Going on vacation is an exciting time, but it's important to prep your plumbing system before you leave. This can prevent a variety of problems, such as burst pipes, pest infestations, and water damage. In some cases, the preparations might start a few weeks in advance. However, this extra effort can be worthwhile if it means a decreased risk of plumbing issues and costly cleanup or repairs.

Shut Off the Main Water Valve

Shutting off the main water valve prevents water from running throughout the home, including sinks, toilets, and water-using appliances. It takes seconds to do but can prevent issues like burst pipes and appliance leaks while you're away. You'll also have peace of mind, making it one thing you certainly don't have to worry about during your vacation.

Shut Off Individual Valves

There are a few instances where shutting off the main water valve isn't an option, such as when a pet sitter or house sitter is stopping by or when you live in an apartment that shares the water system with other units in a rental home. In this case, you'll want to shut off individual water valves. They're typically behind or under anything that uses water in your home, including the sinks, dishwasher, and washing machine. Create a checklist and go through the items one by one on the day you leave, marking each one as you turn it off so you'll remember that it was completed.

Seal Drains

Bugs may be more likely to enter your house through your plumbing system when you haven't been using the water, such as when you go on vacation. To prevent this, pour water into each drain to ensure the P-trap is full, then add a small amount of mineral oil to slow evaporation. For extra protection, you can seal drains with plastic wrap and tape to help keep pests and odors out of your home.

Turn Off or Adjust Your Water Heater

If no one will be home, set your water heater to “vacation mode” or turn it off completely to save energy and prevent wear. Vacation mode keeps the unit running at a low temperature and avoids unnecessary reheating while you're away. Not sure what’s best for your model? Our plumbers can help you determine the safest setting.

Get a Professional Inspection

Getting a professional plumbing inspection is one of the best things you can do for your home before going on vacation. Schedule it approximately three weeks before you're set to leave. Our expert plumbers can assess your entire system and identify leaks and other possible issues that may cause problems while you're away. Some tasks we'll perform include inspecting your water heater for corrosion, testing the water pressure, checking out visible plumbing pipes, and looking over your outdoor faucets. If there are any specific tasks you would like us to do or components you want us to check during your appointment, please let our team member know when you call to schedule an appointment. This will allow us to plan our time accordingly. Set aside a few hours for the inspection, although it may take more or less time.

Schedule a Drain Cleaning

You can request that we perform a drain cleaning at the same time as the inspection appointment or schedule it for another time before you leave for vacation. It offers numerous benefits, including preventing odors from wafting up into your home and blasting away the built-up food material that lines the interior of your drains, which can attract pests.

Make Repairs Before Leaving

If we suggest making certain plumbing repairs, it's ideal to address them before leaving for vacation, especially if the problems have been ongoing. You don't want them causing challenges for you while you're away. This is particularly the case if you have to leave the water on. Consider making a follow-up appointment as soon as we inform you of the repairs. This gives our plumbers enough time to complete all the fixes before you leave for vacation.

Do a Self-Inspection the Day You Leave

Along with grabbing your keys and luggage, doing a last-minute plumbing self-inspection on the day you leave should be on your must-do list. This allows you to make sure everything water-related is off and that there are no problems that appeared at the last possible second (like leaks). Check everywhere there's plumbing, including toilets and under kitchen and bathroom sinks. You’ll also want to confirm that your toilet traps still have water—pouring a bit of mineral oil into each bowl can help slow evaporation. You'll be able to leave confidently and have peace of mind while you're away.