Water Treatment for Vacation Homes and Seasonal Properties
Special considerations for homes that sit unused for weeks or months.
Stagnant water risks
Water sitting in pipes for weeks develops bacteria (including Legionella in hot water systems), lead leaching increases over time, and sediment settles. Before using water in a vacation home, flush all cold taps for 5 minutes. Run the hot water heater until it reaches full temperature. Replace any point-of-use filters that sat idle.
Winter concerns
Frozen pipes can crack water treatment equipment. If winterizing, bypass and drain your softener or filter. Most softeners have a bypass valve for this purpose. Remove and store RO membranes (freezing destroys them).
Minimal maintenance systems
For vacation homes, salt-free conditioners require zero maintenance during absence (no salt to add, no regeneration cycles). Point-of-use filters at the kitchen sink handle drinking water. Consider a UV system for bacterial protection if on well water.