How to Prevent Water Damage to the Home

Vacation-Ready Plumbing Tips for the Summer

When you are planning a vacation and leaving your home unattended, it is the most vulnerable time for potential water damage. A pipe bursting or a leak caused by a water heater could lead to significant property damage. Reduce the risk of water damage and safeguard your home with these three tips:

• Make sure water pressure is regulated to between 40 and 80 PSI.
• Check water heaters regularly and proactively replace them when they reach the end of their life expectancy. 
• Install a whole-home water monitoring device to catch leaks as they happen.

In this article, we’ll discuss some practical advice in these three areas that you can start using right away.

Managing Water Pressure

When it comes to protecting your home from water damage caused by plumbing leaks while you’re away on vacation, managing water pressure plays a crucial role.

Understanding the Risks of High Water Pressure

High water pressure greatly increases the risk of sudden plumbing leaks inside your home. Cheap sink and toilet supply lines can break under higher pressures, and solenoid water inlet valves on appliances like dishwashers and clothes washers are more prone to developing leaks in a high water pressure environment. That is why it’s essential to keep your water pressure below 80 PSI (pounds per square inch).

How to Check the Water Pressure in Your Home

It’s not hard to check water pressure for yourself! You’ll need a water pressure gauge that can be screwed onto an outside hose faucet. If it’s too high, you probably have a failed PRV (Pressure Reducing Valve). These devices regulate and maintain safe water pressure throughout your home. Most people don’t even realize their PRV has failed until they start to experience the consequences of high pressure throughout their home.

Professional Services for PRV Installation and Replacement

Our licensed plumbers replace or install Pressure Reducing Valves on a regular basis in Frisco, Mckinney, and some parts of Plano. We don’t take short-cuts with this process! Our installation process follows all local plumbing codes and leaves you with a high-quality, accessible PRV plus a new whole-home shut off valve. With Legacy Plumbing, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home’s water pressure is under control, reducing the risk of potential water damage.

Addressing Worn-out Water Heaters

When it comes to protecting your home from water damage while you’re away on vacation, addressing worn-out water heaters is a critical step. Old and rusty water heaters can develop leaks that worsen rapidly, potentially causing catastrophic damage to your home. These appliances are often installed in areas such as attics above living areas or inside closets, where water damage can be particularly devastating.

When to Replace Your Water Heater

Do you know how old your water heater is? Gas water heaters typically last about 10-12 years with the water quality in the North Dallas area. Electric water heaters tend to have a slightly longer lifespan of around 13-15 years. 

It is considered best practice to replace gas water heaters when they get to be around 10 years old if they are located in areas where a leak could result in significant damage (like in the attic or hallway closet). Electric water heaters should be replaced after 13 years.

If you are planning a trip where you won’t be home for a week or two and your water heater is reaching the end of its life expectancy, it can be a home-saver to make sure it gets replaced before you leave. Also, if you are planning on having house-guests over, the water heater will be put under more stress with the added hot water usage. This is another wise opportunity to replace an aging water heater proactively. 

Other Signs of Water Heater Leaks to Watch Out For

Age is not the only factor to consider. Water heaters can start leaking around the supply lines or at thermal expansion tanks well before reaching their expected lifespan. It’s crucial to regularly check for signs of oxidation or calcium buildup, as they can indicate potential leaks. If you notice any discoloration, corrosion, or mineral deposits on your water heater, it’s a red flag that warrants attention. 

Visually check where both water pipes connect to the top of the tank. Check at the base of your expansion tank. Also check in the pan around the base of the water heater for signs of moisture.

Legacy Plumbing’s Expert Water Heater Services

Whatever your water heater needs are, we can help! Our experienced plumbers can inspect your water heater thoroughly and discuss any issues found, plumbing code compliance, and leak risk factors. 

Whether it’s time for a replacement or you need repairs and maintenance, our team loves to equip you with both the “what” and the “why” behind all recommendations and services. No pressure sales or unnecessary work  – only real information about best practices and the specific factors affecting your home’s plumbing. 

Installing Whole-Home Water Monitoring Devices

When it comes to protecting your home from water damage while you’re away on vacation, installing a whole-home water monitoring device can be a game-changer. One popular option in the market is the Flo by Moen.

Features of the Flo by Moen

Flo by Moen is a whole-home water monitoring device that can help you detect leaks, save water, and protect your home from water damage. It features the following:

• MicroLeak Technology: This technology can detect leaks as small as a single drop per minute, even behind walls and in foundations.
• Automatic Water Shutoff: If Flo detects a leak, it can automatically shut off your water supply to prevent further damage.
• Water Usage Monitoring: Flo tracks your water usage and provides you with detailed reports so you can see where your water is going and identify areas where you can save water.
• Smart Alerts: Flo sends you alerts on your smartphone or tablet if it detects a leak, a sudden increase in water usage, or a power outage.
• Remote Control: You can use the Flo app to remotely turn your water on and off, check your water usage, and get alerts.

Expert Installation and Adherence to Codes

Flo by Moen is a valuable tool for homeowners who want to protect their homes from water damage and save water. Legacy Plumbing is Moen Pro qualified installers – we have the expertise and experience to install these according to both local codes and manufacturer standards.

When you choose Legacy Plumbing for installing a whole-home water monitoring device, you can trust that the job will be done right. Contact Legacy Plumbing today to explore the possibilities of installing a whole-home water monitoring device like the Moen Flo. Our team is ready to assist you in safeguarding your home against water damage, providing you with the peace of mind you deserve while you’re away on vacation.

Helping You Get Your Plumbing Vacation-Ready

When it comes to protecting your home from water damage while you’re away on vacation, Legacy Plumbing is your trusted partner. With our expertise and comprehensive services, we can help you with water pressure issues, worn-out water heaters, and whole-home water monitoring devices like the Flo by Moen. 

If you have questions about any of these services, we would be happy to help! We give upfront pricing and specialize in clear explanation of options so that you can make an informed decision about taking care of your home.