Getting ready to leave town usually comes down to the basics. Lock the doors, pack what you need, and make sure everything is set before you go.
Plumbing is one of those things that rarely comes up in that moment. Everything is working, nothing feels off, and it is easy to assume it will stay that way while you are gone.
What tends to cause problems is not what you see before leaving, but what continues unnoticed while the house is empty.
In Calgary, we often see situations where a small issue that would have been easy to catch becomes much larger simply because no one was there to notice it early. A slow drip, a loose connection, or a sump pump that fails to activate properly can persist for days without interruption.
With a bit of preparation, that risk can be reduced significantly.
Why Plumbing Prep Matters Before You Leave
Plumbing issues rarely begin with something obvious. More often, it is a connection that has begun to loosen, a seal that is wearing down, or a component nearing the end of its lifespan.
When someone is home, these things usually get noticed. When a home is empty, they continue without interruption.
In Calgary, a few local factors increase that risk:
- Sudden temperature swings, even outside of winter
- Older plumbing systems in many established neighbourhoods
- Spring thaw and heavy rain putting added pressure on sump pumps
We see this pattern regularly. It is rarely a single failure. It is usually something small that was already in motion.
Shut Off Your Water Supply
If you are going away for more than a day, turning off the main water supply is one of the simplest ways to prevent a larger issue.
In most Calgary homes, the shutoff valve is located in the basement near where the main water line enters the house.
When it makes sense to shut it off:
- Vacations longer than 2 to 3 days
- Winter travel, especially during colder stretches
- Homes with older plumbing or a previous leak history
When it may not be necessary:
- Someone is checking the property regularly
One thing we run into fairly often is a shutoff valve that has not been used in years. When homeowners try to turn it before leaving, it either doesn’t move or leaks slightly.
If you are not sure when yours was last used, it is worth testing it ahead of time rather than right before heading out.
Consider a Smart Water Shutoff Device
For homeowners who travel often, have older plumbing, or just want another layer of protection, a smart water shutoff device can be worth considering.
Systems like Flo by Moen are installed on the main water line and monitor water activity in the home. If the system detects unusual water use, it can sends an alert to your phone and shuts off the water main if not cleared. Some These systems usually also allow you to shut off the water remotely through an app.
That can be a big difference when you are already away from home.
It is the classic vacation moment: you are sitting on the plane, looking at your spouse, wondering, “Did we forget anything?” Instead of worrying about whether the water was shut off, you can check your phone and, if needed, turn it off from wherever you are.
We have seen what happens when a leak runs unnoticed while someone is away. One customer returned from vacation to a Poly B leak that had turned part of their basement into a small swimming pool. Not the kind of welcome home anyone wants.
A smart shutoff device does not replace good plumbing maintenance, but it can give you more control when you are not there to catch a problem yourself.
Check for Leaks Before You Go
The goal here is not to assume everything is perfect, but to ensure nothing is quietly going wrong.
Leaks tend to show up in places that are easy to overlook during day-to-day use.
- Under sinks and inside cabinets
- Around toilets, especially at the base and supply line
- Near your water heater
- Behind appliances like washing machines and dishwashers
In Calgary homes, we often see small leaks around older shutoff valves and supply lines that have been in place for years without being touched.
If you want to go one step further, check your water meter. With everything turned off, it should remain still. If it continues moving, that usually indicates water is going somewhere it shouldn’t.
Test Your Sump Pump
Sump pumps are one of the most important systems in the home, but they are easy to forget about until something goes wrong.
In Calgary, this becomes especially important during the spring thaw or after heavy rainfall. We can get calls after storms when the pump either fails to activate or cannot keep up.
Simple test:
- Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit
- Watch how quickly the pump responds and clears the water
Watch for:
- Delayed activation
- Weak discharge
- Pump not turning on at all
If anything feels inconsistent, it is better to address it before leaving.
Adjust Your Water Heater
Lowering your water heater temperature or switching it to vacation mode helps reduce unnecessary strain when the system is not in use.
This step:
- Reduces energy use
- Lowers pressure in the system
For most homes, a small adjustment is enough. There is no need to turn the system off completely.
Protect Pipes From Temperature Changes
Calgary temperatures can shift quickly, even during seasons that feel mild.
We have seen cases where homeowners leave during what feels like stable weather, only for temperatures to drop unexpectedly overnight.
It is best to keep your thermostat at a steady setting rather than turning the heat off completely.
This is especially important for:
- Basements
- Exterior walls
- Older homes with less insulation
Keeping consistent heat helps prevent pipes from becoming vulnerable.
Run Water Through Your Drains
Before leaving, run water through:
- Sinks
- Showers
- Floor drains
This clears minor buildup and helps maintain the water seals in your plumbing system.
In empty homes, dry traps can sometimes allow odours to come back into the house. This step helps prevent that.
Check and Shut Off Appliances
Appliances connected to water are one of the more common failure points when a home is empty.
Pay attention to:
- Washing machine hoses
- Dishwasher connections
- Refrigerator water lines
We regularly see fridge water lines leak without warning. The fridge lines are often plastic and become brittle and fail over time. We recommend and use braided lines.
If possible, shutting off the water supply to these appliances removes that risk.
Have a Backup Plan
If you will be away for more than a week, having someone check in on your home is a practical step.
Make sure they know:
- Where the main water shutoff valve is
- What to look for if something seems off
- Who to contact if there is an issue
This is one of the simplest ways to catch a problem early.
Common Plumbing Issues After Vacation
When problems happen while a home is empty, they tend to follow a pattern.
What we most often see homeowners come back to:
- Small leaks that continued over time
- Water buildup in basements
- Appliance line failures, especially fridges
- Backups that developed gradually
These situations are rarely sudden. In most cases, something small was already happening before the homeowner left.
When It Makes Sense to Have Things Checked
Some homes benefit from a quick inspection before leaving.
This is especially true if:
- You have had leaks in the past
- Your home has older plumbing, such as Poly B
- You are planning to be away for an extended period
- You travel often and want a more reliable way to monitor your water system
- You are interested in a smart water shutoff device, such as Flo by Moen
- You want added peace of mind
A short inspection can confirm that shutoff valves, sump pumps, and key connections are working properly.
Pre-Vacation Plumbing Checklist
To keep things simple:
- Ensure your main shut off valve is operable
- Shut off the main water supply if the home will be empty
- Check for visible leaks under cabinets, toilet supply lines and under appliances
- Test the sump pump
- Lower water heater temperature
- Keep the thermostat at a steady setting
- Run water through all drains
- Shut off toilet supply lines
- Shut off appliance water lines if possible
- Arrange for someone to check the home
Preparing Before You Leave
Most of these steps take very little time, but they help prevent situations that are difficult to handle from a distance.
If something does not feel right, it is always easier to address it before you go than to try to manage it remotely.
At Harper’s Plumbing, we take a straightforward approach. We look at what is there, explain what we are seeing, and help you decide what actually needs attention.
If you are preparing to leave town and want to make sure everything is in good shape, we are always here to help.
