Who this guide is for
- Homeowners leaving for an extended trip
- Owners of a second or seasonal home closing it up
- Anyone wanting to reduce the risk of returning to a problem
- People arranging someone to check on an empty home
Reduce the water risk
Water is the problem most likely to do serious damage in an empty home, because a leak has nothing to stop it. Knowing where your shutoffs are and considering shutting off the supply for a longer absence is a central part of pre-departure planning.
Decisions about shutting off water can interact with heating and other systems, so think them through, and treat anything uncertain as a question for a plumber.
- Know where the main and fixture shutoffs are
- Consider shutting off the supply for a longer absence
- Be aware of how a shutoff interacts with heating and appliances
- Address any known drip or weeping fixture before leaving
Manage the indoor climate
An unoccupied home still needs its climate managed. Leaving heating or cooling at a sensible holding setting helps prevent freeze damage in cold weather and excess heat or humidity in warm weather, which can affect finishes and encourage condensation.
What is appropriate depends heavily on your climate and season, so plan the holding conditions deliberately.
Secure the home
An empty home benefits from looking lived-in and being properly closed up. Confirming doors and windows are secured, managing how the home appears from outside, and arranging mail or deliveries so they do not pile up all reduce risk.
Security setups vary widely; the planning point is to think through how the home is protected while empty.
Arrange monitoring and a check-in
The single best safeguard for a longer absence is having someone, or something, keeping an eye on the home. A trusted person who can check in, and any monitoring you rely on, means a problem can be caught early rather than discovered on return.
Make sure whoever checks in knows where the shutoffs are and who to call.
Prepare for the worst case
Even with good preparation, things can happen. Leaving your professional contacts accessible, making sure your check-in person knows the shutoff locations, and documenting the home's normal state before you go all help a small problem stay small.
Anything involving systems, electrical, plumbing, heating, is for a professional, including for whoever is watching the home.
Leaving-for-vacation planning checklist
- 1Locate the main and fixture water shutoffs
- 2Consider shutting off the water supply for a longer absence
- 3Address any known drip or weeping fixture before leaving
- 4Set heating or cooling to a sensible holding condition
- 5Confirm doors and windows are secured
- 6Manage how the home appears from outside
- 7Arrange mail and deliveries so nothing piles up
- 8Ask a trusted person to check in on the home
- 9Make sure your check-in person knows the shutoffs and contacts
- 10Leave professional contacts accessible for emergencies
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the water supply on for a long absence without considering a shutoff
- Ignoring a known drip before leaving the home empty
- Setting no holding climate, risking freeze, heat or humidity damage
- Letting mail and deliveries pile up and signal an empty home
- Arranging no one to check in during a longer absence
- Not telling the check-in person where the shutoffs are
When to involve a professional
- Route any plumbing, heating or electrical concern to the appropriate professional
- Ask a plumber if you are unsure how a water shutoff interacts with your systems
- Have any known leak or system issue resolved before an extended absence
- Make sure whoever monitors the home knows who to call for system problems
- Remember that requirements vary by location and project, so confirm locally before acting
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
Should I shut off the water before a long trip?
For a longer absence it is worth considering, because a leak in an empty home has nothing to stop it. Be aware a shutoff can interact with heating and appliances, and ask a plumber if you are unsure.
What climate setting should I leave?
A sensible holding setting that prevents freeze damage in cold weather and excess heat or humidity in warm weather. The right choice depends heavily on your climate and season, so plan it deliberately.
What is the best safeguard for an empty home?
Having someone keep an eye on it. A trusted check-in person, plus any monitoring you use, means a problem can be caught early. Make sure they know the shutoff locations and who to call.
How do I prepare for something going wrong?
Leave your professional contacts accessible, ensure your check-in person knows the shutoffs, and document the home's normal state before you go. That helps a small problem stay small while you are away.
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