Avoid Costly Water Damage: Why You Should Turn Off Your Water Before Traveling

Planning a vacation or heading out of town for extended business travel comes with plenty of details to manage — flights, packing, itineraries, and schedules. One critical step that often gets overlooked, however, is turning off your home’s water supply before you leave.

At Gibellino Construction, we’ve restored countless homes affected by severe water damage that could have been prevented with one simple precaution. Turning off your main water supply before extended travel is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your home from costly repairs and unnecessary stress.

Why Leaving Your Water On Is a Risk

Your home’s plumbing system remains under constant pressure as long as the water supply is active. While everything may appear perfectly fine when you leave, plumbing failures don’t schedule appointments. Pipes, valves, fittings, and supply lines can fail without warning — and if no one is home to notice, even a small leak can turn into catastrophic damage.

We frequently see major water losses caused by:

• Aging or compromised pipes

• Loose or deteriorating fittings

• Failed appliance supply lines

• Cracked valves or connections

  
  

When water continues to flow unchecked, damage can spread rapidly. In just a few days, what started as a minor leak can saturate floors, walls, insulation, and structural materials — leaving your home resembling a swimming pool rather than the safe place you left behind.

A Simple Step That Prevents Major Damage

The good news? This type of damage is often entirely preventable.

If your home is connected to a city or municipal water supply, simply turning your main water shutoff valve to the “off” position before leaving can eliminate the risk of pressurized leaks while you’re away. The process takes only a few minutes and provides peace of mind throughout your trip.

If your home is supplied by a private well, shutting off power to the well pump offers the same protection by stopping water flow at the source.

This single preventative step can mean the difference between returning home to peace of mind — or returning to extensive water damage, disruption, and costly restoration.

Why Prevention Matters

Water restoration is often time-sensitive and labor-intensive. Even when addressed quickly, water damage can require:

• Removal and replacement of drywall and flooring

• Mold prevention or remediation

• Structural drying and repairs

• Extended construction timelines

  
  

By turning off your water before leaving your home unoccupied, you dramatically reduce the risk of these issues and protect both your property and your investment.

Trusted Restoration When You Need It Most

For over four generations, Gibellino Construction has helped homeowners restore comfort, safety, and stability after unexpected damage. While we’re always here to respond when emergencies occur, we believe proactive education is just as important.

Taking simple preventative measures — like shutting off your water before extended travel — can save homeowners from avoidable stress, expense, and disruption.

If you ever experience water damage or want expert guidance on protecting your home, our experienced restoration team is ready to help.

Avoid costly repairs. Protect your home. And travel with confidence knowing you took the right steps before leaving.