Nobody wants to come home from vacation to a flooded kitchen or a water bill that looks like a phone number. Plumbing failures do not wait for a convenient time — and an empty house gives a slow leak days or weeks to become a disaster. The good news: about 20 minutes of prep before you leave dramatically cuts the risk. Here is the checklist we recommend to every Orange County homeowner heading out of town.
Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is
This is the single most important thing on the list. If a supply line bursts while you are gone, the difference between a puddle and a catastrophe is whether someone can shut off the water fast. Before you leave, make sure every adult in the household knows where the main shutoff valve is and how to turn it. If you are leaving the house empty, consider shutting the main off yourself — with two exceptions: homes with fire sprinkler systems, which must stay pressurized, and homes with pools or spas on autofill, which still need water coming in. When in doubt, ask a plumber which valves are safe to close.
Turn the Water Heater Down
There is no reason to keep 50 gallons of water at full temperature while nobody is home. Most water heaters have a "vacation" setting, or you can simply turn the thermostat down. For gas units, switching to pilot-only does the trick. This saves energy and reduces pressure stress on the tank while you are away. Just remember to give it time to heat back up when you return — do not expect a hot shower the minute you walk in the door.
Check the Usual Suspects for Leaks
Do a quick walkthrough before you leave: under every sink, around the base of each toilet, behind the washing machine, and around the water heater. Look for dampness, drips, or staining. A supply line that is already weeping will not fix itself while you are gone — it will get worse. Washing machine hoses deserve special attention: if yours are old rubber hoses, they are the most common source of catastrophic indoor flooding we see. Braided stainless steel hoses are a cheap upgrade worth doing before any long trip.
Empty the Ice Maker and Dishwasher Lines
If you are shutting off the main water, turn off the ice maker too — an ice maker trying to fill with no water pressure can burn out its inlet valve. Run and empty the dishwasher so you do not come home to stale water and odor. These are small steps, but they prevent the weird, expensive surprises.
Keep Your Drain Traps Primed
Here is one most people never think about: the water sitting in your drain traps and toilet bowls is what blocks sewer gas from entering your home. In Southern California's dry climate, traps in rarely used bathrooms, floor drains, and laundry standpipes can evaporate during a long trip. Before you leave, run water in every sink, shower, and tub for 30 seconds, flush every toilet, and pour a cup of water into floor drains. A splash of mineral oil in floor drains slows evaporation even further. Your nose will thank you when you get back.
Set the Thermostat Sensibly
Even in Orange County, an empty house in winter can get cold enough to stress pipes in exterior walls or unconditioned spaces. Leaving the thermostat at a moderate setting keeps the house stable. It also keeps humidity in check, which matters for wood floors and cabinets.
Have Someone Check In
The best insurance is a human being. Ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to walk through the house once or twice while you are away — and make sure they know where the main shutoff is, too. Give them our number as well, so if they do find water where it should not be, help is one call away.
Do the Prep Once, Travel Easy
Twenty minutes of plumbing prep buys real peace of mind. And if you would rather have a professional handle the walkthrough — checking supply lines, the water heater, and shutoff valves before a long trip — call 911 Drain Lines at (714) 746-7611. We are available 24/7, and we would much rather help you prevent a flood than clean one up.
