Leaving for summer vacation involves more than packing your bags and securing your home. One important step many homeowners overlook is deciding whether to turn off water before vacation.
At Robinson Plumbing, a trusted local plumbing company in the Lehigh Valley, we help homeowners protect their plumbing systems with professional inspections, repairs, and maintenance services that reduce the risk of unexpected water damage while a home is unoccupied.
This article explains when shutting off your water is recommended, when it may not be necessary, and the additional precautions you can take to help protect your home while you’re away.
Why Turning Off Your Water Before Vacation Can Protect Your PA Home
Turning off your home’s main water supply before leaving for vacation is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of unexpected plumbing damage. While your home sits empty, even a minor leak can go unnoticed for days.
Closing the main shutoff valve stops water from flowing through the plumbing system, helping prevent extensive flooding caused by burst pipes, failed supply lines, or leaking plumbing fixtures. It also limits the damage hidden leaks behind walls, beneath sinks, or around plumbing connections can cause to drywall, flooring, insulation, and cabinetry.
In addition, shutting off the water protects appliances connected to the plumbing system, including washing machines, refrigerators with ice makers, dishwashers, and water filtration systems. If a hose, valve, or fitting fails while you’re away, turning off the water supply significantly reduces the amount of water that can escape, helping minimize repairs and giving you greater peace of mind during your vacation.
When You May Want to Leave the Water On
Turning off the water before vacation is not the right choice for every home. Some systems need a continuous water supply to operate properly. For example, automatic irrigation or sprinkler systems connected to the main water line may need to remain active to keep landscaping healthy unless they use a separate water source.
Residential fire sprinkler systems should also stay operational to protect the home while it is unoccupied, unless a qualified professional recommends otherwise. You may also want to leave the water on if a family member, house sitter, or property manager will be using sinks, toilets, or other plumbing fixtures during your absence.
Certain water treatment systems, boilers, and specialized plumbing equipment may also have manufacturer guidelines for extended water shutoffs. Checking those recommendations before you leave helps prevent unnecessary equipment issues and ensures the system continues to operate as intended.
How to Prepare Your Plumbing Before Leaving
Taking a few minutes to prepare your plumbing system before you leave can help reduce the risk of unexpected problems while your home is unoccupied.
- Shut Off the Main Water Valve: Find your home’s main water shutoff valve before your trip and make sure it operates properly. Knowing where it is and confirming that it closes completely allows you to quickly turn off the water before leaving.
- Relieve Pressure in the Plumbing System: After shutting off the main water supply, open one or two faucets to release built-up pressure and drain any remaining water from the pipes. This helps reduce stress on the plumbing system.
- Check for Existing Plumbing Issues: Inspect faucets, toilets, exposed pipes, appliance connections, and supply lines for leaks, corrosion, loose fittings, or signs of moisture. Addressing small problems before your trip can help prevent larger repairs later.
- Set the Water Heater to Vacation Mode: If your water heater has a vacation setting, enable it before you leave. If not, lowering the temperature according to the manufacturer’s recommendations can reduce energy consumption while helping protect the system during an extended absence.
Additional Ways to Protect Your Pennsylvania Home While Traveling
Preparing your plumbing before vacation involves more than turning off the water. These additional precautions can further reduce the risk of unexpected damage while you’re away.
- Install Smart Leak Detection Devices: Smart leak detectors can monitor for moisture or unusual water activity and send alerts to your smartphone, letting you respond quickly if a problem develops.
- Have Someone Check Your Home: Ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or property manager to periodically inspect your property for plumbing leaks, storm damage, or other signs of trouble during your absence.
- Inspect Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures: Check garden hoses, hose bibs, outdoor faucets, and irrigation connections for leaks, loose fittings, or visible wear before leaving to reduce the chance of outdoor water loss.
When to Schedule a Professional Plumbing Inspection in the Lehigh Valley
Scheduling a professional plumbing inspection before your vacation can help minimize the risk of unexpected plumbing issues while your home is unoccupied. Homes with older pipes, shutoff valves, or plumbing connections are generally more susceptible to leaks and component failures over time.
If you’ve had recent plumbing repairs or recurring leaks, a thorough inspection can verify that those issues have been properly resolved. Homeowners who cannot locate or operate the main shutoff valve should also have it inspected to ensure it functions correctly when needed.
Even if no obvious problems are present, a comprehensive plumbing evaluation can identify developing issues early. Addressing potential concerns before you leave helps protect your home and provides greater confidence throughout your trip.
FAQs: Turn Off Water Before Vacation
Should I Flush the Toilets Before Leaving for Vacation?
Yes. Flushing the toilets before you leave helps ensure clean water is in the bowl and tank. If you’ll be away for several weeks, consider adding a plumber-approved bowl treatment to help reduce staining and odors. Running each faucet briefly before departure can also help ensure the plumbing system is functioning properly.
Will Turning Off the Water Affect My Refrigerator’s Ice Maker?
Yes. Once the water supply is shut off, automatic ice makers and water dispensers will no longer receive water. Emptying the ice bin before leaving prevents old ice from sitting for an extended period, and you can discard the first batch of ice produced after you return to ensure freshness.
Can I Shut Off Water to Only One Part of My House?
Yes. Many homes have individual shutoff valves for appliances and plumbing fixtures, such as washing machines, toilets, sinks, and outdoor faucets. Closing these valves allows you to isolate areas at higher risk of leaks while keeping water available to the rest of the home if necessary.
Should I Turn Off the Water if Temperatures Will Be Very Hot While I’m Away?
Hot summer temperatures generally do not require you to shut off your home’s water supply, but prolonged heat can place additional stress on aging plumbing components and appliance hoses. If your home will be vacant for an extended period, turning off the water provides added protection against unexpected leaks that could go unnoticed until you return.
What Should I Do When I Turn the Water Back On After Vacation?
Turn the main water valve on slowly to allow the plumbing system to repressurize gradually. Once the water is restored, check faucets, toilets, appliance connections, and exposed pipes for leaks. Running cold water for a few minutes at several fixtures also helps flush out any stagnant water that may have remained in the plumbing system during your absence.
Conclusion
Turning off your water before summer vacation can help prevent costly water damage caused by hidden leaks, plumbing failures, and appliance malfunctions while your home is unoccupied. Evaluating your home’s plumbing system, knowing when to leave the water on, and taking a few preventive steps before you leave can help protect your property during your trip.
If you’re preparing for vacation and want to make sure your plumbing system is ready, contact Robinson Plumbing. Our experienced plumbers can inspect your system, identify potential issues, and help protect your home while you’re away.
Call Robinson Plumbing for Expert Plumbing Service in the Lehigh Valley
Homeowners trust Robinson Plumbing for dependable plumbing services throughout the Lehigh Valley that promote reliable water flow, efficient system performance, and long-term peace of mind. Our experienced plumbers provide a full range of solutions, including leak detection and repairs, drain cleaning, water heater maintenance, sump pump services, fixture replacements, and detailed plumbing inspections to help keep your home’s plumbing in excellent condition.
Every service begins with a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying cause of the problem and recommend the most effective solution. From routine maintenance to unexpected plumbing repairs, we complete every job with careful workmanship, durable materials, and a commitment to lasting results.
Contact Robinson Plumbing today to schedule a plumbing service appointment. Our knowledgeable team is ready to help maintain the safety, efficiency, and reliability of your plumbing system throughout the year.
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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