Should I shut off my main water valve?

Author: Raoul White  |  Last update: Friday, September 15, 2023

Remember to shut off the main water supply to your home any time you're planning to be away for more than 24 hours. Yes, that includes weekend breaks. It's the best way to avoid serious water damage in the event of a plumbing failure.

Is it OK to leave water main off?

"There is no downside to turning off the water. It takes a little bit of time, and it can save thousands of dollars in potential water damage."

Is shutting off water bad for pipes?

While frequently turning on and off the water can cause too much pressure to be put on the water pipes, turning it off doesn't harm the system.

Does shutting off water affect water heater?

If your main water supply is turned off for any reason, it's best to shut down the water heater as a precaution until the supply resumes. Continuing to run your water heater when the tank isn't full could cause heat damage to the internal components.

Should I turn off main water valve before vacation?

To prevent damage to your home, it is advisable to turn off the main shut-off valve before going on a vacation. You can find the main valve in the basement, crawlspaces, concrete slab, or the attic.

Shutting Off The Water: How to Find the Main Water Shut Off Valve

What happens when you turn off the main water valve?

Your Home's Main Water Shut Off

Sometimes it can be found along a wall in your garage, or even under your kitchen sink. When turned off, it shuts down all water flowing into your home. As you can imagine, when a pipe bursts, knowing how to turn off that water flow becomes invaluable knowledge.

How long should water run after turning off main valve?

After all faucets are open, let the COLD WATER run for at least 30 minutes. During this time, also flush each toilet in your home 2 or 3 times.

Can I shut off the water to my house and safely leave the water heater on while I'm away on vacation for a week?

As a water heater heats up, the water expands Unless you have an expansion tank, a small amount of water must be allowed to backup into the water mains. If the main water valve is turned off, there is no place for the water to expand into. So, do not turn off the water and leave the water heater on.

Should I turn off my water heater when I go on vacation?

If you're away during warmer months, placing the water heater in vacation mode is unnecessary, and the heater can just be powered off. This goes for both gas and electric water heaters. For gas, twist the thermostat dial to the OFF position. For electric models, turn off the water heater at the circuit breaker.

Should I turn off water heater when leaving house?

If you have an electric water heater, it is recommended that you shut off the power and the cold water supply to the water heater if you are going away for any length of time. You will save electricity and limit any damage in case the tank leaks. Upon your return, do a visual inspection of the water heater.

Is it OK to turn off water to toilet for a week?

How Long Can You Turn Off Water to a Toilet? Like turning off your toilet's water for a night, it's safe to do so for a week. While you can keep your toilet water off for as long as you'd like, we wouldn't recommend it unless you have a problem with your toilet's plumbing system.

Should you turn off main water supply when going on vacation in winter?

Even if you're only leaving for a few days, it's a great idea to shut off the water supply to your house. It's quick and easy to do and it lets you have one less worry while you're away. You don't need to turn off the water at every valve under sinks, behind the toilet, or near the water heater.

What does the outside water shut-off valve look like?

The gate shutoff valve is round and shaped like a wheel. To close, turn the shut-off valve clockwise until it's firmly closed. The ball valve has a lever handle, and to close it, you turn the handle one-quarter clockwise until it's tightly closed.

Why do I need to turn off water heater?

If your hot water tank is empty and is not going to be refilled right away, you should turn off your water heater. This will prevent the tank from taking any damage from excessive heat buildup while it's empty. There are a couple of common reasons your hot water tank would be empty.

How long can water sit in hot water tank?

As an estimate, the water in your tank should stay hot for a day or two. The larger the tank, the greater the heat loss will be, and it depends on the quality of your tank as well as the form of insulation you have.

What to turn off when leaving the house for a week?

Unplug Appliances and Electronics

Save money on your energy bill and avoid the risk of an electric fire while you're gone by unplugging any electronics not associated with home security, lighting or your refrigerator. There's no need to leave your printer or bedroom TV plugged in when no one's around to use it.

Is my main water shut-off valve by my water heater?

The main valve is always placed along the perimeter of the foundation, so it'll be near the wall, not the center of the household. It's also usually installed at or near ground level, so you can skip checking the upstairs and attic. In most cases, the valve is connected to a copper pipe beside the water heater.

Can I leave heating on and turn water off?

If you are leaving the house empty for more than a few days, it should be safe to leave your heating on, however, even if you do turn off the water. It can be useful to have your central heating ticking over on a low temperature while you're not there with the help of a smart thermostat.

Why is water brown after water shut off?

Discolored water and trapped air are common occurrences after a water main break or other water system maintenance work. Discolored water is caused by sediment and mineral deposits in the pipes that can be stirred up when the water is turned off and then back on following work on WSSC Water's water system.

Why won't my main water shut-off valve turn off water?

Fixing a Stuck Water Shut Off Valve

We recommend putting a cloth over the handle and using your hand to slowly rock the stuck valve back and forth to loosen it. Keep doing this until the valve can be completely opened and closed. If the valve won't turn after trying this, grab a pair of Channellock pliers.

Should you open faucets before turning water back on?

One should normally open all faucets then turn on the main. This will allow any trapped air to be purged from the system and eliminate any 'banging'.

Why is water still running when turned off?

There may be a hidden plumbing leak in the walls of your home, or maybe your toilet is running when it's not in use. These “hidden” leaks can cause your home to be using water even when your main water valve is turned off.

Will shutting off water keep pipes from freezing?

To prevent pipes from freezing, the best thing to do is turn your water off if you can locate your valve. If not, leaving your faucets on with a slight trickle - not a drip - to prevent broken pipes, he says.

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