9 Ways to Prevent Water Damage In Your Home While You Are Away

When you were on the beach, you wished you could always be near the water—but not like this.

Discovering water damage in your home after returning from vacation is a rude welcome, to say the least. Still, you don’t have to stress while you’re hiking, sightseeing, or sipping a drink with a little umbrella. With these tips for preventing water damage, you can keep your home dry and happy while you’re away.

1. Shut Off the Main Water Valve

The easiest way to prevent any water damage is by shutting off the water at the main valve. This controls the water that enters your home, so be sure to show the other members of your household where it is in case of an emergency. If it’s your first time shutting off the main water valve, test it by turning on a faucet before you leave.

2. Check Your Supply Lines

If you want to know how to prevent water leaks in your home, start with strong supply lines. Plastic supply lines break easily and can rupture while you are away, so they’re not all that dependable. Grab a flashlight and see what type of supply lines you have on your appliances. If you have any plastic supply lines, it’s wise to upgrade to stainless steel (and relatively cheap, too). 

3. Inspect Your Appliances and Fixtures

It’s only fitting that your appliances would malfunction right before you go on vacation. Don’t let this catch you by surprise upon your return—find any sneaky leaks ahead of time with a full inspection.

Here are the main appliances and fixtures to check on:

• Refrigerator

• Dishwasher

• Sinks (and pipes underneath)

• HVAC system

• Washing Machine

• Water heater

• Shower

• Toilet

You’re mostly looking for leaks here, but keep an ear out for any funny noises or other signs of trouble. Should you find anything out of order, contact top appliance repair companies in your area to get it fixed before you leave.

4. Examine Windows and Doors

If your home gets hit by nasty weather when you’re on vacation, this can seep into your home through dama/ged doors or windows. Ensure all seals are intact to keep out any rain, snow, or pipe-freezing winds. Find a local window repair service to take care of any necessary fixes before you go on vacation.

5. Give Your Gutters a Once-Over

You might not think about your gutters very often, but they can cause major water damage if they get stopped up. Look for sticks, debris, and leaves that could clog the gutters and flood or overflow. Clean out the gutters to be safe. Having a professional gutter cleaning costs about $160 on average, or you can handle it yourself (with the proper safety precautions, of course)

Also, make sure all downspouts discharge about 10 feet from your home—otherwise, during rain, you could have hundreds of gallons of water flooding dangerously close by. If your downspouts aren’t long enough, fret not: you can rectify this by adding a downspout extension.

6. Test Your Sump Pump

Your sump pump kicks into damage control if anything leaks inside your home. It can also be a strong line of defense to prevent flooding if groundwater levels become abnormally high. You’ll want it working properly if you’re not going to be around for a while.

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to check. Simply dump a pail of water in and make sure that the system pumps water back out. A local sump pump repair contractor can assist you if anything is amiss.

7. Leave Your HVAC System Running

This one’s especially important for the winter months, but the same applies year-round. The constant circulating air from your HVAC system will prevent any condensation from causing water damage. In colder months, it’s crucial for keeping your pipes from freezing.

8. Invest in a Smart Leak Detector

There are many high-tech plumbing devices on the market to prevent water damage in your home. These can sense and shut off leaks to prevent flooding and other water damage. Check your local home improvement store and online to find the newest gadgets that can save you in an emergency. 

9. Consider a House Sitter

If you’re lucky enough to have a kind friend or neighbor to watch your home while you’re away, they can spot leaks before they lead to water damage in your home. As a bonus, they’ll also keep your home more secure in general, too.

Does Homeowners' Insurance Cover Water Damage?

If you have a homeowners' insurance policy, this will usually cover water damage from any unforeseen mishaps with appliances or fixtures. However, most standard policies do not cover damage caused by floods or sewer backups. Check your individual policy and consider additional coverage if it’s available. 

What to Do After Discovering Water Damage In Your Home

Water damage happens—don’t let it ruin your post-vacation glow. A water damage restoration contractor near you can help restore your home to its former (drier) glory.