Holiday Mode: The Plumbing Checks I
Always Recommend Before Going Away
I’ve literally just got back from my own family holiday, and while it was great to switch off for a week, it didn’t take long after getting back to find my diary filling up with emergency call-outs.
Every summer it’s the same. Someone returns from a lovely holiday to find a damp patch on the ceiling. Someone else discovers a kitchen cupboard that’s swollen because a tiny leak under the sink has been dripping for two weeks. Or they walk into a bathroom that smells a bit “off” and can’t work out why.
The frustrating thing is that many of these problems could have been avoided with just a few minutes of preparation before leaving the house.
Most people are busy remembering passports, chargers and whether they’ve packed enough sun cream. Your plumbing is probably the last thing on your mind.
So, before you head off this summer, here are the checks I’d make if I were leaving my own home.
Yes, Turn The Water Off… But Don’t Assume That’s The Whole Job
The advice you’ll hear most often is to turn your mains water off before you go away. It’s good advice, especially if you’re going to be away for more than a few days. But here’s something many homeowners don’t realise.
Turning the mains off doesn’t magically make your whole plumbing system “safe” or remove all the water from your home. There’s still water inside your heating system, your appliances and your pipework, which is why I always recommend carrying out a few extra checks before you lock the front door.” Think of it as reducing the risk rather than eliminating it altogether.
When I prepare my own house before going away, turning the water off is just the starting point. I then spend another ten minutes checking for the small problems that could quietly become much bigger ones while nobody’s home.
These are the further quick checks I’d recommend to any homeowner…
The Appliance I Worry About Most Isn’t
Actually The Boiler
People often assume the boiler is the biggest risk when they’re away. Honestly? One of the first things I’d think about is the washing machine.
The flexible braided hoses that connect washing machines (and often dishwashers too) work incredibly hard over the years. As they age, they can deteriorate without showing obvious signs from the outside. If your machine has isolation valves, I’d consider turning those off before you leave, particularly if you’re away for a couple of weeks.
It’s a simple job that most people never think about, but it can give you a bit of extra peace of mind.
Open The Cupboard Under Your Kitchen Sink
This might sound too simple to make a difference, but you’d be surprised how often I spot problems under kitchen sinks.
Before you leave, kneel down, open the cupboard and spend thirty seconds having a proper look.
I’d be checking for things like:
- ● White limescale around joints
- ● Green staining on copper pipework
- ● Damp patches
- ● Swollen chipboard
- ● Even the smallest drip
One drip every few seconds doesn’t seem like much when you’re making a cup of tea. Left for two weeks while you’re lying on a beach? That’s a different story. I’ve seen plenty of kitchen cupboards ruined by leaks that started off so small the homeowner hadn’t even noticed them.
Listen To Your Toilets
This is probably the check that’s easiest to overlook. Flush each toilet before you leave, then don’t walk away immediately. Stay and listen.
Can you hear water continuing to run? Is the cistern constantly topping itself up? Can you hear a faint trickling sound? A toilet that quietly wastes water every day can do so for the entire time you’re away. It’s also a good indication that something could do with attention before it becomes a bigger issue.
Have A quick Glance At Your Boiler Pressure
I’m not suggesting everyone starts adjusting their boiler before going on holiday. But I would recommend taking a quick look at the pressure gauge.
If you’ve noticed the pressure slowly dropping over the past few weeks or months, don’t ignore it simply because the heating is still working. A gradual pressure loss can sometimes point to a small issue that’s worth fixing before you leave the house empty for an extended period. If you feel comfortable doing this yourself, this guide on how to fix low boiler pressure will be useful to you. But we always recommend enlisting the help of a professional no matter how big or small the job is.
It’s one of those little clues that plumbers tend to notice because we know what can happen if it’s left.
Don’t Forget The Taps You Hardly Ever Use
Most families have at least one tap that gets forgotten. Maybe it’s the utility room. The downstairs cloakroom. The garage. Or the outside tap.
Run each one briefly before you go away.
Not because they’ll suddenly stop working while you’re on holiday, but because it’s a good opportunity to spot a slow drip or leak that you’ve never noticed before. Some of the smallest plumbing problems are hiding in the parts of the house we use the least.
Give Your Outside Tap Some Attention
Summer means hoses, paddling pools and pressure washers. Before you leave, disconnect any hosepipes and have a quick look around the outside tap.
Is it dripping? Has the connection worked loose? Does anything look damaged?
It’s only a minute’s job, but it’s another thing that’s easy to forget when you’re concentrating on getting the suitcases into the car.
Here’s One People Rarely Think About…
If you’ve got a guest bathroom, utility sink or another drain that hardly ever gets used, pour a little water into it before you leave.
Every sink, shower and floor drain has a water trap that’s designed to stop smells coming back up through the pipework. If a trap has already started to dry out, especially during hot weather, you might come home to an unpleasant smell and wonder where it’s coming from.
It’s not a major plumbing disaster, but it’s one of those little things that catches people out.
Think About What Would Happen If The Worst Did Happen
This isn’t about expecting disaster. It’s simply about making life easier if something unexpected does occur.
If you’ve got important paperwork, cardboard boxes, electronics or anything valuable stored underneath sinks, near your boiler or around pipework, move them somewhere else before you leave.
Water always seems to find the one thing you really didn’t want it to reach.
My 60-Second Walk Around Before
Locking The Front Door
Before I go away, I always do one final lap of the house.
- ● I check under the kitchen sink.
- ● I listen to the toilets.
- ● I glance at the boiler pressure.
- ● I make sure outside taps aren’t dripping.
- ● I check nothing’s been left connected that doesn’t need to be.
The whole thing takes about a minute, but it’s amazing how much reassurance it gives you before you head off.
My Pre-Holiday Plumbing Checklist
Before you lock the front door, I’d recommend taking a few minutes to:
Turn off the mains water if it's appropriate for your home.
Turn off washing machine and dishwasher isolation valves.
Check underneath sinks for any signs of leaks.
Listen for toilets that continue running after flushing.
Check your boiler pressure gauge.
Run taps you don't use very often.
Pour a little water into rarely used drains.
Disconnect hoses/pipes and check outside taps.
Move anything valuable away from pipework and plumbing.
Do one final walk around the house before you lock the front door.
Most of these jobs take less than ten minutes altogether, but they could save you coming home to an expensive surprise.
And if you notice something that doesn’t look quite right before you go, don’t ignore it because you’re short on time. It’s usually much easier (and cheaper) to sort out a small plumbing issue before your holiday than to deal with a much bigger one afterwards.
If you’re unsure whether turning the water off is the right option for your home (for example, if someone is popping in to water plants, feed pets or stay overnight while you’re away) I’d always recommend asking your plumber what makes most sense for your particular setup.
Have a fantastic holiday, Enjoy your break, and hopefully the only thing waiting for you when you get home is a pile of washing – on that note…this guide to preventing a clogged washing machine may come in useful!
Oliver Osmore has been at the helm of Happy Dog Plumbing since it became part of the Maintracts Services family, bringing with him decades of experience in plumbing, heating, and electrical services. As Managing Director of both companies, Oliver is dedicated to ensuring Happy Dog Plumbing continues its proud tradition of delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions to customers.
Oliver’s approachable nature and problem-solving expertise allow him to work closely with customers, offering tailored solutions to even the most complex challenges. He is passionate about upholding the high standards that Happy Dog Plumbing has become known for, ensuring every job is handled with professionalism and care.
Since its founding, Happy Dog Plumbing has been a trusted name in installation, maintenance, and repair services. Under Oliver’s leadership, the company thrives as part of a larger, customer-focused team, staying true to its roots while benefiting from the expanded resources of Maintracts Services.