Restoration planning

Leaving Town This Summer? Prevent Water Damage in an Empty Home

There's a particular kind of homecoming nobody wants: walking back in after a trip to find water has been running - or pooling - for days.

Overview

There's a particular kind of homecoming nobody wants: walking back in after a trip to find water has been running - or pooling - for days. An empty home is uniquely vulnerable, because a leak that would be caught in minutes when you're home has nobody to notice it. A few minutes of prep before you leave can prevent thousands of dollars in damage. (General prevention guidance.)

Why empty homes are high-risk

When you're home, you hear the drip, see the puddle, smell the problem. When you're gone, a failed water heater, a burst supply line, or a slow leak has uninterrupted hours or days to soak floors, walls, and ceilings - and to start mold. The damage compounds the entire time you're away.

The pre-vacation checklist

The single best step:

If you'd rather not shut off the main:

Other smart steps:

  • Shut off your water at the main valve before a longer trip. No water flowing means no flood, no matter what fails. (Note: if you have an automatic sprinkler/irrigation or certain home systems, plan around them.)
  • Turn off supply valves to the washing machine, dishwasher, and ice maker - the most common failure points.
  • Inspect washer hoses, under-sink connections, and the water heater for any early signs of trouble before you go.
  • Test your sump pump if you have one, and make sure it (and any backup) works.
  • Set the thermostat sensibly so pipes and systems aren't stressed.
  • Have someone check the home periodically - a neighbor, friend, or house-sitter who can spot (and report) a problem early.
  • Consider smart leak detectors that alert your phone, or an automatic water shut-off device, for ongoing protection.
  • Clear gutters and check the roof before summer storms or if you'll be gone into the rainy season.

Coming home to a problem?

If you return to water damage, act immediately - the faster extraction and drying begin, the more is salvageable, even after it's sat. We answer 24/7: (408) 639-5349.

The takeaway

The most reliable vacation insurance for your home is the main shut-off valve. Turn the water off, do a two-minute appliance check, and travel with peace of mind.