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Post-Christmas Water Damage is avoidable: returning from the Christmas break only to find water damage awaiting you is a disturbing experience, it’s that time of year when the festive spirit fills the air, marked by the arrival of a jolly figure in red and white, adorned with a handmade white mustache, spreading cheer with a sack full of gifts and warm greetings.
Christmas brings gatherings, joy, reunions, family get-togethers, and a whole lot more. It’s a season when loved one’s rush home to share memorable moments.
This period sees increased travel, with people leaving their homes to revel in the holiday spirit with their dear ones. All modes of transportation—be it air, road, or rail—are bustling with reservations, often reaching capacity due to the surge in holiday travel.
For many, this time is the sole opportunity in the year for uninterrupted quality time with family. Planning for this festive season is a priority for most, ensuring they make the most of this cherished time.
However, the spirit of Christmas is one that is not restricted to anyone, and it is characterized by traveling, like I previously said, but after all the festivities, hangouts, reunions, and lots more entertaining activities, you will have to go back home.
Going back home is never a bad idea; at a point, you have to, but getting home to meet post-Christmas water damage is nothing but a bad and unpleasant way to cap all the fun you had during the festive period.
This has been the experience of some home owners because they refused to do a cross-check of the water appliances in their home.
However, you don’t have to be scared, and you don’t have to cancel that special trip, because this article will help you with tips, steps, and procedures on what to do to keep your house in good shape while you are away for Christmas celebrations to avoid any form of water damage.
What is water damage?
Firstly, before we proceed, let us take a brief look at what water damage is.
Water damage is the negative effect of a water outbreak on homes and properties. It can be a natural event in the form of a flood or a man-made mistake leading to leakages or water outbreaks in homes.
Tips to Avoid Post-Christmas Water Damage Surprises!
Switch off the water
This is one of the simplest things a home owner can do before traveling for his or her christmas holiday. It might look simple, but you have no single chance of finding a home without water damage if you refuse to turn off the water.
Homeowners should take out time and intentionally, without giving room to any laziness, do the needful of checking every water appliance in the house, making sure that all water taps are turned off.
Make sure the pipe is drained of every drop of water.
Every major step given in this article is important; leaving any of it out is definitely dangerous, which makes draining a pipe not an exemption.
We can still not conclude that your home would be safe from any water damage after coming back from that Christmas holiday.
After turning off the pipe, another important thing to do is to make sure that every single drop of water in that pipe is drained out.
Considering the high level of coldness during this period, the water left in your pipe might freeze if there is no constant movement, and this is capable of putting more pressure on the pipe, which might finally break and lead to a post-Christmas water damage.
Switch on your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are mainly utilized for the purpose of controlling the temperature, purity, and humidity of the air in an enclosed place or space.
You might be wondering why you need to keep your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning on when you are not. When there is no ventilation in an enclosed space for a very long period, it will lead to intense heat, which will definitely pave the way for the growth of mold in the enclosed space.
But having your HVAC on will help to provide necessary ventilation and regulate the heat level when you’re away. Also, it is not necessary to have your HVAC running at the level you are used to when at home; just keep running at a normal pace that will help regulate the temperature in the space.
Keep your gutter and downpipe cleaned.
Before you go on vacation, make sure your gutter and downpipe are cleaned of any form of debris that might hinder the flow of water. This will help provide a passage for water just in case rain falls or there is heavy snow.
You might consider this a stressful exercise, but not doing it will put your house in danger of a water outbreak, which can definitely result in post-Christmas water damage.
As you prepare to travel for the christmas holiday, take the time to do the needful in order to avoid stories that touch the heart after a wonderful and fulfilled Christmas holiday.
Inform a friend to help you conduct regular checkups in your absence.
One of the ways to avoid coming back home to a water-damaged home after the Christmas holiday is to put your trust in a friend to help you conduct regular checkups on your home.
Your trusted friend will help to examine every item needed in the house to avoid any water damage. Putting your trust in a friend will definitely give you peace of mind that your house is safe and in safe hands.
Before you leave for the holiday, make sure you show your friend every water appliance in the house and strategic places to protect against water damage.
In conclusion, safeguarding your home from post-Christmas water damage surprises is a proactive measure that ensures a smooth transition into the new year.
By taking simple yet effective precautions, such as inspecting and maintaining your plumbing, addressing potential leaks, and being mindful of seasonal factors like freezing temperatures, you can shield your home from the unexpected challenges that water damage may pose.
Remember, a little effort now can save you from the inconvenience and costly consequences of post-Christmas water damage later. So, as you bid farewell to the holiday season, embrace the peace of mind that comes with a well-protected home. Here’s to a dry and worry-free start to the upcoming year!