Should You Turn Your Water Off When on Vacation?

Before heading out on vacation, there are many steps that homeowners often take. Some of these include unplugging devices, adjusting the thermostat, and closing all the blinds. But should turning off your water supply make that list?

You’re probably not in the habit of turning off the water each time you leave the house, and you shouldn’t be. It’s impractical to do so that often, but it’s recommended if you’re headed away from your house for an extended period of time, like a vacation. There are many benefits to turning off your water, and this guide from All American Home Services covers them.

Benefits of Turning Off Your Water

If you’re on a relaxing vacation, the last thing you want to deal with is a plumbing problem back home. However, this is exactly what might happen if you don’t shut off the water before heading out. Even for just a quick weekend trip, there’s plenty of good reasons to shut your water off, including:

Prevent Damage

Imagine that you’re returning from a vacation. You’re happy and relaxed until you open the door to your home to see that it’s been flooded. Your carefree vacation mood will quickly come to an end.

Broken pipes, undetected leaks, and other plumbing problems can spiral out of control in your absence, causing water damage and even flooding. This can ruin electrical devices, cause mold growth, and damage furniture, carpets, rugs, and more. Plus, it only gets worse the longer your time away from home lasts. Turning your water off can help you protect your home against massive damage.

Save Money

Recovering from a flooded home can be a massive expense, even with insurance. Not only will there be the costs of hiring a plumbing company, but you’ll also need to replace many of the damaged items. Carpets, flooring, electronics, personal items, and even walls can be ruined, and your homeowners policy may not cover the replacement costs.

Avoid Stress

Ultimately, leaving your water on during a trip is simply not worth the potential stress. Home damage, lost personal items, and looming repair costs can cause undue stress on any homeowner, so it’s best to avoid it all by shutting your water supply off.

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How To Turn Your Water Off

Now that we’ve covered the reasons to turn your water off, it’s a good idea to add this to your checklist before you leave your home, even if it’s for just a quick weekend trip. Fortunately, turning your water off is quick and easy, so there’ll be no added hassle.

The first thing you need to do is locate the main water supply valve in your home. This is typically located inside your home, near the area where the main pipe enters the house. In some homes, it may also be on the exterior where the pipe connects to the water meter. Once you’ve located the supply valve, you can turn the water off. Most supply valves have a wheel control or a lever. For wheels, just turn them clockwise or flip the lever. Your water supply should now be off.

Call All American Home Services for Plumbing Help

Once you’ve added shutting the water off to your vacation to-do list, you’re good to go! You’ll be able to avoid any unpleasant plumbing surprises. For any other plumbing tips or help in the Tampa area, you can count on All American Home Services. We’re here for you 24/7, and our highly trained plumbers are ready to tackle any plumbing problem you’re dealing with.

Call us at 813-486-4038 or contact us online today with any of your plumbing questions!