Summer Travel Plans? Reduce Your Water Damage Risk Before Leaving!

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Don't let water damages intrude on your vacation! Safeguard your home before you leave!

The perfect time of year for family vacations and weekend getaways is upon us.  As you make your travel preparations, SERVPRO of Northwest Escambia County advises taking one extra step:  reduce the risk of residential water damages while you are away!  Here are a few ways to protect your property before you leave:

1. Check For Leaks – A small leak can become a large issue if left unattended for an extended period of time. Checking for leaks before leaving for vacation helps to reduce the risk of returning to a flooded, or even worse, moldy home.
2. Turn Off Your Water – Turning off the water main before leaving eliminates a primary source of water intrusion in the instance of a leak, pipe burst, or appliance malfunction. To do this, after turning off the water, run your faucets and flush your toilet to remove any remaining water in the pipes.
3. Check Door and Window Seals – Especially in the Panhandle of Florida, thunderstorms can pop up with little or no notice. Loose, cracked, or missing seals can allow wind driven rain to access your home, which can lead to a host of water damage issues.  Checking your seals before leaving for vacation helps to ensure the elements stay where they belong: outdoors!
4. Clean Out Rain Gutters – Just as window and door seals can allow rainwater in, a clogged gutter can cause backup onto your roof. This produces optimal conditions for roof leaks.  Cleared gutters allow water to flow away from the home, reducing water intrusion risk.
5. Plan For Someone to Check on Your Home – The best way to reduce water damages while you are away is to have someone you trust check in on your property. If a water damage were to occur, a quick response is paramount to reducing the effects, and a trusted set of eyes may be able to prevent an issue before it even occurs.

If you home does suffer water damages as your away-on-vacay, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Northwest Escambia County for help.  Our team offers 24 hour a day, 7 day a week emergency response, and has the equipment, training, and expertise to handle losses of all sizes.  Serving the communities of Pensacola, Cantonment, and Century, Florida, SERVPRO of Northwest Escambia County is “Faster to any size disaster.”