Plumbing issues are a common occurrence for many Airbnb renters and hosts. This article provides tips on how you can avoid the most common plumbing problems when renting out your home to guests, including choosing an appropriate toilet size, identifying leaky faucets, and keeping drains clear.
Types Of Airbnb Rentals
Airbnb has transformed the hospitality sector by giving an alternative to hotels, similar to how Uber changed the transportation industry. Airbnb has been a platform allowing tourists to interact with local hosts since 2008.
Airbnb properties that can be rented include:
1. Houses and apartments: These are typically larger properties that can accommodate families or groups of travelers. They may offer additional amenities, such as fully-equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and outdoor spaces for relaxation and recreation. Internet access and wifi are also usually included.
2. Cottages and cabins: These smaller properties are perfect for couples or small groups looking for a more
3. Private Rooms: You can also rent out just a private room in a larger residence.
4. Shared Rooms: To save money, you can also rent out a shared room at an Airbnb.
Companies sometimes use Airbnb for their workers, and these usually include high-speed WIFI, nearby or connected laundry facilities, desks or workstations, and access to public transportation.
Handling Plumbing Issues That Occur At An Airbnb
At Airbnbs, guests enjoy a low-cost, authentically furnished temporary living place, while hosts make additional cash. It’s a win-win situation for everyone — unless when there’s a plumbing issue, of course.
Airbnb guests are often unprepared for the plumbing issues that can arise when renting a home. Here are some tips to avoid these issues.
5 Ways To Avoid Plumbing Issues While Staying At An Airbnb
Today, Airbnb has roughly 3 million hosts in more than 100,000 places across the world. According to surveys, 14,000 new hosts join the network each month. That’s a lot of potential plumbing issues for Airbnb guests! Thankfully, preventive maintenance may help you avoid giving your visitors a terrible Airbnb plumbing experience and prolong the life of your property’s plumbing.
Much of this depends on how long you intend to stay at your Airbnb residence. If you stay longer than 1 month, it may be worth doing the following tasks.
1. Carry Out Routine Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is essential for healthy, long-lasting home Airbnb plumbing. If feasible, self-inspect your Airbnb’s plumbing system once a month to spot any visible indicators of deteriorating plumbing early on. The majority of catastrophic plumbing catastrophes may be prevented by recognizing early warning signals and responding swiftly to problems.
Of course, knowing what to check for during a self-plumbing examination is crucial. The following is a list of items to look for while inspecting the plumbing in your Airbnb home, organized by plumbing fixtures:
- Kitchen and bathroom sinks: Leaky faucets and the possibility for leaks beneath sink units, rusted or unclean aerators, shut-off valve issues, leaking connections, and clogged/inoperable trash disposals.
- Leaking from the toilet tank or connected pipes, “running” toilet noises, flush efficiency or speed, and toilet stability are all things to consider when it comes to toilets.
- Drain blockage, low water pressure/flow, and stopper failure in showers and baths.
- Pressure valves and unit temperature, possible leakage, and input valves in home water heaters
- Leaking from sprinkler heads and spigots, water concentrations on your lawn, and lush green patches are all examples of outdoor water fixtures.
Additionally, ensure that your drains are properly cleaned and maintained. Avoid using chemical-based pipe cleaners, for example, since excessive use of these products may erode your pipes from inside. To break down and remove trapped debris, we suggest utilizing basic hot water flushes or vinegar/baking soda solutions instead of chemical cleaning agents. If your Airbnb visitors have a small issue, you may also provide advice on how to fix it. More information about natural drain cleaning options may be found here.
You may also buy a professional-grade drain snake, or an auger, from your local home improvement shop to attempt to solve the issue without hiring a plumber for more serious obstructions. We don’t advise Airbnb visitors to do this on their own; not only is it their holiday, but an untrained DIY project might result in damage and a dispute over who pays what. More about snakes vs. augers may be found here.
2. Replace Plumbing Fixtures If Needed
When it comes to your Airbnb plumbing system, one of the worst things you can do is ignore outdated pipes or fixtures that need to be replaced. This is particularly crucial if you have a high-volume Airbnb with a diverse range of visitors who use the plumbing in a variety of ways.
The expense of pipe repair or replacement is, of course, the major reason people put it off. Restoration of home/property water lines, whether due to aging, corrosion, root incursion, or soil activity, isn’t something most people associate with cost. There are, however, methods to save repair expenses and avoid the costly landscaping activities that are sometimes involved with pipe repair. Trenchless solutions to dig-and-replace repairs, such as pipe lining, are one example. These approaches may enable you to avoid uprooting lawns and destroying paved surfaces altogether, perhaps saving you up to 30% on pipe repair. Of course, this necessitates the services of a professional plumber, which brings us to number three…
3. Hire A Professional Plumbing Company
If you have a mild to serious plumbing problem, you should call a reputable plumber in your region straight away. Before hiring a plumbing specialist to repair your plumbing, have them come to your house or property and evaluate your fixtures for the source of damage or failure, as well as offer an estimated fee based on this assessment.
In addition to the monthly self-inspections you should be undertaking, we recommend having a professional plumbing firm evaluate your property and fixtures once a year to maintain your Airbnb plumbing in the best condition for the long term. Of course, we don’t say this simply because we’re plumbers! Continue reading to learn more!
4. Assemble An Airbnb Support Group
While some users live on their property long-term, they can benefit by assembling a local support group that can help them with any emergency plumbing issues they may have. Neighbors can have the phone numbers for a plumber, an electrician, and home cleaning services. If a problem develops, you won’t be left stranded in your Airbnb.
Hosts can also use this strategy when they rent their homes out and leave town. They can always call a person in their support group to help their customer resolve a plumbing issue that pops up.
5. Prioritize Communication
It is critical to keep up communications with your friends, neighbors, and the host of the property. Make sure your host is within easy access. This way, when a pipe breaks, a repair service is not far away.
To learn more about “how to leave an Airbnb” and avoid plumbing issues with your stay at an Airbnb, you can view this guide. The article also includes tips on cleaning up after yourself, as well as how to handle the situation if there are any problems.
When planning to inspect a home’s plumbing, you may have some questions regarding certain features and fixtures. You can learn more in How Often Should You Clean Your Drains?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you prevent plumbing problems?
A: To help prevent plumbing problems, do not put anything down a drain that does not belong there. Also, always wash your hands before you touch anything such as faucets and pipes. This will also help reduce the risk of contracting diseases such as Hepatitis A or Typhoid Fever that can be spread through contact with these items.
How do I disinfect my Airbnb?
A: There are many different ways to disinfect an Airbnb, but the most important thing you can do is make sure that no one has been in there before you and stay on top of any cleaning supplies that expire.
What are the dos and don’ts of Airbnb?
A: Some dos to consider when using Airbnb are taking care of your neighbors, having good communication with the host and guests in your listings, and cleaning up after yourself. Don’ts include not being respectful towards other people’s belongings or property.
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