Water Quality Tips for Vacant Buildings

Returning to a vacant home or business? Follow these steps to improve your water quality.

Prior to reoccupying a commercial building or home that has been vacant for a week or longer, such as after a vacation, flush stagnant water from pipes in the structure to replenish plumbing with fresh, disinfected water from the distribution system.

• If your water was turned off at the main valve, turn it back on slowly to prevent pressure surges.
• Flush cold water through all plumbing fixtures (faucets, shower heads, etc.) for at least 15 minutes, starting with the fixtures located closest to where water enters the building from the service line.
• Flush hot water through all plumbing fixtures until the water runs cold. Alternately, drain hot water tanks directly.
• Clean plumbing fixtures according to manufacturers’ directions.
• Replace all filters in appliances that use water, including refrigerators, ice makers and dishwashers.
• Inspect mechanical equipment that uses water, such as cooling towers, boilers, pumps and backflow preventers to ensure they are functioning properly.

For more detailed guidance, please read the Environmental Protection Agency's Maintaining or Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with Low or No Use.