Before You Leave: Christmas Vacation Water Damage Tips for Your Cranberry Home

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

The last thing you need to do is walk into a water damaged home from a pipe bursting or where water has leaked.

Are you planning a getaway this Christmas Season? Goodness knows we all need it this year! Millions of homeowners and renters will leave their home this Holiday season to venture somewhere else to forget about life a little. Ah, sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Spending a week or two for a much-needed recoup is exactly what the mind and body needed. The last thing you need to do is walk into a water damaged home from a pipe bursting or where water has leaked. SERVPRO of Crawford and NE Venango has detailed some of our preferred winter water safety tips before you leave on your trip.

Just simply turn off the water. Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? To effectively to this. You must turn it off from the main shutoff line. The valve is typically located within 3 to 5 feet of where the water main enters the home. If you do not find it on the front wall, check for a mechanical room, or near the water heater or furnace. In a crawl space or with slab construction, the shutoff valve may be right inside the crawl space.

Drain Your Pipes. If you followed the first tip, you still have a little more to do. The water that is left standing in the pipes can still freeze and cause problems. Make sure to drain the pipes fully after shutting the water off. If you are not sure how to do this, here is a little tutorial.

Keep Your Heater On. You might want to turn off the HVAC to save a little money while you away. But this is not the time to watch your pocketbook. Condensation can build up when air does not move. This can cause freezing which ultimately leads to water damage. And did you know that when you turn off the HVAC system it can create the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow? Consumer Reports says to simply turn it down, not off, when you leave. Never leave it below 55 degrees.

Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear. Didn’t you just do this in the fall? I know. I know. But making sure the gutters are free of leaves and debris will prevent not only water damage, but the formation of ice dams too. Take a peek before you leave.

Have someone come over and check the home.  It is never a bad idea to have someone keep an extra eye on your home when you are gone. Have them peek around for anything array. Check basements, look for water leaks, and check the downspouts. Heck! Have them get your mail too.

Sometimes every precaution in the world cannot stop some disasters. Thank goodness, SERVPRO of Crawford and NE Venango is here every day of the year. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day—we have our crew out 365 days a year. We know better than anyone that disasters do not have a 9-5 schedule. All of us at SERVPRO wish you a safe and merry Holiday. We are here if you need us. Call 814.350.7651 and safe travels this Christmas Season.