Don't Let a Plumbing Emergency Spoil Your Summer Vacation!

Check all exposed pipes for leaks, cracks, or other damage.

• If you find any, repair them immediately. Our experts at KS Plumbing are by the phones, ready to get you taken care of right away if you're finding yourself in a bind!

Call KS Plumbing Today for a free in-home inspection!

Inspect your home's main water shut-off valve.

• Make sure it's in good working condition and that you know how to use it.

Dripping faucets can waste a lot of water - and money!

• Dripping water at a rate of just 1 drop per second can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water in one year. Be sure to check all the faucets in your home, both inside and out, for any drips or leaks. Repairing a dripping faucet is usually a quick and easy fix.- Check the condition of your hoses. If they're old, cracked, or leaking, it's time to replace them.
  

Check the sump pump in your basement or crawl space.

• Make sure it's properly plugged in and that the float switch moves freely. Being in the Hill Country, sump pumps aren't as common in the house. If you have one, now's the time to inspect it and make sure it's working properly.

• A sump pump is a pump that removes water from a low-lying area, such as a basement or crawl space, by pumping it out through a pipe. Normally found in homes with basements and foundations that are under the average water level. Rain will pool in these areas, causing every issue if not pumped out properly. If you have a basement without a sump pump, get one immediately. Even in dry areas, shifts in weather patterns have brought uncharacteristic waves of extreme downpours and even snow in the winter months, which will melt and find its way to your foundation.

Check the rain sensor in your automatic sprinkler system to make sure it's working properly.

• You don't want to waste water - or money - by watering your lawn when it's already wet! Inspect the sprinkler heads for damage as well. A damaged sprinkler head can waste a significant amount of water, and cause damage to a home's foundation if left unchecked.
• Ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your lawn while you're gone to make sure they don't see a water geyser coming out of one of your sprinkler heads.
• Be sure to have a trusted plumbing company saved in your phone so you know who to call right away if a problem occurs while you're trying to enjoy your time away. KS Plumbing is a great choice and one you can trust! Our family is here for you!

If you have a septic tank, have it inspected and pumped if necessary.

• Depending on the size of your tank and the number of people in your household, you should have it pumped every 3 to 5 years.

If you plan on being away from home for an extended period of time, check your water heater for a "Vacation Mode" switch.

• If your water heater doesn't have this feature, turning the target temperature level down to 50 degrees will allow your system to run normally at a safe temperature while saving you a lot of money on your energy bill. Once you return from vacation, simply deactivate the vacation mode, or crank the temperature back up to your desired temp to return to normal.

Lowering your hot water heater's temperature could benefit your budget more than you'd think.

• It's hot outside and people normally prefer a cooler shower during the summer compared to the winter months. Lowering the temperature of a tank heater means you're not spending electricity heating water that isn't going to be used.

It's important to do some preventive maintenance on your home plumbing before you go on vacation. By following these tips, you can help keep your plumbing running smoothly all summer long! If you have any questions or need help with a plumbing emergency while you're away, don't hesitate to call KS Plumbing. We're here to help!