As seasonal residents return to Southwest Florida this October, Bullseye Home Services is urging homeowners to inspect their plumbing before turning the water back on. The Osprey-based plumbing, drain and sewer company says that homes left closed through the hot, humid summer months are at risk for hidden leaks, dried-out drain traps, and worn fixtures that can cause significant water damage.
According to the Ellis Team at KW Florida Living, every October thousands of seasonal residents return to Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel and surrounding communities. Bullseye Home Services reports seeing the same trend in Osprey, Nokomis, Laurel and Venice, where calls spike as homeowners discover problems that developed while they were away.
"A house that has been shut for six months does not tell you about a problem until you start using it again," said Joshua Chastain, General Manager of Bullseye Home Services. "The first shower, the first load of laundry, the first time the water heater runs hard, that is when a worn valve or a tired supply line gives way. Walking through the plumbing in the first few days back costs far less than finding the leak after it has been running behind a wall."
The company notes that water sitting in a heater tank, toilets that have not been flushed, supply lines and shut-off valves that have not moved, and drain traps that can dry out and let sewer odor into the house are the most common issues. The Insurance Information Institute reports that about one in 60 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing, underscoring the potential cost of undetected leaks.
To help homeowners avoid costly repairs, Bullseye Home Services recommends several steps before turning the main water back on: look under every sink and around the water heater for staining, corrosion or dampness; turn the water on slowly and run each faucet and flush each toilet to clear air and sediment and refill drain traps; read the water meter with every fixture off, then again an hour later to check for leaks; watch the base of the water heater during the first heating cycles; and check braided supply lines for bulging or rust. For more detailed plumbing repair guidance, homeowners can visit the company's website.
Bullseye Home Services holds Florida plumbing license CFC1431212 and serves Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties from its Osprey headquarters at 440 N Tamiami Trail, with a second location in Fort Myers. The company offers leak location, fixture and supply-line repair, water heaters, drain cleaning and sewer lines, and reports over 1,500 five-star reviews from Gulf Coast customers. More information about services in Osprey and the surrounding area is available at callbullseye.com/service-area/osprey.
For seasonal residents, a few minutes of inspection can prevent extensive water damage and costly repairs, making it a critical first step upon returning home. As the snowbird season begins, Bullseye Home Services' advice serves as a timely reminder to check plumbing systems before resuming normal water use.
