Preparing to leave your home for an extended period of time comes with what feels like a never ending to-do list. Whether you are going on vacation, visiting family or leaving for business the last thing you want to come home to is a leak that decided to pop up after you left. Here are a few tips to help prevent this unwelcome homecoming surprise from happening.
Turn Off At The Source
If you know you will be gone for a while or won’t have anyone checking in on your property, then you may not have the need for water to be utilized at all during your absence. If this is the case, you can turn the water off at the main shut off for your home to be certain that no water will leak. The main water supply is typically located near the front of a home and is often next to a hose connection. Your main service may also be located in a box in the ground. This box is typically also found in the front yard. Turning water off here should prevent any and all water from getting to your property from the city supply. If you attempt to turn the water off and are unable to do so, we recommend scheduling an appointment with us as soon as possible to have the main service repaired. This will allow you to turn the water off to your home quickly in the event of a future emergency.
***Note- If you turn off the main water supply to your home, and have a recirculating pump on your water heater, please make sure to either turn it off or unplug it for the duration of time the water will be off, this will keep the motor from burning up.
Individual Emergency Shut Off Valves
Turning the water off completely may not be a feasible option for everyone while traveling. If you have pets that will have an occasional sitter, or plants that get watered on an automatic timer, you may need to leave water accessible to parts of your home while limiting usage in other areas. If this is your situation, you should be able to turn water off to fixtures that you know will not be used in your absence. Toilets, sinks, refrigerators and washing machines all typically have their own emergency shut off valve(s) that can be turned off to prevent water usage. If you decide to utilize this option it is important to remember that not everything in your home that uses water has an emergency shut off valve, showers and bathtubs are the most common among these. again, we recommend testing the emergency shut off valves prior to your departure date to make sure they are all operating as intended.
Freezer Trick
Now that you don’t have to worry about coming home to a flooded kitchen or bathroom, you can start thinking about other ways to prepare your home for your departure. One trick we use (and recommend) is to freeze a cup of water and once frozen, place a quarter on top of the frozen water. Leaving this in your freezer while you are gone is a very easy way to determine if your home (or freezer) lost power at any point while unattended. If the coin is in the ice and not on top when you return, you know that the ice started to melt and the coin dropped to the point where the ice melted to.
In the unfortunate circumstance that you do come home to find a watery mess, please call our office today to schedule an appointment for one of our expert plumbers to help resolve the issue. Happy and safe travels from all of us here at Instant Plumbing and Rooter!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I prevent water leaks while I’m away from home for an extended period?
A: If you’re going to be gone for a while and don’t need water in your property, the best option is to turn off the main water supply to your home. This should effectively stop any water from entering your property and prevent leaks. The main shut-off is usually located near the front of your home, either next to a hose connection or in a ground box.
Q: I have a recirculating pump on my water heater. Is there anything special I should do if I turn off the main water supply?
A: Good catch! If you have a recirculating pump and you’re planning to turn off the main water supply, make sure to either turn off the pump or unplug it. This will prevent the motor from burning up while the water is off.
Q: What if I can’t turn off the main water supply because I have pets or plants that need water?
A: No worries, you can selectively turn off water to specific fixtures that won’t be used while you’re away. Toilets, sinks, refrigerators, and washing machines usually have their own emergency shut-off valves. Just remember to test these valves before you leave to make sure they’re working properly.
Q: I’ve heard of a trick involving a quarter and a cup of frozen water. What’s that about?
A: Ah, yes! Freezing a cup of water and placing a quarter on top is a simple trick to check if your home lost power while you were away. If you come back and the quarter is still on top of the ice, you’re good. If it’s sunk into the ice, it means the ice started to melt, indicating a power loss.
Q: What should I do if I come home and find a leak despite taking all the precautions?
A: First off, we’re sorry to hear that, but we’ve got your back. In case of a water leak, call our office to schedule an appointment. One of our expert plumbers will come out to assess and resolve the issue for you. Safe travels!
