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Do you recommend shutting off the main water valve when going on vacation? I've heard so many horror stories of something bursting while away and it basically destroying the entire house. I'm a first time homeowner and would be devastated if that happened. If you do recommend shutting off the main water supply, what other steps are also necessary? I have a gas water heater, located in a unheated garage. I'm assuming I would need to turn off the gas and possibly drain the tank? I've read a lot of conflicting advice. What do you guys recommend?
Shutting off your main water supply is a good idea if it makes you feel more comfortable when you are out of town, and it’s some added insurance that you won’t have a major water problem when you come home. But, it’s really all about timing. What if your pipes burst when you are at work? You wouldn’t shut off your water every time you go to work. Pipes do tend to leak first then the leaks get noticed and you fix the problem before any major damage. Therefore, the longer you are going to be away from the house would determine when to shut off the main water supply. (I would say more than one week would be a good rule of thumb.) One of the first things to burst is the washing machine hose (rubber). If you have rubber hoses, you should have them changed to steel braided hoses. Have your pressure regulator checked every 6 months or whenever it seems like your water pressure is going up. You can do this yourself with a $5.00 gauge from home depot that screws onto your hose bib outside. (It should read between 55 & 75 psi.) As far as the water heater, there is no need to shut off or drain the water heater, the best thing to do is turn the temperature gauge to the Vacation mode when you are out of town. It does all boil down to how much precaution you want to take when you are away from the house. Most people don’t do anything, some people do a little, and I am sure there are some people who shut off the main gas and the main water when they are not going to be home overnight. I’ve owned my house for 30 years and I never turn anything off and I have never had a problem. If you have concerns about your plumbing, I suggest you contact a professional plumbing contractor, such as the ARS/Rescue Rooter branch in Durham, NC at (919) 865-7777, to perform a complete plumbing system check.
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