How Mesa Plumbing Can Help Snowbirds Prepare to Leave for the Summer in Arizona
Arizona’s warm climate attracts thousands of seasonal residents—known as snowbirds—who migrate from colder northern states to enjoy the state's sunny, mild winters. These snowbirds often spend the cooler months in Arizona, enjoying the beautiful desert landscapes and warm weather. However, as the summer heat starts to intensify, many of them return to their homes in the north, leaving their Arizona properties empty and unoccupied for several months.
Before heading back for the summer, it’s important for snowbirds to take certain steps to prepare their Arizona properties for an extended absence. One of the most crucial aspects of this preparation is ensuring that the plumbing system is properly maintained and protected. Neglecting plumbing issues while away can lead to costly repairs, water damage, and more serious problems that may arise during the hot summer months.
Mesa Plumbing is here to help snowbirds prepare their homes for the summer months by providing professional plumbing services that protect your plumbing system while you’re away. From shutting off water valves to ensuring water heaters are properly maintained, Mesa Plumbing can give snowbirds peace of mind as they head back home. Here’s how Mesa Plumbing can assist with plumbing preparation before leaving for the summer.
1. Shutting Off the Water Supply
One of the most important steps in preparing your Arizona property for the summer is ensuring that the water supply is properly shut off. Leaving the water running while you're away can lead to leaks, burst pipes, or flooding, which can cause significant damage to your property. Snowbirds should have a professional plumber like Mesa Plumbing come out to shut off the water supply and ensure everything is securely turned off before leaving.
How Mesa Plumbing Can Help:
- Shutting off the Main Water Valve: Mesa Plumbing will ensure that the main water valve is securely turned off, preventing any accidental leaks while the house is unoccupied.
- Inspecting Shut-off Valves: For added security, Mesa Plumbing will inspect all water shut-off valves (in the kitchen, bathrooms, and outdoor areas) to ensure they are functioning properly. Faulty or worn-out valves can lead to slow leaks or water damage, so ensuring they are sealed properly is essential.
- Winterizing Outdoor Plumbing: In Arizona, the mild winters usually don’t lead to freezing issues, but if you're leaving during the hotter months, it’s a good idea to have outdoor faucets, hoses, and irrigation systems winterized to prevent damage. Mesa Plumbing can disconnect and drain outdoor water systems to prevent corrosion or buildup.
By having Mesa Plumbing ensure the water supply is securely shut off, snowbirds can avoid the risk of costly water damage while they’re away.
2. Water Heater Maintenance
Water heaters are essential to daily living, but they often go overlooked during the winter-to-summer transition. When you leave for the summer, it’s important to either turn off your water heater or put it in vacation mode to ensure that it doesn’t waste energy during your absence.
Leaving a water heater running while you're away is an unnecessary drain on energy, especially if no one will be using hot water in the home. Additionally, a water heater that’s not properly maintained can develop issues while unoccupied. Mesa Plumbing can help ensure your water heater is properly set up to stay off or run efficiently while you’re gone.
How Mesa Plumbing Can Help:
- Turning off the Water Heater: Mesa Plumbing will ensure that your water heater is properly turned off or set to vacation mode. This prevents it from running unnecessarily and saves energy while you're away.
- Flushing the Tank: Over time, sediment buildup in the water heater can reduce its efficiency and lifespan. If you're leaving for the summer, Mesa Plumbing will flush the tank to remove any accumulated sediment, preventing future issues and ensuring it's in optimal condition when you return.
- Inspection and Maintenance: Mesa Plumbing will perform a thorough inspection of your water heater, checking for signs of wear, corrosion, or leaks. Regular maintenance will help prevent problems that could arise while you're away.
Properly maintaining your water heater before you leave for the summer ensures that your water heater will be ready to go when you return and will operate efficiently throughout the year.
3. Pipe Insulation and Protection
In Arizona, freezing temperatures are rare, but extreme heat and fluctuating temperatures can still take a toll on your plumbing system. The intense Arizona heat during the summer months can cause pipes to expand and contract, leading to leaks, cracks, or even burst pipes if they are not properly insulated and protected.
To avoid damage to pipes during your absence, it’s important to have your plumbing system inspected and prepared for the hot temperatures ahead.
How Mesa Plumbing Can Help:
- Pipe Insulation: If needed, Mesa Plumbing can add insulation to your pipes, particularly in areas that may be exposed to heat fluctuations or direct sunlight. This helps to prevent damage from extreme temperatures and minimizes the risk of pipe failure.
- Leak Detection: Mesa Plumbing will perform a comprehensive leak detection check on your plumbing system. This includes checking for signs of damage to pipes and ensuring that everything is secure before you leave. Catching leaks early prevents them from becoming major issues while you're away.
- Checking Outdoor Faucets and Irrigation Systems: If your home has an irrigation system, outdoor faucets, or other plumbing fixtures that are exposed to direct sunlight, Mesa Plumbing can inspect and ensure these systems are in working order before your departure. A broken or neglected outdoor plumbing system can lead to water waste or damage when you return.
Properly insulating and protecting your plumbing system is key to ensuring your home remains safe and damage-free during your absence.
4. Clog Prevention and Drain Cleaning
Before leaving for the summer, it’s important to ensure your drains are free of blockages. Clogs can lead to water backups and unpleasant odors, especially when the house is left unattended for months. Taking preventative measures before you leave will keep your plumbing system in top condition when you return.
How Mesa Plumbing Can Help:
- Drain Cleaning: Mesa Plumbing offers thorough drain cleaning services to remove any potential blockages or buildup in your pipes. This ensures that water will flow smoothly and prevents issues from arising while you’re gone.
- Preventing Clogs: Our team can also advise you on how to prevent clogs by ensuring that your plumbing system is clear of any debris or buildup that could cause problems. For example, a drain trap cleaning will prevent grease or food particles from causing blockages.
- Inspecting Sewer Lines: Regular sewer line maintenance can prevent major backups, particularly in homes that are left unattended. Mesa Plumbing will inspect your sewer lines for signs of damage, clogs, or tree root intrusion, addressing any issues before they become a serious problem.
By having Mesa Plumbing clean and inspect your drains and sewer lines before leaving, you reduce the risk of unpleasant surprises upon your return.
5. General Plumbing Inspections and Maintenance
While preparing your plumbing system for an extended absence, it’s important to have a general inspection done to ensure everything is working properly. A professional plumber can identify potential issues and address them before they escalate into major problems.
How Mesa Plumbing Can Help:
- Comprehensive Plumbing Inspection: Mesa Plumbing can perform a full plumbing inspection to check for any issues, such as leaks, worn-out parts, or faulty valves, and make necessary repairs.
- Faucet and Toilet Checks: Drips and leaks in faucets and toilets can waste water and potentially cause damage. Mesa Plumbing will check all faucets and toilets for leaks and address them before you leave.
- Pressure Regulation: Mesa Plumbing will also check the water pressure in your home to ensure that it’s set at the optimal level. High water pressure can cause damage to pipes over time, while low pressure can lead to inadequate water flow.
Conclusion: Peace of Mind with Mesa Plumbing
Preparing your Arizona home for the summer is an important task for snowbirds. By ensuring that your plumbing system is properly maintained, you can avoid costly repairs, water damage, and inconvenience upon your return. Mesa Plumbing provides a range of affordable services to help snowbirds prepare their plumbing systems for an extended absence, from shutting off the water supply to inspecting and maintaining water heaters, pipes, and drains.
If you’re planning to leave Arizona for the summer, trust Mesa Plumbing to help you protect your plumbing system so you can enjoy peace of mind while you’re away. Contact us today to schedule a plumbing inspection and maintenance before you head out!