As vacation season approaches, homeowners often overlook some critical maintenance tasks that can prevent costly damage while they’re away. Before you close up your cottage or leave your home for a weekend or longer vacation getaway, it’s essential to turn off the stop valve, adjust your furnace or air conditioner, and take precautions to ensure that your pipes and plumbing systems remain intact during the cold weather.

As experienced plumbing and drainage contractors, we’ve seen the aftermath of many frozen pipe incidents, burst water pipes and other water-related disasters. Take a moment to read through this checklist to ensure your home stays safe and dry while you’re away.

Why Should You Shut off the Water?

No one likes to think about water issues occurring while they’re on vacation, but it’s crucial to prepare for the unexpected. If a leak occurs and water flows into your basement for an extended period—whether you’re gone for a week or a few days—the damage can be substantial and costly. Water damage can affect your foundation, ruin your personal belongings, and potentially lead to mould growth. The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of water-related disasters while you’re away.

Have You Made Arrangements for House Sitters?

If you’ve arranged for a family member or a house sitter to check in on your home—whether they’re feeding pets, watering plants, or picking up mail—make sure they know exactly where the main water shut-off valve is located and what to do in case of an emergency. It’s important to show them around the basement and point out key areas where water could potentially leak, such as near your water heater, washing machine, or dehumidifier. They should also know how to turn off the water supply in the event of a leak or if temperatures drop suddenly.

If there’s a water problem in the basement, it might be related to a sump pump failure or an electrical issue. Instruct your house sitter to unplug the pump, reset the breaker, and plug it back in. You can also contact the team at Best Plumbing and Drainage Contractors to have your sump pump checked and serviced before you leave for vacation. Call us at (519) 438-6565 to schedule an inspection.

What Should You Turn off to Have a Carefree Vacation?

Taking a few proactive steps to turn off and secure your water supply will give you peace of mind while you enjoy your vacation. Here are the essential tasks to handle before you leave:

1) Turn off the Main Water Shut-off Valve and Drain the Pipes

The main shut-off valve is typically located in the basement, near the water meter, often at the front or street-facing wall of your home. Once you’ve turned off the supply, head to the lowest point of your house (usually the basement) and open the faucet to drain the pipes. Then, move to the highest point and open all the faucets, leaving them open to allow any remaining water to drain out.

Additional Tips for Cottage Owners:

• Flush all toilets starting from the highest level and working your way down to the basement. Hold the lever down to ensure the water drains completely from the tank.
• Use environmentally safe antifreeze (either marine or plumber’s antifreeze) in toilet bowls to prevent any leftover water from freezing. Never use automotive antifreeze, as it can contaminate your water supply.
• Empty your dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater, following the manufacturer’s instructions for each appliance.
• Turn off the exterior water supply, which is typically controlled by a ground-level valve inside your basement. Remove any outdoor hoses and drain the waterline by opening the connection to the hose.
• Go back to the basement, open the drain plug on your water heater, and allow it to empty into a bucket. Once done, replace the drain cap.

2) Turn off Your Icemaker and Water Dispenser

To prevent flooding from a malfunctioning icemaker and to preserve the quality of your ice, it’s a good idea to turn off the water supply to your icemaker. Most modern icemakers will automatically turn off when the ice bucket is full, but if you have an older model, there may be a manual switch on the front, or a bar that can be lifted to stop the flow of water.

3) Prevent Pipes from Freezing

Freezing pipes can cause severe damage to your home, especially in older houses. During a cold spell, water pipes near uninsulated external basement walls are particularly vulnerable. Take the time to insulate both your pipes and basement walls. Pipe insulation and foam covers are relatively inexpensive and can help avoid the nightmare of burst pipes.

4) Make Sure the Sump Pump Line Won’t Freeze

Ensure that the outside discharge pipe of your sump pump is properly insulated. Even something as simple as wrapping it with a tarp or stuffing it with straw can prevent freezing. If the pipe is angled downward and away from the house, the water is less likely to freeze. And remember, never use automotive antifreeze in your sump pump system.

5) Unplug Expensive Electronics

It’s a good idea to unplug electronic devices, including TVs, computers, and sound systems, before you leave for vacation. Electrical surges during storms can damage your electronics, often causing gradual wear on circuit boards. By unplugging these devices, you reduce the risk of permanent damage.

6) Lower the Temperature of Your Water Heater

To conserve energy and prevent overheating, lower the temperature on your water heater. If you have a newer gas heater, you may be able to set it to “vacation mode” or simply turn it off to save money. If you have an electric water heater, turn off the breaker for the unit to prevent unnecessary energy consumption.

7) Stop Mail Delivery

To avoid alerting potential burglars that your home is unoccupied, ensure that your mail is not piling up while you’re away. You can quickly suspend mail delivery online and have it held until you return.

8) Use Timers to Simulate Presence

To add an extra layer of security, set timers on your indoor lights to give the appearance that someone is home. Whether you use a smart app or plug-in timers, having lights automatically turn on and off can deter burglars from targeting your home while you’re away.

Final Thoughts

At Best Plumbing and Drainage, we understand the importance of preventative measures to keep your home safe. We want to ensure that homeowners can enjoy their vacations with peace of mind, knowing they’ve taken the necessary steps to protect their property.

With over 50 years of experience serving London and the surrounding areas, you can trust us to handle all your plumbing, drainage, septic, sewer, water main and other water-related concerns. Whether you need a sump pump check-up or a full plumbing inspection, we’re here to help. Call us today at (519) 438-6565 to schedule your service before your next vacation getaway.

Stay safe, stay prepared, and enjoy your vacation worry-free!