A leak that runs for an hour is a mess. A leak that runs for a week while you are on vacation can ruin floors, walls and ceilings from top to bottom. The longer the water flows, the more it spreads, and the less can be saved.
This checklist cuts the risk before you go and helps you plan for a quick response if something happens anyway.
Shut off the main water
The single best step for a long trip is closing the main valve. With no water pressure, a failed hose or fitting has nothing to push through. After closing it, open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the pipes.
If you have a sprinkler or irrigation system, check whether it needs its own supply or can be turned off. Learn where your valve is before you travel, and see our guide to the water shutoff if you are unsure.
Check the appliances
- Inspect washing machine hoses and replace rubber ones with braided steel
- Look behind the dishwasher and under the sink for drips
- Check the refrigerator ice maker line for kinks and wetness
- Make sure no appliance is mid-cycle when you leave
- Empty and unplug the dehumidifier or give it a drain line
Water heater and HVAC
A water heater tank that is old or rusting is a common source of large leaks. Look at the base for moisture or rust and note the age on the tag. If the heater is more than ten years old, consider an inspection or replacement before long trips.
Check the HVAC condensate line and the drain pan under the air handler. A clogged line can overflow while you are gone, and our AC leak water damage page explains why.
Winter precautions
In cold weather, frozen pipes burst when they thaw. Keep the thermostat at a safe temperature, usually 55 degrees or higher, and open cabinet doors on exterior walls. Let faucets drip during extreme cold if your plumber recommends it.
Disconnect outdoor hoses and shut off exterior spigots. For a longer trip, consider draining the system. See our frozen pipe water damage page for what happens when a line splits.
Consider technology
Water sensors cost little and send an alert to your phone when they detect moisture. Place them under sinks, beside water heaters, behind toilets and near the washing machine. Some systems shut off the main automatically.
These devices do not prevent leaks, but they shorten them. A leak that is caught in an hour is a very different loss than one caught in a week.
Ask someone to check in
Have a neighbor, friend or property manager visit once every few days. Give them the location of the main valve and your phone number. Ask them to look at ceilings and floors, not just the front door.
If you rent, tell your landlord when you will be away. If you own a condo, tell the association, since a leak in your unit affects those below.
A pre-trip checklist you can repeat
Keep the same short list on your phone and run through it each time. Close the main valve, drain a low faucet, check the water heater, confirm the sensor batteries, set the thermostat and hand a key to a neighbor.
Repeating the same steps removes the guesswork. It takes about ten minutes, and the habit can save a home from weeks of damage.
If you travel often, consider asking a plumber to install an automatic shutoff valve tied to leak sensors.
If you come home to water
Do not walk into standing water until the power is off or the area is safe. Close the main valve, take photos and call your insurer. Then call for extraction and drying, because water that sat for days is often Category 2 or worse.
Tell the dispatcher how long you were away so the crew arrives with the right plan. Fast action still matters, even when the water has been there for a long time.
Travel season in Owings Mills
Many Owings Mills residents commute through the Owings Mills Metro Subway station and travel from Baltimore airports, so trips often start and end at odd hours. A quick pre-trip check works best when it is a routine, the same steps every time.
Condo and apartment buildings near Metro Centre and Foundry Row often have shared risers, so a leak upstairs can affect your unit while you are away. Leave your contact details with the management office so they can reach you.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is the most effective step. Close the main valve, drain the lines by opening a low faucet and turn off the water heater if recommended.
They are inexpensive and alert you quickly. Place them near the water heater, under sinks and by the washing machine, and make sure the alert reaches a phone.
Where the main valve is, how to reach you and to look at ceilings and floors for stains or standing water.
Sudden losses are generally covered, but some policies limit coverage for homes unoccupied for a long period. Ask your agent before long trips.
Water still spreading?
Questions about away from home at your own address? The dispatcher can talk it through.