A relaxing vacation should be about enjoying your time away, not worrying what might be happening at home.
When you leave town for the August long weekend or spend a week at the lake, taking time to prepare goes a long way toward protecting your home from emergency plumbing problems.
Leaks usually start small, with a drip under a sink or old water lines behind a washing machine. When you’re home, these issues are often obvious. When nobody is there, a small leak can turn into costly damage.
Here’s a practical pre-vacation plumbing checklist to help you leave with peace of mind.
Your Pre-Vacation Plumbing Checklist
Before you lock the doors and head out of town, take a few minutes to walk through your home.
1. Check Under Sinks for Slow Leaks
Open the cabinet beneath every sink in your kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room.
Look for:
- Damp spots
- Water stains
- Small puddles
- Drips around shut off valves or drain connections
For older homes, pay particular attention to where supply lines and water valves may have been in service for many years.
2. Test Your Toilets
Flush toilets before you leave for an extended period of time. Make sure the toilets stop running once the tank has refilled.
A toilet that keeps running may not seem urgent, but over time, it wastes a surprising amount of water. It’s also one of the most common sources of unnecessary water use while homeowners are away.
3. Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Valve is Located
Every homeowner should know where the main water shut off valve is located.
Some homes also have individual shut off valves beneath sinks, behind toilets, and near appliances. Knowing where these shut off valves are can be helpful if a smaller leak develops before you leave.
Make sure everyone in the household knows where the main shut off valve is and how to shut off the main water supply, if necessary.
4. Consider Shutting Off the Main Water Supply
For many homeowners, one of the simplest ways to reduce risk during a vacation is to completely shut off the main water supply.
Once you shut off the main water valve, there is no continuous water flowing to your plumbing system. If a pipe, supply line, or appliance connection fails, shutting off the main can reduce the amount of water that escapes.
If you’re unsure whether it’s appropriate to shut off the main water supply for your home, ask a licensed plumber before your next trip.
5. Don’t Start Appliances Right Before Leaving
Avoid running your dishwasher or washing machine as you’re walking out the door. Finish those loads earlier to confirm everything is working properly and there are no leaks around hoses, supply lines, drains, or anywhere else.
6. Ask Someone to Check the Property
Gone for more than a couple of days? Arrange for a trusted neighbour, friend, family member, or house sitter to regularly check your property.
They don’t need to perform a detailed inspection. A quick walkthrough can help identify obvious problems like:
- Water on the floor
- Dripping faucets
- Water around the water heater
- Damp ceilings or walls
- A sump pump continuously running
PRO TIP: If your home has an automatic sprinkler system, your contact should also make sure it’s operating normally and that water isn’t pooling where it shouldn’t be.
Extra Things Worth Checking
Every home is different, but these additional items are worth adding to your pre-vacation plumbing checklist.
- Make sure your water heater is operating. Use a vacation mode if your model has one (this can reduce energy use and your energy bill.)
- Check your sump pump by testing it before you leave, especially if rain is in the forecast. A sump pump that isn’t working properly can create problems in the basement.
- If your home has a water meter that’s easy to access, check it before leaving. If the meter continues moving even when no water should be in use, it may indicate a hidden leak.
- Walk around the exterior of your property and look for obvious signs of leaking water or unusually wet areas.
- If you’re travelling in cooler months, keep your thermostat set high enough to help protect pipes from frozen pipe—around 13°C—especially for pipes that run along exterior walls.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong While You’re Away
Getting a phone call about a leak while you’re on vacation is stressful, but acting quickly can limit water damage. If a neighbour or house sitter can safely access your home, ask them to shut off the water main valve to reduce further damage.
Next, call a licensed plumber immediately, even if you’re still several hours away. There’s no advantage to waiting until you get back into town.
If your trusted contact is already at the property, they can also let the technician inside and keep you updated while you continue your trip.
Enjoy Your Time Away
A few minutes of preparation before you leave can make a big difference. Check under sinks, test toilets, know where your main shutoff is, confirm that your water heater and sump pump are ready, and ask someone to check your property to help reduce the risk of an unexpected plumbing emergency.
If you’re dealing with a leak or get that call while you’re away, call Apollo Plumbing. Our licensed and insured team serves Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc, Spruce Grove, and Stony Plain. We answer our 24/7 emergency line at (780) 200-6870 with a real person any time of day or night, and we never charge overtime fees.
Noticed a slow drain before your vacation? Don’t ignore it. Slow drains are one of the most common sources of larger plumbing issues over time. Learn about Apollo Plumbing’s professional drain cleaning services before your next trip.
