Save your toilets, drains and roof when you travel south

One of the things my company does is assist snowbirds in closing down their home before they travel south for the winter. There are a few things to consider before locking the door behind you.

A. The water supply to the toilet and sinks should be shut off and the toilet drained of all fluids. The toilet should be cleaned thoroughly making sure there are no remaining rings to contend with later. This process should be easy because there is no fluid to dilute the bowl cleaner. The bowl should be rinsed thoroughly, use a sponge to soak up any remaining fluid.

Once the bowl is dry, stretch plastic wrap across the top of the toilet bowl, preventing it from being contaminated during the family's absence. Note: Make sure the plastic wrap is removed when you return, otherwise you have a different type of mess to clean up.

B. All drains (sinks, garbage disposals, floor drains, etc.) should have about 1/2 cup of mineral oil poured down them before leaving. The mineral oil will keep the trap moist, preventing sewer gas from leaking back into the home.

C. Clean out your rain gutters. If the gutters back up with water and freeze, this could cause damage to the roof in the form of ice damming. Ice will form under the roof eaves and roofing material. This problem can be very costly to repair in the spring.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed Madan at Northwest Environmental Services (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified executive housekeeper and certified fire, water and mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is chief executive officer of Northwest Environmental Services, which specializes in commercial, residential construction, and crime scene/meth lab cleanup.