Summary

10 Vacation Tips from Your Trusted Plumbing Professional: Here are the key things I encourage Tacoma, WA, homeowners to consider before leaving town to protect their homes while they are away.

10 Vacation Tips from Your Trusted Plumbing Professional

10 Vacation Tips from Your Trusted Plumbing Professional

10 Vacation Tips from Your Trusted Plumbing Professional

10 Vacation Tips from Your Trusted Plumbing Professional | As a Trusted Advisor, At Your Service Plumbing would encourage homeowners to think beyond locking the doors and setting the alarm. A home is a system, and your plumbing system is one of the few systems that can cause significant property damage while you’re away.

Here are the 10 vacation tips I would encourage homeowners to consider before leaving town:

1. Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Is

If you do nothing else, know where the main water shut-off is located.

If a pipe, water heater, supply line, or appliance develops a leak while you’re gone, turning off the water supply can prevent thousands of dollars in damage.

Ask yourself:

  • Does everyone in the household know where it is?
  • Can it be operated easily?
  • Has it been tested recently?

If you’re leaving for more than a few days, many homeowners choose to shut off the water to the home entirely. Click here for a step-by-step guide to shutting off your water before you leave and turning it back on when you return.

2. Consider a Smart Leak Detection System

Technology has made it easier than ever to protect your home.

A smart water monitoring system can:

  • Alert you to unusual water use
  • Detect leaks early
  • Automatically shut off the water in some cases
  • Allow you to monitor your home from your phone

This is especially valuable if:

  • You travel frequently
  • You own a second home
  • Your home is older
  • You’ve experienced leaks before

Think of it as a smoke detector for your plumbing system. Homeowners with automatic sprinkler systems find this valuable because they don’t want to shut off their water in the summer while they are away. Click here to learn more.

3. Pay Attention to Your Water Heater

Before leaving:

  • Check around the water heater for signs of moisture
  • Look for rust, corrosion, or staining
  • Consider placing the heater in vacation mode if applicable

A failing water heater is one of the more common sources of water damage in homes.

4. Inspect Appliance Supply Lines

Many major water losses begin with a small supply line.

Check:

  • Washing machine hoses
  • Ice maker lines
  • Dishwasher connections
  • Under-sink supplies
  • Toilet supply lines

If they are old, cracked, corroded, or unknown in age, replacement may be a wise investment before they become an emergency.

5. Make Sure Drains Are Flowing Properly

Slow drains can become bigger problems while you’re away.

Before leaving:

  • Address any slow or backing-up drains
  • Listen for gurgling
  • Pay attention to recurring clogs

These can sometimes indicate larger drain or sewer issues.

6. Prepare for Seasonal Weather

Summer Travel

  • Ensure irrigation systems are working properly
  • Check outdoor hose faucets for leaks
  • Verify sprinklers aren’t spraying against the home

Winter Travel

  • Protect exposed pipes from freezing
  • Keep heat on at a safe temperature
  • Consider winterization if the home will be vacant for an extended period

Frozen pipes can create catastrophic damage when they thaw.

7. Have Someone Check on the Home

If you’ll be gone for more than a week:

  • Ask a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor to stop by
  • Have them look for:
    • Water around fixtures
    • Dripping faucets
    • Water heater leaks
    • Running toilets
    • Unusual sounds

Small issues become large issues when no one notices them.

8. Test Your Sump Pump (If You Have One)

A sump pump is often the last line of defense against flooding.

Before leaving:

  • Pour water into the pit
  • Verify the pump turns on
  • Confirm water is discharged properly

This is particularly important during rainy seasons.

9. Don’t Ignore Small Leaks

Many homeowners tell themselves:

“It’s only a drip.”

A small leak can become a large leak while you’re away.

If you’ve noticed:

  • Dripping faucets
  • Moisture under sinks
  • Water stains
  • Running toilets

Address them before you leave. Club members receive an annual plumbing system maintenance visit as part of their membership. Click here to learn more about how our Lifetime Diamond Club can help bring peace of mind.

10. Have an Emergency Plan

Ask yourself:

  • Who would I call if something happened?
  • Does a trusted neighbor have access?
  • Do I know how to shut off water remotely or have someone do it for me?
  • Do I have my plumber’s contact information readily available?

The best time to make a plan is before an emergency occurs. At Your Service Plumbing is here when you are away!

Call or text 253.448.8168

Email: servicerequest@atyourserviceplumbing.com

The Trusted Plumbing Advisor Perspective

The goal isn’t to create fear; it’s to help you avoid surprises.

Most plumbing emergencies don’t happen because homeowners ignore a major problem. They happen because a small issue went unnoticed long enough to become a big one.

Before your next trip, take a few minutes to walk through your home and ask:

“If I were gone for two weeks and something failed today, what would protect my home?”

That’s the essence of getting ahead of a break.

A whole-home plumbing inspection, an annual maintenance visit, or a smart leak detection system can provide peace of mind and help you enjoy your vacation, knowing your home is protected while you’re away.

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