Turning Off Your Water When Going on Vacation

Returning from vacation to a flooded home or business is one of the least pleasant ways to finish your time off. If you find out it was something you could have avoided, it will sting even more. The good news is, you can help prevent this from happening if you turn off your water when you go on vacation. Read on to discover why it’s not bad to shut off the water to your house or business before leaving on a trip.

Why Turn Off the Water When Going on Vacation?

Whether you plan on heading out for a few weeks or just overnight, turning your water off is smart and a simple way to avoid ruining or cutting your trip short. Leaving the water on keeps your property connected to the city system. Turning your water off before you leave can prevent damage, keep you from paying partial insurance claims and eliminate the surprise of an unexpected remodel.

What About a Vacation During the Winter?

When on vacation in the winter, you may wonder if it is ok to shut your water off in the winter. The answer is yes, you should still turn off the water. Shutting off the water to your home or business is safe to do year-round, but can be especially beneficial during the winter season. Cold temperatures can cause standing water to freeze, leading to burst pipes and soggy situations.

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What All Should You Turn Off When Going on Vacation?

Before you leave on vacation, run through a list of everything you should adjust. For example, turning off the water is a recommended thing to do, but turning off a water heater when on vacation is unnecessary. However, you can save energy by switching your water heater to vacation mode or lowering the temperature. You can also set your thermostat to match ambient temperatures to reduce the load on your HVAC system.

How to Shut Off the Water

Water shut-off valves usually operate using a wheel or lever. For businesses, the water shut-off valve location will vary. If you are unsure of where to locate yours, call a plumber for assistance. You will most likely find your home water shut-off valve in the basement, concrete slab, crawl space or landscape.

To turn the water off, grip your valve and turn clockwise about 90 degrees until you feel it stop. For added protection while away, run your faucets to empty the pipes. Draining the pipes relieves pressure and will eliminate additional chances for leaks.

Trust Your Plumbing to the Local Professionals

If you are unsure about where to begin, we can help. Leggett Inc. is your local plumber. We have over 50 years of experience serving homeowners and business owners throughout Harrisburg and all of South Central Pennsylvania. We provide a wide range of plumbing services that are all backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our experts can help you with preventive maintenance and bringing your system up to code.

To schedule a service or get more information, call us at 717-737-4562 or send us a message online.