A burst pipe doesn't care that you're on vacation. In fact, that's exactly when the worst plumbing damage happens — nobody's home to notice the leak, shut off the water, or call for help. A small drip that would be a nuisance on a normal Tuesday can become tens of thousands in water damage after a week away. Before you lock up and leave, run through this checklist.
Shut Off the Main Water Valve
This is the single most important thing you can do. Find your main shut-off valve (usually where the water line enters the house, often in the basement near the front wall) and turn it off before you leave. With no water pressure in the lines, a leak can't keep feeding itself while you're gone.
If you're not sure where your shut-off is, find it before your trip — not during an emergency. Every adult in the house should know where it is.
Drain the Lines (for Longer Trips)
If you'll be gone more than a week, especially in winter, open a faucet on the lowest level after shutting off the main. This drains residual water from the lines and takes pressure off the system. You don't need to drain the water heater, just the supply lines.
Set the Thermostat — Don't Turn It Off
In winter, keep the heat at 13 to 15 degrees Celsius minimum. Turning the heat off entirely to save money is a gamble that can cost you a burst pipe and a flooded basement. The few dollars you save aren't worth the risk.
In summer, you can set it higher, but don't shut the system off completely — humidity buildup can cause its own problems.
Water Heater: Turn It Down, Not Off
Set your water heater to vacation mode or its lowest setting. There's no reason to keep a full tank at full temperature when nobody's using hot water. Don't shut it off entirely if it's gas — relighting a pilot is a hassle you don't need after a long trip.
Check These Before You Walk Out
- Washing machine hoses. These are one of the most common sources of catastrophic home flooding. If yours are old rubber hoses, consider replacing them with braided stainless steel lines — and make sure the valves are off before you leave.
- Toilets. A running toilet can waste hundreds of litres a day. Make sure none of yours are running before you go.
- Sump pump. If you have one, make sure it's working and the discharge line is clear. A spring trip during melt season with a dead sump pump is a flooded basement waiting to happen.
- Outdoor faucets. Make sure hose bibs are shut off from the inside valve, especially in colder months.
- Ice maker and dishwasher supply lines. Small lines, big damage potential. If your fridge has a water line, make sure the connections are solid.
Ask Someone to Check In
Even with everything shut off, having a neighbour, friend, or family member stop by every few days is cheap insurance. Give them your plumber's number and show them where the main shut-off is. Many home insurance policies actually require regular check-ins during extended absences — check your policy, because a denied claim over a technicality is the last thing you want on top of water damage.
When You Get Home
Turn the main valve back on slowly. Walk through the house and check under every sink, around every toilet, and in the basement for signs of leaks. Run each faucet for a minute — air in the lines is normal after a shutdown, and it clears quickly.
Going away should be relaxing, not something you spend the whole trip worrying about. Call Concepts Plumbing at (705) 715-1513 for a free estimate on a pre-trip plumbing check in Barrie and Simcoe County. We'll make sure everything's solid before you leave, so you can actually enjoy the time away.
