Expert plumber reveals home disasters that happen while people are on holiday - and how to prevent them
As Brits enjoy the summer season, millions will be planning holiday breaks across the country and abroad. But, while getting ready for a holiday is exciting, it can be easy to forget other important tasks in the process as we leave our homes in a bit of a mad panic.
According to an expert from MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, returning from holiday to a plumbing disaster is more common than we realise, and in most cases, completely avoidable.
As prepping for an annual break takes over, over a quarter (27 per cent) of Brits admit to not performing home maintenance checks before going on holiday, despite the fact that a third say they worry about forgetting something important at home before going away. As a result, many return to at least one household disaster, with nearly a tenth experiencing no hot water after arriving back from their travels.
There are also several other issues that are made much worse by absence, such as burst or clogged pipes, leaking toilets, or dripping showers. And while these are already urgent problems even when you are at home, they become even more serious if left unattended for days, or even weeks.
Mike Flook, a plumbing expert from MyBuilder.com, said completing a series of checks takes just a few minutes of your time, and will help prevent you coming back home to a plumbing nightmare.
“When you're trying to get out of the door for a holiday, checking the plumbing probably isn't top of most people's list. But if a leak starts while you're away, it can do a lot of damage if nobody's there to spot it for a week or two. Spending a few minutes checking everything before you leave is well worth it.”
“I've seen what can happen when something goes wrong while a house is empty. I once had a customer who came back home to a huge leak after a shower valve had been fitted incorrectly. Another returned to a massive leak coming through her upstairs ceiling - which had been happening for a week! Those are expensive problems that often start with something quite small.
“Please, before you go away, check what you can. You won’t be able to spot everything, but there are many things you can do. Start by checking for leaks, as well as making sure your taps and shower heads are all fully switched off, and ensuring no drains are blocked. It may also help if you switch off your water supply - which is the safest way to ensure no plumbing disaster!”
MyBuilder.com’s essential pre-holiday plumbing checks includes:
Check for leaks and cracks
Radiators are a common source of leaks. Leaks from a radiator, water running down from a radiator, damp or discoloured patches in your ceiling, walls or your floor are obvious signs of a plumbing issue (e.g. a damaged valve) that needs immediate fixing. This could become a serious issue, as water in your walls or ceilings could lead to weakening and eventually caving in. Always call a plumber if you notice this problem - don’t leave it while you go away!
Check for drain blockage
Drains are more likely to block during the summer, often due to it being used more frequently, from cold showers to paddling pools or swimming pool filling. To spot that your drain may be blocked, keep an eye out for: foul smell, resurfacing water, shower/sink/toilet draining more slowly, and gurgling sounds when running a tap/flushing a toilet. If you notice any of these signs, sort this out immediately - failure to get a plumber to come in and fix your drains could result in damp and mould on the interiors of your home, pest-invasion and health risks, alongside heavy costs to repair the damage.
Switch off your washing machine and dishwasher
It’s essential to switch off these types of appliances while you’re away, as any problems with leaking could present not only a mess, but a fire risk. Let them run before ensuring all water has drained out, air them if possible, and switch off. Leave the doors open so they can dry - this will prevent mould and mildew building up before your return.
Check your toilets
Before you go away, make sure to check your toilets don’t have any leaks. Your toilet may have a leak if: water is trickling at the back of your toilet, damp around the surrounding floor, damp around the base, condensation with nearby pipes. If this applies to you, sort this out immediately. Failure to get a plumber to fix this not only could waste hundreds of pounds in wasted water, but could also cause significant damage to the surrounding floor and walls.
Switch off your water supply
Ultimately, water leaks are one of the most common disasters that a homeowner can return to from holiday - this is why it’s important to switch off your water supply at the mains. Typically, you will locate your inside stop valve under your kitchen sink, which you will need to turn clockwise to switch your water supply off. This is the surest way to prevent leaks, bursts and flooding which will damage your home.
Give a key to a trusted person to access your house
If you’re going away for a week or more, it can be sensible to ask a friend or neighbour to do a quick check on your home. If a problem is found, then they can call a tradesperson to fix it and repair any damage, which would hopefully be minimal if the home has been regularly checked.
Take care when you get back home
When you get home, you’ll want to return your home to service-as-usual. If you’ve switched your water off, there are a few things to be aware of. After you turn your valve anti-clockwise to get it back on, your taps may not be running straight away. This is because the water will need to run through your pipes again, so it may take a few minutes before everything gets back to normal. DO be prepared that your taps may splutter for a few minutes at first. It is also advisable to let them run for a few minutes anyway, just make sure any debris is cleared out through the taps.
