As exciting as a winter vacation can be, it could come with some trepidation as you leave your home behind. This may especially be the case if temperatures are expected to drop below freezing. Plumbing problems, such as frozen pipes or leaks, may occur while you’re away, resulting in an unpleasant surprise when you return. Not taking precautions could lead to issues such as structural damage and mold growth, especially during long vacations. Shutting off various aspects of your plumbing system and practicing preventative measures before leaving can help prevent serious, damaging problems.
Main Water Supply
Your main water supply is the primary part of your plumbing system that you should shut off before going on a winter vacation. It prevents water from flowing into your home while you’re away. Additionally, this action plays a crucial role in preventing catastrophic flooding. Even if a pipe were to freeze and break, there would be no water pressure since you turned off the supply. This means water won’t cause indoor flood damage.
Toilet Valves
Each toilet has a valve behind it that you can turn off before leaving for your trip. Shutting them off, including in guest bathrooms, helps prevent leaks from flooding the space. Once you shut the valve off, flush the toilet to clear the tank of water. If left as is, the water may freeze, expand, and cause damage to your toilet, depending on the temperature.
Ice Maker Line in Refrigerator
Many homeowners leave their refrigerators plugged in while they go away on a winter vacation. However, if the appliance has an ice maker and it malfunctions during your trip, you could return to a mess. Your best option is to turn off the appliance’s water supply so no water goes to the ice maker. You’ll typically find the shut-off behind the refrigerator or inside of it. Don’t forget to also remove any ice. If the power goes out, you won’t have to worry about melting ice leaking out while you’re gone.
Tank Water Heater
Leaving your tank water heater running as usual can lead to multiple problems. For starters, you’re wasting money while you’re away. Tank heaters continuously heat the water they hold, which means you’re paying to heat water that no one will use. Additionally, if the water heater malfunctions while you’re gone, such as if it leaks, you may return to water damage. Before leaving, you could either set your water heater to “vacation mode” or shut it down completely.
Dishwasher
Shutting off the valve to your dishwasher can prevent water damage if your appliance leaks while you’re away. You’ll typically find the shut-off valve behind the dishwasher. Drain the water after turning the valves off.
Washing Machine
Whether your washing machine is in a closet, laundry room, or kitchen, a leak or hose burst could easily flood the space. Shut off both the hot and cold valves. Usually, they’re on the wall directly behind the appliance. Drain the remaining water from the lines.
What Should I Do If Someone Is Checking on My Home?
If someone is popping in to check on your home, leave notes on everything you’re shutting off. For example, put a note on the toilet bowl lid so they don’t accidentally use the toilet while it’s off. Leaving notes throughout your home will also serve as a reminder to turn everything on when you get back.
Do I Need to Shut Everything Off Along With the Main Water Supply?
Many homeowners simply shut off the main water supply when they’re going away on a winter vacation. While this is the primary action you should take, taking extra precautions helps prevent additional issues. Turning off individual appliance valves reduces any leftover water in the lines and adds another layer of protection while you’re away.
Do I Need to Take These Steps During Short Trips?
It’s a good idea to take these steps, even if you’re only going away for a short period of time. This is especially true if you know the temperatures are dropping below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, which increases the risk of burst pipes.
Should I Shut Everything Off If My Heat Is Still On?
Homeowners typically won’t leave the heat on high while they’re away on a winter vacation. If you’re one of the many who leave your heat set much lower than usual, then you should shut everything off. However, you should also turn off various aspects of your plumbing system, even if you leave the heat on. There are no guarantees that, even if your heat is running, pipes won’t burst while you’re away or leaks won’t occur.
Should I Turn Everything Off if the Temperatures Won’t Drop Below Freezing?
Your risk of coming home to a burst pipe during winter is significantly lower if temperatures don’t drop below freezing. However, weather conditions could always unexpectedly shift. If the temperatures drop while you’re away and you didn’t take precautions, there’s a serious risk you’ll return to water damage. Additionally, even if the outdoor temperatures are above freezing, leaks could still happen if appliances malfunction. It’s better to take precautions and turn everything off rather than risk coming home to a problem.
When Should I Shut Everything Off?
Your best option is to shut everything off not long before you’re walking out the door. Leave yourself enough time to go room by room. This also gives you a chance to check that everything is safe and secure before leaving. Write a checklist of what you need to shut off in each room, which ensures you won’t accidentally forget anything.
Should I Get a Professional Plumbing Inspection Before Vacation?
It’s a good idea to schedule an annual professional plumbing inspection during the fall. This allows our team at Great Dane to assess your plumbing system to make sure it’s in good condition. It can give you peace of mind that it has a higher chance of withstanding freezing winter temperatures. During the appointment, our plumbers perform various tasks, such as checking your water heater and looking for leaks. Once we complete the inspection, we’ll inform you of our findings and recommend appropriate next steps. If your plumbing system needs any repairs or replacements, we suggest handling them before going on vacation.
Call us today to schedule an appointment for plumbing services in the greater Detroit area.
