27July 2025
Before you pack your bags and head for your vacation this summer, there are a few essential plumbing precautions that can leave your house prepared while you are away for an extended period of time. These simple tips can help you avoid leaks, floods, and water damage in your home.
1. Turn Off the Main Water Valve
A common practice to prevent major water damage is to shut off your home’s main water valve. Doing this will stop the flow of water from the municipal supply into your home’s plumbing system, which will significantly reduce the risk of a leakage or flooding while you are away. The main water valve is typically located at your home’s crawlspace or basement.
2. Turn Off Your Water Heater
Consider switching your water heater to “vacation mode” or turn it off completely to save energy. You should be able to find a control knob at the base of your water heater, which is similarly located at your home’s crawlspace or basement in most situations.
3. Check for Leaks
Before leaving, it is good practice to do a quick inspection for possible leakages under sinks, near toilets, and where your main water valve and water heater are. It is vital to fix any leakages, no matter how big or small, before you leave.
4. Set Your Sprinkler System Wisely
If you use an automatic sprinkler system, make sure that it’s set at the correct frequency and run a test cycle to ensure that everything is working properly. This helps mitigate the risk of flooding your yard or wasting water while you are on vacation.
Enjoy Your Vacation Stress-Free!
Going through this simple checklist before you leave will make sure that your home is in a safe and sound condition while you are away. If you encounter any issues while going through the checklist, such as discovering a pipe leakage, give RZ Plumbing a call to have your home’s plumbing back in shape!