How to Prep Your Home’s Plumbing for Vacation

With the holidays right around the corner, people are traveling more than ever! And while you may be busy packing your bags, loading the car, or making final travel arrangements for your next vacation, it’s important to ensure that your home’s plumbing is in “vacation mode” before you take off.

Whether it’s for just a few days or an entire month, if you plan on leaving your home alone, the proper plumbing prep is needed to:

• Save money on your monthly energy costs
• Prevent pipes from freezing
• Extend the lifespan of your plumbing
• Prevent burst pipes, leaks, and other plumbing issues

Coming home to any of these issues after a vacation won’t exactly put you and your family in the best mood either, so prepping your system beforehand just makes sense. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Charleston is here with a list of everything that needs to be done before you leave your home alone!

Checklist for Plumbing Before Vacation

There are a few simple things you can do to not only prevent hundreds of gallons of wasted water if something dramatic was to happen while you are away, but you’ll also save yourself from hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in property damage as well.

1. Put Your Water Heater into Vacation Mode

Since you won’t be home, there’s no reason for your water heater to be making and storing hot water. While some water heaters will have a vacation mode that can be toggled on via the control panel, others can either be set to pilot mode or turned off completely.

While water will be stored in your water heater without a flush of the system, which could be done by a professional plumber, all fixtures should be turned on and left running for a few minutes to clear out any odors that develop while you’re away. A water heater flush can also be done upon your return to reset things.

2. Shut Off Your Main Water Valve

If you don’t have sprinklers that need to run while you’re away, it’s beneficial to go ahead and shut off your main water valve. Doing so eliminates any and all potential plumbing issues, because there will be no running water source throughout your plumbing – essentially freezing things in time until you return.

And once you do get home, just run your water for a little bit. Things will be reset, and you’ll be back home with a system free of problems!

How to Find Your Home’s Main Water Shut-Off Valve

The easiest way to locate your home’s main water valve is to look for your water meter in your lawn, and it’s usually a straight shot from there into your home. There will likely be a panel covering access to the valve, which can be slid open, likely in a basement or utility closet.

Locate the handle and turn it until it’s perpendicular to the water line. Once it’s pulled out, the water will be successfully shut off. If the valve is older, it may be a knob that will have to be turned clockwise.

3.Get Leaks & Other Problems Repaired

If you have a severe clog, leak, or other plumbing problem, it’s best to make sure that it’s taken care of before you leave for vacation. Doing so ensures that the problem won’t get worse while you’re away.

Some of the best places to check for leaks include:

• Under sinks
• Around toilet
• At base of water heater
• Ceilings
• Behind appliances
• Kitchen faucets

4. Adjust Your Home’s Temperature Setting

While this one doesn’t involve touching your plumbing directly, adjusting your home’s temperature to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit greatly reduces the chance of your plumbing freezing while you’re away, even during the coldest months.

5. Request a Professional Inspection

One of the easiest and most proactive things to do before leaving your home unattended for a long period of time is to request a professional plumbing inspection to be done a few weeks before you leave, just to make sure there’s time for any repairs or follow-up services before your travel date.

During this inspection, a professional plumber will be able to gain a full understanding of your plumbing’s current health, pinpoint any immediate concerns that need to be repaired before you head out, and even assist in completing other plumbing maintenance to get your plumbing in vacation mode.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Charleston is Your Go-To Northern Charleston Plumber

When you request plumbing services from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Charleston, you’ll get the advice and supplies needed to keep your pipes running while you’re away. You can enjoy your vacation and come home to a plumbing system that’s in tip-top shape!

Prepping your vacation before you leave on vacation can save you hundreds of dollars – and a headache upon your return. Contact us online to learn more about our preventive maintenance and request your estimate!