If your home is going to be empty for multiple months at a time, it might be wise to do this.
3. Check all sinks, toilets, baths, showers, and visible pipes monthly!
A leak isn’t obvious at first which is what makes them hard to catch it early. Finding water marks, white crust, any damage, or missing sealant early can save you a host of larger problems.
4. Track your water meter
If you see it changing, it might be a sign of a leak.
5. Get a leak detection device
The future is here for leak detection! It’s easy for a plumber to fit your system so that you’ll know everything that is happening. You can even track it from outside the home.
6. Install or check your lagging
Lagging is the insulation around your pipes and water tanks that keeps the water from freezing in the winter months and causing problems! Problems with your lagging could equal problems with your pipes!
7. In winter, keep the heating on at a min of 13C
Even if you are away, keeping the heating on at this minimum will ensure you don’t get freezing in your pipes! It’s better to do this than return home to find a leak.
8. Call a professional!
It never hurts to have skilled eyes look at your home occasionally. They know exactly where to look and will alert you to any issues.
Follow these steps as best you can, and your future home and self will thank you for it!
If you’re planning on moving to London and need help finding the perfect place for you, contact us to learn more about what we can do to help you.