GOOD Home is a weekly column published in partnership with PuroClean of Wilton | Ridgefield and Valerio Emergency Plumbing about home safety, maintenance, weather preparedness, damage prevention and emergency response, with the goal of saving homeowners from the hassle and headaches of severe property damage. Located in South Wilton, PuroClean provides 24/7 water damage remediation, fire and smoke restoration, and mold and biohazard removal services to the Fairfield County community and across southwest CT and Northeastern Westchester County. Norwalk-based Valerio Emergency Plumbing specializes in rapid-response plumbing solutions designed to stop damage at its source and protect homes and commercial properties.
You’re back from vacation. The suitcases are in the hallway. School supply lists are starting. Vacation is officially over.
But before you dive back into routine, take 15 minutes to run through this simple plumbing checklist.
After a week or more away, your home’s plumbing needs a proper “welcome back,” especially if you shut off the main water supply before you left.
Whether your home is near Wilton Center or tucked away near Weir Farm National Historical Park, these checks will protect your property.
Check 1: Turn the Main Water Supply Back On the Right Way
Why it matters: A sudden surge of water pressure can damage pipes and fixtures.
How to do it:
- Locate your main shutoff valve (basement, near the water meter, or where the water line enters your home)
- Open the valve slowly — turn it counterclockwise until it’s fully open
- Next: Open faucets starting from the top floor to bleed air out of the lines
- Work your way down to the lowest level
- Cloudy or discolored water at first is normal — run each faucet for 2–3 minutes until it runs clear
Quick leak check: The EPA’s WaterSense program recommends checking your water meter during a period when no water is being used. Note the reading, wait 15 minutes, and check again. If it moved, something is leaking.
Check 2: Take Your Water Heater Off “Vacation” Mode
Why it matters: If you set your water heater to “Vacation” or “Pilot” mode while away, it needs to be reset properly.
How to do it (gas water heater):
- Turn the dial back to your normal temperature setting
- Confirm the pilot light is lit
- Wait 1–2 hours for hot water to return
How to do it (electric water heater):
- Turn the circuit breaker back on at your electrical panel
- Wait 1–2 hours for the water to heat
- Don’t crank the thermostat to speed things up, it can damage the heating elements
Check 3: Test Your Sump Pump and Backup Battery
Why it matters: Summer storms may have worked your sump pump hard while you were gone. Wilton’s clay-rich soil and high groundwater tables, especially near the Norwalk River, make a working pump essential.
How to do it:
- Remove the lid and check the pit for debris
- Pour a 5-gallon bucket of water into the sump pit
- Watch the pump activate and drain the water
- Listen for unusual grinding or continuous running
Don’t forget to check the backup battery: If your battery is more than three years old, test it, and replace it if weak.
Check 4: Reopen Supply Lines Slowly
Why it matters: The small braided steel or plastic lines under sinks and behind toilets can weaken over time.
How to do it:
- Slowly reopen each angle stop valve
- Watch each connection for a full minute before moving to the next
- Look for bulging, rust, moisture or drips
Even better: If any supply line looks old or questionable, replace it (under $15 at any hardware store).
Check 5: Check Your Gutters and Downspouts
Why it matters: Summer storms may have deposited leaves and debris in your gutters and fall leaf drop is just around the corner.
How to do it:
- Do a visual check of your gutters from the ground
- Remove any debris you can safely reach
- Confirm downspouts are still attached and extending at least 5 feet from the foundation
Wilton’s tree-lined neighborhoods, especially near Ambler Farm, mean more leaves in gutters, a quick check now gives you a head start on fall maintenance.
Check 6: Confirm Your Water Alarms Are Working
Why it matters: You placed water alarms before you left. Now confirm they’re still in place and working.
How to do it:
- Test the batteries
- Confirm they’re still positioned near the water heater, under the kitchen sink, behind the washing machine, and near the sump pit
- Keep them deployed year-round
Check 7: Retrieve Your Key and Check Your Basement
Why it matters: Your neighbor may have noticed something while you were away.
How to do it:
- Retrieve your key from your trusted neighbor
- Thank them and ask if they noticed anything unusual
- Do your own walk-through: check for musty smells, water stains, or damp spots
If you live near the Wilton Historical Society or in one of Wilton’s historic districts, your outdoor plumbing may be older and more vulnerable, making a thorough inspection even more important.
Bonus Check: Don’t Forget the Outside Hose Bibs
How to do it:
- Reopen the indoor shutoff valve for each outdoor spigot
- Run each hose bib briefly
- Check both the bib and the indoor valve for drips
Note: This is a good time to think about fall prep, we’ll cover that in a future article.
Your Return-From-Vacation Plumbing Checklist
Copy this and check it off when you return:
- Main water supply: opened slowly, air bled from lines
- Water heater: taken off “Vacation” mode
- Sump pump: tested and backup battery checked
- Supply lines: reopened slowly and inspected
- Gutters: checked for debris and damage
- Water alarms: confirmed working
- Neighbor: key retrieved and asked about issues
- Outdoor hose bibs: ropened and checked for drips
Fifteen minutes now, and your house is officially back from vacation too.
Serving Wilton and surrounding communities: Norwalk, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Stamford, Greenwich and Darien.
Plumbing problems rarely stay small. In Fairfield County homes, early professional attention prevents major repairs, property damage, and unnecessary disruption, because water doesn’t wait, and neither should you.
At Valerio Emergency Plumbing, we know no one plans for plumbing issues. That’s why we are on call… all the time.
If you notice any warning signs in this article or simply want peace of mind before the next storm, we are ready to help with a property-protection mindset.
Our Main Office: 23 Pearl St, Norwalk, CT 06850
24/7Emergency Dispatch: 203.515.8455
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Why choose Valerio Emergency Plumbing?
- 60-minute response time
- 24/7 Active Dispatch
- Clear communication, honest pricing, no scare tactics
Visit our website or call 203.515.8455 to connect with your local, trusted Valerio Emergency Plumbing team.
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