When you preparing to leave your house for an extended period of time, there is a list of certain duties you tend to in order to protect your home from certain disaster while away. From turning off all the lights but one, to locking all doors, putting a stop on your mail, charging your exterior security devices, and more. But of all the important tasks that must be done before you depart, it can be argued that the most crucial point of interest is the main water.
Continue reading to learn what you need to know about shutting off your main water prior to taking a trip.

Flood and Water Damages
Most homeowners, and even tenants, know to turn off the main water when leaving for a long period of time. Too often, people have come back from a vacation or business trip to find their living room under water. This is not something anyone wants to deal with, as the costs and time involved in restoring flood and plumbing damage can be quite extensive. Fortunately, water damage and flooding accidents can be virtually 100% avoidable so long as you turn off your main water valve before taking off.
Main Water Shut Off
You must plan around your personal water needs on the day of your departure. You don’t want to turn off your water, and then realize you still want to brush your teeth or wash your hands one more time. Be sure to take care of all your tap water-related needs before turning it all off.
It is recommended to turn off your water a few minutes before leaving the house. This way, you can give the system some time to adjust, and you can check to see that it’s fully off. In order to turn off your main water supply, you must know where the valve is located. Generally, you will find it in the utility room, or near the water softener and water heater.
Most often, this valve can be adjusted manually, but sometimes, older valves are more stubborn, and might require a set of pliers or a wrench. If you have never adjusted the main water valve before, it is strongly encouraged to ask someone for help a few days before you are set to depart. This “dry run” will give you the confidence to locate and adjust your main water valve as needed.
When You Come Home
Once you arrive home from your trip, you will likely want to wash up as soon as possible. For this reason, the first thing you should do after setting down your bags and switching on the lights is to turn your water back on. While you bring the rest of your house back to life, the water system can adjust and your water heater can warm up.
Keep in mind, it can take up to 48 hours (yes, 2 days) for your water heater to warm your water back up to the temperature you are used to. If your water does not warm up sufficiently after a few days, check the temperature setting to see if it was turned down. If it is still set where you want it, contact a local Indianapolis water heater plumber for an emergency inspection and service.
Indianapolis Water Heater Repair Plumbers
Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing and water heater repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to give you free advice, anytime. Our highly trained and licensed plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services. And as a family owned and operated company since 1901, you can trust us to deliver outstanding workmanship and customer support. Request a free estimate, today.
