How to Prepare Your Plumbing for Extended Vacations or Seasonal Absences

Don’t overlook your plumbing when preparing for a seasonal or extended getaway. Neglecting it can lead to costly issues like water damage, mold, or burst pipes. With a few strategic steps, you can protect your home and enjoy your time away worry-free. Begin with these key tasks.

Shut Off the Main Water Supply

Shutting off your home’s main water supply is the best thing you can do to avoid plumbing disasters when you will be away for a long time. This straightforward measure prevents water from entering your pipes. It helps prevent leaks, flooding, and pressure damage. A burst pipe while you’re away may go unnoticed and cause serious harm. Turning off the main valve takes just a minute and is one of the easiest steps to take before leaving.

Your main shut-off valve will be found close to the periphery of your home. It’s generally in the basement, the crawl space, or the utility. Run a faucet to ensure no more water flows after switching it off. This is even important in case you’re leaving during freezing weather, as it helps prevent ice from forming in the pipes. 

An additional defense layer is installing a smart water shut-off device capable of detecting potential leaks and allowing remote control. However, even without fancy equipment, manually turning off the water can be a robust defense measure.

Drain Pipes and Water Heaters to Prevent Freezing and Stagnation

Once you close the water supply, the second thing to do is empty your pipes and water heater. This will assist in removing all the lingering water that may end up freezing and damaging your plumbing in the event of cold weather. Water can stagnate in pipes in temperate areas, leading to odor problems. It can also cause mineral buildup due to scaling and an elevated risk of internal pipe corrosion. Draining the system will keep your plumbing clean and safe when you are out.

First, open all hot and cold faucets to allow the water left to flow out. Empty flush toilets and run showers until they run dry. Look at the instructions given by the manufacturer on how you can safely drain your water heater. This usually entails attaching a hose to a drain valve and allowing it to drain to a holding place. Do not forget to drain outdoor spigots and sprinkler systems, as well. Once you have drained everything, leave the water faucets a little open so that the pressure can be relieved and condensed moisture can dry up.

When winterizing your home, local advice is extremely valuable in regions that experience extreme cold. In Minnesota, seeking experts in plumbing in Inver Grove Heights can help prepare your plumbing system for any season.

Guard Against Stagnation, Mold, and Appliance Leaks

In addition to the pipes, machines attached to your piping system, such as a dishwasher, a washing machine, and a refrigerator, are a risk when unattended. Stagnant water in a hose or a filter may encourage mold and bacteria growth, whereas undetected spills may destroy floors and cabinets. Check such appliances before you depart, and unscrew their water supply pipes or turn off the water tap.

Refrigerators with ice makers and/or water dispensers should be turned off or emptied if you can. Washing machines and dishwashers should go through a last cycle and be opened while empty to air dry. Unplugging them is also smart to prevent electrical problems and save energy. Put some mats or trays under them to catch drips, just in case there’s a leak.

Endnote

The best welcome gift to yourself is coming back to a dry, undamaged house. Turning off the water source, draining your system, and protecting it against stagnation and freezing make your house much safer to leave unattended. Now you can enjoy your time away without worrying about your plumbing.