Should You Shut Off Your Water and Water Heater Before Vacation?
As every homeowner knows, water is not something you want to mess around with.
Something as simple as a small leak can cause thousands of dollars in repairs, all while spreading mold and other health-jeopardizing conditions to your floors, walls, and ceilings. This is especially true during Georgia’s humid and stormy summers, and for homeowners who live in older buildings with aging pipes.
So, what should you do if you’re traveling—when you’re out of the house for days on end? Should you turn off water when on vacation? The short answer is: it depends.
At C&C Plumbing, our team has served the Athens and Northeast Georgia communities for over 20 years. From trip length to plumbing condition and water heater type, we’re here to discuss all of the factors that go into answering the question so many of our customers ask: Should I turn off my water when I go on vacation?
Should You Turn Off the Water When Going on Vacation?
Should you shut off water when on vacation? As mentioned, the answer depends on three main factors: the length of your trip, the condition of your plumbing system, and your specific type of water heater.
If you’re traveling away from home for just a couple of days, you generally don’t need to shut off your water or water heater. Short trips are low-risk, as if something does go wrong, you’re back before things get catastrophic. But if you’re planning to be away for a week or longer, shutting off your water is something to seriously consider.
Houses with older piping systems will find this especially true, as will homeowners who’ve had to work through plumbing issues. In those cases, shutting off your water can help prevent an incident you wouldn’t be able to monitor. Alternatively, you can also have someone stop by your house, which can make shutting everything off unnecessary. Just make sure they’re aware of what to look for.
If you do decide to shut things down, preparing your water heater, specifically, depends on its type:
- Gas: Set it to “pilot” mode—don’t fully shut it off without following manufacturer guidance
- Electric: You can safely switch it off at the breaker
- Tankless: Generally safe to power down, but check manufacturer instructions beforehand
How to Shut Off Your Water Before Vacation
While it might sound daunting, shutting off your water before vacation is usually straightforward.
Start by identifying your main shutoff valve—this is often in the basement, crawl space, utility closet, or near your foundation. If you have a wheel-style valve, turn it clockwise until it stops; if your valve is lever-style, turn it 90 degrees so it’s perpendicular to the pipe.
After doing so, turn on your faucets to ensure water is off and to let residual pressure and water drain. This is especially important during cold weather.
Finally, you’ll want to turn off your water heater to prevent it from heating an empty tank. You can also do this for your washing machine and dishwasher, which have individual supply valves behind them.
If you don’t feel confident about following any of these steps, you can always give a professional plumber a call.
When You Should NOT Turn Off the Water
While shutting off your water and water heater before traveling can be a smart idea, it’s worth reiterating that there are some instances where doing so is unnecessary and can actually be harmful.
These include:
You’re Only Leaving for a Short Trip
Are you escaping Georgia for just a weekend or a few days? If so, you can probably skip shutting off your water.
Of course, if you have a particularly old or temperamental system, turning things off might still be a good idea. But in general, the answer to, should I turn my water off when I go on vacation for just a few days, is no.
Your Home Still Needs Running Water
Do you have someone staying at your home? How about pets or an irrigation or filtration system? If so, you can skip turning off your water.
If shutting off your water will lead to a practical problem, it’s best to avoid doing it.
You Haven’t Used Your Shutoff Valve in Years
When’s the last time you’ve used your water shutoff valve? If the answer is years, decades, or never, messing around with it might lead to complications.
From mineral deposits to corroded valves and degraded internal components, an untouched water valve is best left to a professional.
Additional Vacation Plumbing Tips
Before heading out, a few additional steps can go a long way toward protecting your home while you’re away.
Take a moment to check your washing machine and dishwasher hoses for cracking or bulging, as both of these appliances are surprisingly common sources of major leaks. You’ll also want to avoid running them immediately before you leave.
Investing in a smart leak detector under your sink, near your water heater, or behind your washing machine is also a good idea. These are excellent at monitoring moisture and can notify your phone if they detect water.
Finally, if you have someone stopping by your home, make sure they know where your main shutoff valve is. If they need to access it, you want them to be able to do so quickly!
Signs Your Plumbing System May Need Inspection Before Vacation
Vacation has a way of turning small plumbing problems into costly big ones. If your system is already showing warning signs, you’ll want to have a professional fully service it before leaving.
Should you turn off water when on vacation? That might depend, but keep an eye out for these common indicators of issues:
- Rust colored water or an aging water heater: Discolored water can point to corrosion, while an aging water heater (most last 8 to 12 years) can cause problems
- Dripping pipes or a history of leaks: Another predictable source of vacation water damage
- Low water pressure throughout your house: This is often a broad, systemic symptom that suggests a larger issue rather than a single fixture issue
Give Yourself Peace of Mind With C&C Plumbing
You shouldn’t have to worry about your plumbing system, particularly when you’re away from home. While you might wonder, should I shut off water on vacation, a little preparation beforehand goes a long way towards preventing a headache when you return.
As Georgia rolls into the wet and stormy months of summer, C&C Plumbing is here to bring you peace of mind. With 20 years in business and 100+ years of combined experience, our team can provide the inspection your pipes need to not let you down.
Before your next trip, let C&C Plumbing help ensure your plumbing system is vacation-ready. Contact us to request a service.
