When leaving your home for an extended vacation, the plumbing system in your home will often be idle. But just because the plumbing is unused does not mean you will not return to find that you now have unexpected plumbing issues.
Several problems can happen in a home’s plumbing even when the system is not in use. Countless homeowners have returned from vacation only to discover that a plumbing leak has caused flooding and severe water damage, says TJC Management.
That is why it is essential to take steps to prevent plumbing problems before leaving your home to go on a vacation. What can you do to protect your plumbing while away from your home? Find the answers in this post.
Turn off the water supply
Turning off the water supply is the best way to prevent water damage and other issues in the plumbing. Turning off the water supply will help you avoid these common problems:
Leakages
Undetected leaks are a major cause of water damage in homes. Damage from leaky pipes can be minimized when people are at home. But when you are on vacation, one small leak from a broken pipe can cause extensive damage.
High water pressure
High water pressure can exploit weak spots in the piping to cause leaks and fractures, or it can expand existing leaks into massive ruptures. This problem can cause severe flooding inside your home.
Tree root damage
Leaks in underground water pipes draw tree roots to buried pipes. If tree roots penetrate the pipes, they can clog them or cut the water supply to your home. The longer you are away from your home, the more damage tree roots can do to your plumbing.
Dipping faucets
Even if it is dripping at one drop a minute, a leaky faucet can run up a huge water bill before you return from vacation. Wasted water will be in the hundreds of gallons, and you pay for all that water.
Other leaks
A running toilet is easy to fix, but there could be other leaking fixtures in your home. To ensure hidden leaks don’t leave a sour taste in your mouth when you return from your trip, turn off your home’s water supply.
Water hammers
This is a momentary increase in water pressure inside the plumbing. It can cause massive damage to water pipes and connected appliances. You can protect your plumbing from water hammers by turning off the water supply.
Turn off the home’s water supply at the main shut-off valve. You can find it in the basement, crawlspace or attic. It may be located under a slab or in a utility box near the front sidewalk. If you have a problem locating or shutting the valve, you may want to talk to your local plumber.
Drain fixtures to protect plumbing from freeze damage
After shutting the water supply, you want to drain the water from your pipes, hoses and fixtures. The reason is to protect your plumbing from damage by frozen water. If the water inside a pipe freezes, it exerts enough pressure to burst the pipe.
Unplug outdoor hoses
Do not leave hoses connected to outdoor faucets. Remove the hose and drain it before putting it in storage. Open all outdoor faucets until all the water inside them has drained out.
Drain indoor plumbing fixtures
Open all faucets in your home to drain them. Also, flush your toilet before you leave the house. Frozen water inside the toilet tank can damage it very quickly.
Turn off your water heater
Depending on the type of water heater, you may want to leave it on or turn it off.
Electric water heaters
For electric water heaters, the best option is to turn it off. If you do this, remember to turn off the cold and hot water supply. When you return from your vacation, do not forget to open the water supply before turning the water heater back on.
Gas water heaters
Most gas water heaters have a vacation mode that you can use instead of turning the water heater off. However, if you are concerned about gas leaks while away from your home, turn the water heater off.
The best option will depend on what the water heater manufacturer says. Consult the user manual to know what to do about your water heater when going on vacation. If you need help with making the right decision or turning the water heater off, please talk to a local plumber.
Finally, before going away on vacation, inspect your plumbing generally. That’s because small issues can become massive problems before you return. Talk to a competent residential plumber in your area and have them do a thorough inspection of the system.