In the United States, vacations often start in June, making summer one of the busiest travel seasons. Before leaving home, homeowners should perform a plumbing inspection to prevent leaks, water damage, and costly repairs while away. In this guide, we’ll cover nine essential plumbing checks to complete before your vacation. For additional seasonal maintenance advice, check out our Summer Plumbing Tips for Homeowners in the United States.
Step 1: Locate and Test Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
Before leaving for vacation, locate your home’s main water shutoff valve and make sure you know exactly where it is. It is commonly found in the basement near the main water supply line, inside a utility closet, or in an outdoor meter box. Test the valve to confirm it fully closes and stops water flow throughout the house. Older gate valves can seize after years of inactivity, so if you notice corrosion, green oxidation, or difficulty turning the valve, consider replacing it with a modern quarter-turn ball valve before your trip. If you’re not sure which valve type you’re looking at, our guide to how home shutoff valves work explains the difference between old gate valves and modern ball valves and where each one tends to hide in your house. This simple upgrade can help prevent major water damage while you’re away.
Step 2- Inspect Toilets, Faucets, and Water Supply Lines
Check every bathroom, kitchen, and utility area to inspect plumbing fixtures and water supply lines. Check for moisture, corrosion, water stains, bulging hoses, or signs of leaks under sinks and around toilets. Make sure fixture shutoff valves still operate properly and listen for continuously running toilets that may indicate a worn flapper valve. Identifying and fixing small plumbing issues before vacation can prevent costly leaks from developing while the home is unoccupied.
Step 3- Examine Washing Machine Hoses
Washing machine supply hoses are one of the most common sources of residential water damage. Inspect both hot and cold water hoses for cracks, bulges, kinks, rust, or signs of wear, especially near the metal fittings. If the hoses are more than five years old or show any deterioration, replace them with braided stainless-steel hoses for improved durability. Before leaving, shut off the washing machine supply valves to eliminate unnecessary water pressure on the hoses during your absence.
Step 4- Put Your Water Heater in Vacation Mode
Reducing water heater activity while you’re away can lower energy costs and minimize unnecessary wear on the system. If your water heater has a vacation setting, activate it before leaving. This setting maintains a safe temperature while significantly reducing energy consumption. Homeowners with tankless water heaters can typically turn off the gas or electrical supply since these systems only operate when hot water is needed. For longer trips, some electric water heaters can also be switched off at the breaker.
Step 5- Disconnect and Drain Garden Hoses
Outdoor garden hoses should be disconnected from exterior faucets before leaving for an extended period. Hoses left under pressure can contribute to slow leaks, moisture buildup, and unnecessary strain on outdoor plumbing components. Disconnecting and draining hoses also helps prevent standing water accumulation and protects outdoor faucets from potential damage caused by unexpected temperature fluctuations.
Step 6- Test Your Sump Pump System
If your home has a basement or crawl space, testing the sump pump before vacation is essential. Pour water into the sump pit to verify that the float switch activates the pump and that water is discharged safely away from the foundation. If your system includes a battery backup, check that the battery is fully charged and functioning properly. A reliable sump pump can help protect your home from flooding during heavy rainstorms while you’re away.
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Step 7: Refill Drain Traps in Unused Fixtures
Floor drains, guest bathrooms, utility sinks, and other infrequently used fixtures rely on water-filled P-traps to block sewer gases from entering the home. Before leaving, pour water into these drains to replenish the trap seal and reduce the risk of unpleasant odors developing during your absence. In warmer climates, adding a small amount of mineral oil can slow evaporation and help maintain the water barrier for a longer period.
Step 8- Verify Leak Detection Devices Are Working
Smart leak detectors and automatic water shutoff systems provide an extra layer of protection for homeowners who travel frequently. Before your trip, confirm that all leak sensors, flow monitors, and smart shutoff devices are connected to your Wi-Fi network and sending notifications correctly. Testing these systems ensures you’ll receive immediate alerts if a plumbing issue develops while you’re away, allowing you to respond quickly and potentially avoid major water damage.
Step 9- Complete a Final Plumbing Check Before Departure
Just before leaving, perform a final plumbing inspection to ensure everything is secure. Verify normal water pressure, close the main water shutoff valve, and relieve pressure in the plumbing system by briefly opening faucets at both high and low points in the home. Confirm that the water heater is set to vacation mode, the sump pump remains powered, and anyone checking on the property knows the location of the main shutoff valve. This final review helps reduce the risk of plumbing emergencies during your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I shut off the water before vacation?
Yes, if you’re leaving for more than 3 days. Shut off the main water supply at the valve where the water line enters your house. Exceptions: if you have automatic irrigation or critical appliances that need water supply only those fixtures separately.
Should I drain the pipes if I shut off the water?
For a typical summer vacation in non-freezing weather, no. Just shutting off the main is enough. You only need to fully drain the system if you’re closing up a seasonal home for winter where pipes could freeze.
Should I turn off the water heater before vacation?
Set it to “vacation” or “VAC” mode if available — this lowers temperature to a maintenance level (around 50-60°F) and cuts energy use. For trips longer than 2 weeks, you can turn the gas off entirely or trip the breaker. Tankless heaters can be turned off.
Can pipes freeze in summer?
In most regions, no. But unseasonable cold snaps in certain elevations or during late spring/early fall trips can cause issues. The bigger summer concern is heat-related: pressure surges, leaky supply lines, and rotting rubber hoses.
What should I do about my refrigerator water and ice maker during vacation?
For trips of 1-2 weeks, leaving the fridge water supply on is fine. For longer trips, shut off the dedicated supply valve behind or under the fridge. Most fridges have a small ¼-turn valve specifically for this. Throw away ice in the bin before leaving — it’ll absorb fridge odors otherwise.
How long can I leave a P-trap dry before it lets sewer gas in?
In dry climates, as little as 1 week. In humid summer conditions, 2-3 weeks. Pouring a cup of water into infrequently-used drains before leaving keeps the seal intact. A tablespoon of mineral oil floated on top slows evaporation significantly.
Do I need a smart water shutoff for vacation trips?
Not strictly necessary, but for frequent travelers it’s one of the best investments available. A whole-house smart shutoff costs $400-700 installed and pays for itself the first time it prevents a burst-pipe flood — typical insurance claims for water damage run $10,000+.
