The holiday season is a time of excitement, with families preparing for long-awaited trips and festive gatherings. While travel plans often focus on luggage, flights, and schedules, many homeowners forget the importance of preparing their plumbing before leaving. An unattended home is vulnerable to plumbing issues that can quickly escalate into costly repairs.
At Robinson Plumbing, we know plumbing concerns do not pause for holidays. Homeowners throughout Lehigh Valley count on us for reliable advice and professional plumbing services that keep their properties safe, efficient, and worry-free all year long.
In this article, we will explore essential plumbing tips for the holiday, covering practical steps you can take to protect your system, avoid unexpected problems, and ensure peace of mind while you are away.
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How Unattended Plumbing Issues Can Worsen While You’re Away
Contents
- 1 How Unattended Plumbing Issues Can Worsen While You’re Away
- 2 Common Plumbing Risks During Holiday Travel
- 3 Key Plumbing Steps to Take Before Leaving
- 4 Cold-Weather Considerations for Longer Trips
- 5 How Robinson Plumbing Can Help You
- 6 FAQs: Holiday Plumbing Precautions
- 6.1 Should I Turn Off the Water Supply If I’m Away for Just a Few Days?
- 6.2 Can I Shut Down My Water Heater Completely During Travel?
- 6.3 What’s the Safest Thermostat Setting While I’m Away in Winter?
- 6.4 Are Smart Leak Detectors Worth Installing for Travel Peace of Mind?
- 6.5 How Can I Tell if My Plumbing Is Ready for a Long Trip?
- 7 Conclusion
- 8 Contact Robinson Plumbing for Trusted Plumbing Solutions
Even minor plumbing problems can become serious when no one is home to respond quickly. A small drip or an undetected leak can become significant water damage if left unchecked for days.
This is why preparing your plumbing before leaving is essential. Taking preventive steps in advance can reduce risks and avoid returning to a costly and stressful situation.
Stop Plumbing Problems Before They Grow: Trust Robinson Plumbing for fast, professional service. Call now!
Common Plumbing Risks During Holiday Travel
When a home is left unattended, even small plumbing issues can develop into major problems. Being aware of the most common risks helps you prepare before leaving.
- Leaks from faucets, toilets, or hidden pipes can waste large amounts of water and cause structural damage.
- Frozen or poorly insulated pipes may crack in cold weather, leading to extensive flooding once they thaw.
- Water heater problems, such as leaks or constant operation, can increase energy use and create safety hazards.
- Clogged drains can result in unpleasant odors or even backups if left unresolved.
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Key Plumbing Steps to Take Before Leaving
Preparing your plumbing system before a trip is essential for preventing costly and inconvenient problems. Even a minor issue can worsen when a home is left unattended, so addressing concerns in advance provides security and peace of mind.
1. Shut Off the Main Water Supply
Closing your home’s main water valve is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent disaster. With the supply shut off, any leak that occurs will be limited to the small amount of water already in the pipes, rather than continuing to flow unchecked. This step greatly reduces the risk of flooding and structural damage while you are away.
2. Inspect for Leaks Ahead of Time
Take time to check under sinks, around toilets, near appliances, and along exposed piping for drips, puddles, or corrosion. Even minor leaks can spread and cause significant water damage if ignored. If you notice moisture or suspect hidden issues behind walls or floors, scheduling a professional inspection ensures problems are detected and resolved before they escalate.
Keep Your Plumbing Running Smoothly: Depend on Robinson Plumbing for expert solutions. Call today to schedule!
3. Drain and Protect Outdoor Faucets
Outdoor plumbing is highly vulnerable to cold temperatures. Disconnect garden hoses, drain any water from exterior lines, and cover spigots with insulation to guard against freezing. If your home is in an area with frequent winter freezes, consider upgrading to frost-proof spigots. These specialized fixtures are designed to reduce the risk of burst pipes and provide long-term protection.
4. Adjust the Water Heater
Your water heater should not run at full capacity while the home is unoccupied. Lowering the thermostat or activating vacation mode reduces energy use, prevents overheating, and helps extend the unit’s lifespan.
5. Seek Professional Plumbing Services
Before leaving for an extended period, it is wise to resolve any existing plumbing concerns. Scheduling service to repair leaks, replace worn fixtures, or service your water heater ensures that small problems do not worsen while the house is empty.
A licensed plumber can also verify that key components are working efficiently and safely. Taking care of these issues in advance provides peace of mind, knowing your plumbing system is in good condition and less likely to cause problems during your absence.
Protect Your Home and Your Budget: Prevent leaks and frozen pipes with Robinson Plumbing. Call today for service!
Cold-Weather Considerations for Longer Trips
If you plan to be away during colder months, keeping your thermostat set no lower than 55°F helps prevent pipes from freezing. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to reach hidden pipes, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
Adding pipe insulation to exposed lines in basements, crawl spaces, or near exterior walls provides another layer of protection, minimizing the risk of costly bursts and water damage while your home remains unattended.
Rely on Robinson Plumbing for Trusted Plumbing Solutions: From leak repairs to water heater service, our experts ensure your plumbing is reliable no matter the season. Call now for dependable care!
How Robinson Plumbing Can Help You
Robinson Plumbing offers comprehensive plumbing services to keep your system running smoothly. Our team specializes in leak detection and repairs that stop small issues from becoming costly damage.
Pipe and fixture protection services secure outdoor faucets and insulate exposed pipes. We also adjust water heaters to ensure safe operation and improved efficiency while you are away. With Robinson Plumbing, you can travel confidently knowing your plumbing system is protected.
Stop Problems Before They Escalate: Protect your home with expert plumbing solutions from Robinson Plumbing. Call now to schedule!
FAQs: Holiday Plumbing Precautions
Should I Turn Off the Water Supply If I’m Away for Just a Few Days?
Yes, shutting off the main water supply is still wise, even for short trips. A small leak in a toilet or under a sink can release dozens of gallons of water in just 24 hours. By closing the valve, you eliminate the risk of water damage entirely. For added convenience, some homeowners install individual shut-off valves on appliances like washing machines, which can be turned off without affecting the whole house.
Can I Shut Down My Water Heater Completely During Travel?
Turning it off completely isn’t recommended, especially in colder climates. Doing so could allow water inside the tank to cool too much, increasing the risk of freezing in unheated spaces. Instead, most modern water heaters have a vacation mode or a simple temperature dial that can be lowered. This reduces energy use while keeping the system safe until you return.
What’s the Safest Thermostat Setting While I’m Away in Winter?
The minimum safe setting is 55°F, but homeowners with drafty houses or older plumbing may want to keep it closer to 60°F for extra protection. This helps maintain steady airflow through the home and prevents cold spots that could cause pipes to freeze. If your home has multiple heating zones, set all of them to at least this minimum to avoid uneven conditions.
Trusted Service, Lasting Comfort: Depend on Robinson Plumbing for reliable plumbing solutions. Call now!
Are Smart Leak Detectors Worth Installing for Travel Peace of Mind?
Absolutely. These devices go beyond simply sounding an alarm. Many connect to Wi-Fi and send alerts to your smartphone, letting you take action immediately, even from hundreds of miles away. Advanced models can also be paired with automatic shut-off valves, cutting the water supply as soon as a leak is detected. This makes them a wise investment for frequent travelers.
How Can I Tell if My Plumbing Is Ready for a Long Trip?
Checking for visible issues is a good start, but any leaks, faulty valves, or worn fixtures should be fixed before you leave. A licensed plumber can handle these repairs and ensure essential systems like your water heater and sump pump are in proper condition. Taking care of problems in advance reduces risks and helps you return to a trouble-free home.
Conclusion
Plumbing problems can quickly turn holiday excitement into costly stress when a home is left unattended. Following simple plumbing tips for the holiday, like shutting off the main water supply, inspecting for leaks, protecting outdoor faucets, and adjusting your water heater, can make a substantial difference. A professional plumber can address leaks, worn fixtures, or other problems that may worsen during an extended trip.
Taking care of these issues in advance provides peace of mind and helps prevent costly damage. Before your next holiday, let Robinson Plumbing ensure your plumbing is in proper condition. Contact us today to schedule service and keep your home protected while you are away.
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Contact Robinson Plumbing for Trusted Plumbing Solutions
Robinson Plumbing is your dependable choice for professional plumbing services in Lehigh Valley. We handle everything from pipe and toilet repairs to sump pump installations, water heater replacements, leak detection, and more.
Every service is tailored to your home’s specific needs and budget, with same-day emergency plumbing available to address urgent issues quickly and effectively.
Homeowners across Lehigh Valley rely on Robinson Plumbing for exceptional service and lasting solutions. Our certified plumbers deliver top-quality workmanship and stand behind every job with a satisfaction guarantee.
Facing plumbing concerns? Contact Robinson Plumbing today for prompt, expert assistance.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have! Click the link to view our service area.
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