The one plumbing disaster that's totally preventable is the one that happens while you're away — a supply line lets go, and nobody's home to catch it for a week. Five minutes before you leave saves the nightmare.
The quick checklist
- Shut off the main water valve if nobody will be home. No water in the pipes = no flood. (If you have an irrigation system or someone watering plants, you can isolate just the house instead.)
- Turn the water heater to "vacation" mode (or lower the temp). No sense heating water for an empty house — and it eases stress on the tank.
- Check under sinks and around the water heater for any existing drips. A small drip now can become a big one over two weeks.
- Test your washing machine hoses — bulging or cracked supply hoses are a classic while-you're-gone failure. Shut off their valves if you can.
- Clear slow drains before you go so nothing's sitting and smelling when you get back.
Going away for a long stretch?
For extended trips, have someone check the house periodically, and consider a smart water-leak sensor or an automatic shut-off that kills the water if it detects a leak. For a second home or rental, a pre-season plumbing once-over is cheap peace of mind.
Not sure your main shut-off works, or want things looked over before a long trip? give K2 a call and we'll make sure you leave with a dry-house guarantee you can trust.