Going on Holiday? Plumbing Checks to Make Before Leaving Your Chislehurst Home

When you are preparing for a holiday, you are probably thinking about passports, luggage and locking the doors.

Your plumbing system is unlikely to get much attention.

However, even a relatively small leak can cause considerable damage if it continues unnoticed for several days.

Taking ten minutes to check your plumbing before leaving can therefore be worthwhile.

Check for Dripping Taps

Walk around the property and check kitchen, bathroom and utility room taps.

A small drip is unlikely to cause an emergency while you are away, but it may indicate that a washer, cartridge or fitting requires attention.

If there is already water escaping around the base of a tap or beneath the sink, it is sensible to have the problem investigated before leaving.

Check Beneath Sinks

Look inside cupboards beneath sinks and basins.

Check for:

• Damp patches

• Dripping connections

• Moisture around traps

• Staining

• Signs of swelling in cabinets

Slow plumbing leaks are particularly easy to miss because the water may collect inside cupboards rather than appearing immediately on the floor.

Check Toilets

Flush each toilet and wait for the cistern to refill.

Make sure the water stops running once the cistern is full.

If water continuously flows into the toilet bowl, the internal mechanism may need attention.

Look Around Radiators and Pipework

Check around radiator valves and any visible pipe joints for moisture.

Radiator leaks can sometimes begin as a small bead of water around a valve before developing further.

Chislehurst Plumbers Ltd provides radiator repair and replacement throughout BR7 and surrounding areas.  

Know Where Your Stopcock Is

Even if you do not intend to turn the water supply off, make sure you know where the main stopcock is located.

If someone is checking your property while you are away, tell them where it is as well.

If a serious leak occurs, being able to isolate the water quickly can help reduce damage.

Consider Turning Off the Water Supply

For some properties, homeowners choose to turn off the incoming mains water before leaving for an extended period.

Whether this is appropriate depends on your particular plumbing and heating setup, especially if appliances or systems rely on a continuous supply.

If you are unsure, ask a plumber or heating engineer before changing anything.

Do Not Ignore an Existing Leak

If you already know that something is dripping, leaking or behaving unusually, going away is not the time to hope it resolves itself.

Hidden water leaks can occur beneath flooring, inside walls and around plumbing fixtures. Chislehurst Plumbers Ltd provides leak detection and urgent leak repairs across Chislehurst and nearby areas.  

What If a Plumbing Emergency Happens While You Are Away?

If a neighbour, relative or house sitter discovers a significant leak, the first priority should usually be to stop the flow of water if it is safe to do so.

Chislehurst Plumbers Ltd provides 24/7 emergency plumbing callouts across Chislehurst, Bickley, Sidcup, Mottingham, New Eltham and nearby locations.  

Get Plumbing Problems Sorted Before You Travel

A holiday is much easier to enjoy when you are not worrying about what might be happening back at home.

If you have noticed a leak, faulty toilet, radiator problem or other plumbing issue before travelling, Chislehurst Plumbers Ltd can inspect the problem and advise on the appropriate repair.

Call 07711 031494 to arrange a visit in Chislehurst or the surrounding area.