A plumbing problem while you're on vacation isn't just a headache — it's a flooded bathroom, a ruined floor, and an insurance claim waiting for you when you get home. The good news: almost every vacation-related plumbing disaster is preventable. This checklist takes about ten minutes to run through before you leave.
Why Vacation Is High Risk for Plumbing Problems
Most plumbing failures don't happen because of one catastrophic event. They happen because a small problem — a worn supply line, a slow drip, a valve left open — goes unnoticed for days. When you're home, you catch it early. When you're in Hawaii for two weeks, that drip becomes a flood.
Supply lines under sinks and behind toilets are the most common culprit. They're made of braided stainless or rubber and have a finite lifespan — typically 5–10 years. When one fails, it fails completely, and a 3/8" supply line can dump hundreds of gallons per hour into your home. This is entirely preventable with a quick inspection before you go.
Your Pre-Vacation Plumbing Checklist
Shut Off the Main Water Supply High Priority
For any trip longer than 4–5 days, this is the single most effective thing you can do. Locate your main shutoff valve — typically near the water meter, in the garage, or where the main line enters the house — and turn it off. This eliminates the possibility of a burst pipe, supply line failure, or running toilet causing water damage while you're away. When you return, turn it back on slowly and check under every sink for drips.
Set Your Water Heater to Vacation Mode Easy Win
Tank water heaters have a "vacation" or "low" setting on the thermostat dial — usually marked with a suitcase icon or "VAC." Set it before you leave. The tank stays warm enough to prevent any issues but isn't burning energy heating water you're not using. For tankless water heaters, no adjustment is needed — they only heat on demand. This small step typically saves $15–$30 on your energy bill for a two-week trip.
Inspect Under Every Sink High Priority
Open the cabinet under each sink in the house and look at the supply lines connecting the shutoff valve to the faucet. If they're braided stainless, look for rust staining, corrosion at the fittings, or any bulging of the line itself. If they're rubber or plastic and more than 8 years old, consider having them replaced before a long trip — they're inexpensive and a burst one is anything but. Also check the drain trap and P-trap connections for any signs of dripping or mineral staining.
Check Every Toilet for Running Medium Priority
A running toilet is easy to miss — especially if you've tuned it out over weeks. Lift the lid off the tank and confirm the flapper is seating properly. Drop food coloring in the tank and wait two minutes — if color appears in the bowl without flushing, the flapper is leaking. A running toilet can waste 200 gallons per day, which adds up to a very unwelcome water bill two weeks later. Flapper replacement costs about $10 and takes five minutes.
Set Your Irrigation to a Reduced Schedule Medium Priority
Don't leave your irrigation running on its full summer schedule while you're away. Reduce zone run times by 30–40%, or set the controller to "pause" for the duration of your trip if your system supports it. If you have a smart controller (Rachio, RainBird, Hunter), enable the rain skip feature and check the schedule from your phone before takeoff. A broken head or cracked valve running undetected for two weeks will show up on your water bill — and in your yard.
Leave a Trusted Contact with the Plumber's Number Easy Win
Ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to walk through your home every few days. Give them this checklist: check under kitchen and bathroom sinks for moisture, listen for a running toilet, and look for any water staining on ceilings. Leave them the number for West Coast Plumbing — 707-750-9900 — so if something looks wrong, they can call us immediately rather than waiting until you get back.
What to Do If You Come Home to a Problem
If you return to signs of water damage — wet floors, water staining, a musty smell, or a meter that's still moving with everything off — here's the order of operations:
- Turn off the main water supply if you haven't already
- Document everything with photos before touching or cleaning anything — your insurance adjuster will need it
- Call West Coast Plumbing at 707-750-9900 — we'll locate the source and stop active leaking first
- Call your homeowner's insurance to report the claim
- Open windows and use fans to begin drying — don't wait for the insurance company before starting
- Do not use electrical outlets or appliances in affected areas until cleared
Before You Leave — Quick Reference
Shut off: Main water supply (trips > 4 days), outdoor hose bibs if not on irrigation
Adjust: Water heater to vacation mode, irrigation to reduced or pause schedule
Check: Under-sink supply lines, toilet flappers, water heater base for moisture
Leave behind: A trusted contact with West Coast Plumbing's number — 707-750-9900
When to Call Us Before You Leave
A pre-vacation plumbing inspection is a small investment against a large risk. Call West Coast Plumbing if:
- Your under-sink supply lines are original and haven't been replaced in 8+ years
- You've noticed a slow drip or moisture under any sink
- A toilet has been running intermittently and you've been putting off fixing it
- Your water heater is over 10 years old and hasn't been serviced recently
- You're not sure where your main shutoff valve is located
- You want someone to run through the checklist with you before a long trip
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Sonoma County homeowners heading out for summer.