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Sometimes homeowners don’t include water shut-off as part of a vacation prep list, but it should be part of every vacation prep. While the water system “should” be fine while you are away, “should” and “could” are two different things. Just because faucets are not being used while you’re gone doesn’t mean pipes won’t leak or burst. It can be disastrous if while on vacation even a small leak or other plumbing issues such as water backing up happens. Since no one is home to notice, plumbing issues can continue to pour water into your home for days or weeks, depending on the length of your vacation. So, shut off the water to your home before you leave!

How do I find my main water shut-off valve when I need to turn it off?

If its your first time shutting off the water to your home, you may not know where to locate the main water shut-off valve. If you experience a burst pipe or need to make repairs to a leak, shutting off the water to the house should be done immediately. The following tips will help you locate the main water shut-off valve:

• • It’s near the perimeter. Explore the inside perimeter of your home to locate it.
  • It’s about 3 feet below ground level. If located in the basement, its typically at eye level or lower. If on the main floor, explore by looking lower.
  • It’s on the shortest route. Locate the outdoor water meter and look for the nearest point of the home’s exterior. Water lines take the shortest path from the meter to the house, so the shut-off valve should be where the line and your house meet.
  • It’s in your inspection report. Have a home inspection report from when you purchased it? The report will have a notation of where the shut-off valve is located.
  • It’s behind a panel. Builders typically do not seal water shut-off valves behind drywall, but if your home was remodeled in a way that has hidden your valve, an access panel should be present to reach the valve. Look for any access panels in the walls.

• Bubbles: Most common cause is air bubbles in the water, which often occurs during cold weather. The combination of cold-weather pressure and temperature changes creates air bubbles in the water as it travels to the faucet. Its harmless and will in time dissipate. In fact, if you just let the water sit in an open glass for a few moments, the bubbles will naturally rise to the surface and then cloudiness is gone.
• Dirt: Small particles can get into your water supply. Tiny bits of sand and dirt get suspended in the water to make it cloudy. It’s generally harmless, although most likely you prefer not serving guests cloudy water. To eliminate cloudy water, you need to treat it with a sediment filter.
• Sulfur: If your water smells like rotten eggs that indicates hydrogen sulfide is present. Sulfur bacteria thrive in plumbing systems/wells because there is little oxygen and so the bacteria can thrive on rotting organic matter, producing hydrogen sulfide gas, which gets trapped in your water. Chemical reactions in your water heater also might be causing it, or bacteria may be present in your well. While sulfur is not typically a health threat, you should still have your water tested to be sure it is safe. For water heater issues, have it serviced by a professional. For water source issues, ensure water system offers proper ventilation for the gas and install a home and water filtration unit to eliminate sulfur bacteria.