What do you do to prevent water damage when you're gone?

Users who are viewing this thread

SteveW

DIY Senior Member
Messages
1,282
Reaction score
22
Points
38
Location
Omaha, NE
I just got back from a 3-day trip. I have gotten into the habit of turning off the stops to the toilets, turning off the gas to the water heaters, and shutting off the supply valves to the washing machine when I'm gone for more than a day. I just got to thinking, and realizing that obviously not every catastrophic water leak can be prevented, was wondering what other simple measures others do to prep their house for being away?
 

Master Plumber Mark

Sensitivity trainer and plumber of mens souls
Messages
5,533
Reaction score
354
Points
83
Location
indianapolis indiana - land of the free, home of
Website
www.weilhammerplumbing.com
the best thing I know of

why shut down every item separately


what about washing machine hoses bursting??

what about outside hises being turned on while you are gone...kids do that.

why not just shut off tthe whole hosue off at the main??

maybe flush the toilets to relieve the pressure in the lines...

then you know for sure........

the gas on the heater just set on vacation...


their isnt much else you can do
 

George R

New Member
Messages
87
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Central Illinois
HA! Several years ago the family and I left on a 2 wk vacation and I shut off the main and the water heater like MPM said, but neglected to turn off the icemaker in the freezer. When we got back we had a whole trayful of light blue ice cubes. At the time we had one of the blue disinfecting tablets in the tank of the toilet.

Best I could figure, the icemaker called for water and got it the best place it could. Given the water was off I guess it siphoned it from the toilet tank. Didn't do that again.

I still don't fully understand how this happened, but I have no other explanation for blue ice cubes.
 
Last edited:

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,771
Reaction score
1,191
Points
113
Location
New England
For many locals it is code, and it is a good idea for anywhere - replace the toilet valve with an anti-siphon type. It should prevent this from happening. Course, the valve could be worn out and leaking already...
 

Plumber1

Plumber
Messages
1,417
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Florida
blue

If you had left a cold water tap in the on position at the lowest point would have relieved any slight leak through from the main valve. Remember that gate valves are not positive shut-offs.
 

westflo

New Member
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Missouri
When I'm going away from my home for more than a day, I make sure that I turn the main valve off. In that way if there would be leaks, it would only be outside of my home.
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,600
Reaction score
1,037
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
Proper toilet fill valves will NOT siphon the water out, and even if they did, there is not enough pressure to open the icemaker solenoid valve. I do not know what happened, but what you said is the least likely to have been the cause.
 

sjson

New Member
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Minnesota
Ya, I would turn the main valve off. You can maybe do a routine check on the pipes in your bathroom or kitchen to see if there any damp areas that could potentially lead to leakage.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks