Vacation Plumbing Checklist: 10 Tasks to Complete Before You Leave

Planning a summer vacation is exciting, but before you head out of Roswell, NM, it’s worth spending a few minutes preparing your home’s plumbing system. The last thing anyone wants is to return from a relaxing getaway to discover a water leak, burst pipe, or overflowing appliance. Fortunately, a simple plumbing checklist can help reduce the risk of unexpected problems while you’re away. Here are ten easy plumbing tasks to complete before you lock the front door.

1. Turn Off the Main Water Supply

If you’ll be gone for several days or longer, consider shutting off your home’s main water supply. This simple step can prevent a small leak from becoming a major flood while no one is home. If you have an irrigation system, be sure you understand which valves control your indoor plumbing versus your outdoor watering system.

2. Check for Leaks

Take a quick walk through your home and inspect faucets, toilets, under-sink plumbing, and exposed pipes. Even a slow drip can waste water or worsen while you’re away. If you notice damp cabinets, water stains, or puddles, it’s a good idea to schedule repairs before your trip.

3. Inspect Your Water Heater

Look around your water heater for signs of corrosion, moisture, or leaking connections. If everything looks good, consider placing the unit in “Vacation Mode” if your model offers that setting. This saves energy while still protecting the system.

4. Clear Your Drains

Run water through sinks, tubs, and showers to ensure everything drains properly. Slow drains may indicate a developing clog that could worsen while you’re gone. Avoid using harsh chemical drain cleaners, which may damage your plumbing over time.

5. Test Toilets for Hidden Problems

Flush each toilet and make sure it refills properly without continuing to run. A constantly running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water during a week-long vacation.

6. Disconnect Washing Machine Hoses, If It’s Practical

If you’ll be away for an extended period, shutting off the washing machine supply valves provides extra protection against hose failures. Washing machine hoses are a common source of household water damage.

7. Empty the Garbage Disposal

Run cold water while operating the garbage disposal to clear out any remaining food debris. This helps prevent unpleasant odors from developing while the house sits empty.

8. Check Outdoor Plumbing

Inspect hose bibs, outdoor faucets, garden hoses, and irrigation equipment for leaks or damage. Remove hoses from outdoor faucets if possible to reduce unnecessary stress on the fixtures.

9. Ask Someone to Check Your Home

If a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor is watching your house, ask them to keep an eye out for signs of plumbing problems such as water around appliances, unusual sounds, or dripping faucets. Early detection can prevent a minor issue from becoming a costly repair.

10. Schedule Plumbing Repairs Before You Leave

If you’ve been putting off fixing a leaking faucet, slow drain, running toilet, or aging water heater, don’t wait until after your vacation. Taking care of plumbing issues before you leave gives you greater peace of mind and reduces the risk of coming home to an unpleasant surprise.

Schedule an appointment with Fulkerson Plumbing & Air Conditioning for comprehensive plumbing support.