You have locked the doors, emptied the fridge and asked someone to collect the mail. But have you prepared your plumbing for an empty house?
A small leak is usually manageable when someone is home to notice it. The same leak running unnoticed for several days can damage cabinetry, flooring, plasterboard, furniture and electrical systems.
South East Queensland’s Urban Utilities recommends considering turning off the water at the meter before going on holiday in case there is a hidden leak. Australian insurers also regularly recommend checking flexible hoses and isolating the water supply before leaving a home unoccupied.
Before your next trip, complete these seven plumbing checks.
1. Check for Hidden Water Use
A hidden leak may already be wasting water before you leave.
To perform a simple water-meter test:
- Turn off every tap and water-using appliance.
- Make sure the washing machine, dishwasher, irrigation system and toilets are not operating.
- Find the water meter and record its reading.
- Avoid using water for at least 30 minutes.
- Check the meter again.
If the reading has changed, water may be escaping somewhere on the property.
A moving meter does not reveal the location of the leak. Possible causes include a running toilet, dripping relief valve, leaking underground pipe, irrigation fault or concealed internal leak.
Having it investigated before leaving is safer than hoping it remains small while the house is empty.
2. Inspect the Flexible Hoses
Flexible braided hoses connect the water supply to many household fixtures and appliances, including:
- Basin mixers
- Kitchen taps
- Toilets
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Plumbed refrigerators
These hoses operate under continuous water pressure. If one splits or separates from its fitting, water can continue escaping until the supply is isolated.
Look for:
- Rust or discolouration
- Fraying or broken metal braiding
- Bulging sections
- Moisture around either connection
- Kinks or twisting
- Cracking near the fittings
- Hoses rubbing against stored items or sharp surfaces
Do not ignore a damaged hose because it is not currently leaking. Visible deterioration means the hose should be assessed and replaced before it fails.
Avoid tightening plumbing connections yourself unless you are qualified. Overtightening can damage seals, fittings or the hose itself.
3. Check Taps, Toilets and Appliances
Walk through the property and listen carefully.
A toilet that continues filling after it has been flushed can waste a substantial amount of water. A dripping tap may seem minor, but it can indicate a worn internal component or pressure problem.
Check for:
- Toilets that hiss or refill without being used
- Taps that continue dripping
- Moisture underneath sinks and basins
- Water around the base of toilets
- Damp cabinetry
- Washing-machine taps that are difficult to close
- Dishwasher connections showing corrosion or moisture
- Unusual sounds from pipes or the hot-water system
Place a dry piece of paper towel beneath any suspicious connection. Even a slow leak will usually become easier to see.
4. Inspect the Hot-Water System
The hot-water system should be checked before an extended absence, particularly if it is ageing or has shown signs of trouble.
Look for:
- Water pooling around the system
- Continuous discharge from a relief pipe
- Rust or corrosion
- Damp insulation or pipework
- Unusual noises
- Error codes
- A noticeable increase in energy use
- Hot water running out more quickly than usual
Some water released from a temperature pressure relief valve during heating can be normal. Continuous or excessive discharge may indicate a fault that needs professional assessment.
Do not automatically switch off the electricity or gas supply without checking the instructions for your particular system. Requirements differ between electric storage, gas storage, continuous-flow, solar and heat-pump systems.
Some modern heat pumps include a holiday or vacation mode designed to reduce energy use while keeping the system protected. For other systems, the manufacturer may recommend leaving the unit operating normally during a short absence.
If you are unsure, check the owner’s manual or ask a plumber before changing the water, power or gas supply.
5. Decide Whether to Turn Off the Water Main
For many houses, turning off the water at the meter is a sensible precaution before an extended trip. It reduces the amount of water that can escape if a pressurised pipe, tap connector or flexible hose fails.
The isolation valve is usually located beside the water meter near the front boundary of the property.
Before relying on it:
- Make sure you know where it is
- Check that it can be operated
- Confirm that it shuts off the household supply
- Look for leaks around the valve
- Do not force a seized or damaged valve
After closing the main valve, briefly open a cold tap to release pressure and confirm that the water stops. Close the tap again afterwards.
There are circumstances where completely isolating the supply requires more thought. Your property may have:
- An irrigation system
- Automatic pool-filling equipment
- A plumbed refrigerator
- A water filtration system
- Fire-protection equipment
- Someone visiting to care for pets or plants
- Equipment that depends on a continuous supply
Apartment residents should also confirm which valve isolates their individual unit. Do not interfere with common-property plumbing or a valve that may supply other apartments.
If you cannot identify or safely operate the correct valve, contact a plumber before leaving.
6. Check Outdoor Drainage and the Overflow Relief Gully
Queensland holidays often coincide with periods of storms and heavy rainfall. Internal plumbing is therefore only part of the preparation.
Check that:
- Outdoor drains are not covered by leaves, soil or stored items
- Grates are clear
- Stormwater can move away from the building
- Gutters and downpipes are not visibly overflowing or blocked
- The overflow relief gully is not covered, sealed or surrounded by soil
The overflow relief gully is designed to provide a lower external escape point if the sewer drain becomes blocked. Covering it with landscaping, paving or stored objects can prevent it from doing its job.
Slow drains, gurgling toilets, sewage smells or wastewater appearing outside should be investigated before leaving the property unattended.
7. Arrange a Final Check While You Are Away
Even after preparing the plumbing, it is useful to have a trusted person inspect the property during a longer absence.
Ask them to check:
- Floors around toilets and vanities
- Cabinetry beneath sinks
- The laundry
- The hot-water system
- Ceilings below upstairs bathrooms
- The area around the water meter
- Outdoor drains after heavy rain
A leak sensor can provide another layer of protection. Smart sensors placed near a washing machine, dishwasher, hot-water system or vanity can alert you when moisture is detected.
Some systems can automatically isolate the water supply, although they must be selected and installed correctly.
What Should You Do When You Return?
If the water was isolated, open the main valve slowly.
Restoring the pressure too quickly can create unnecessary movement and noise within the plumbing system. Once the valve is open:
- Run a cold tap until trapped air clears and the flow becomes steady.
- Flush the toilets.
- Check underneath sinks and around appliances.
- Inspect the hot-water system.
- Listen for water movement after every fixture has been turned off.
- Recheck the water meter if anything seems unusual.
If a pipe starts leaking, close the water supply again and contact a plumber.
A Five-Minute Check Can Prevent Days of Cleanup
Most plumbing failures do not occur because someone used a tap incorrectly. They occur because a hose, valve, seal or pipe deteriorated quietly and eventually failed.
The consequences become much worse when nobody is home to notice.
Before leaving for your next holiday, check the meter, inspect flexible hoses, look for existing leaks and make sure you know how to isolate the water supply.
If the main valve is seized, a hose looks damaged or something does not seem right, arrange an inspection before you go.
RJT Plumbing & Gas can check household plumbing, replace deteriorated flexible hoses, investigate hidden water use and repair isolation valves before your home is left unattended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I turn off the water main before going on holiday?
For many houses, turning off the water at the meter is a sensible precaution before an extended holiday. It can limit the water released if a pressurised hose, pipe or fitting fails. Consider whether irrigation, pool-filling equipment, fire protection or someone caring for the property will still require water.
Where is my home's main water isolation valve?
For a typical house, the main isolation valve is usually beside the water meter near the front property boundary. In apartments, an individual isolation valve may be located in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry or a services cupboard. Confirm that the valve only controls your property before operating it.
Should I turn off my hot-water system while I am away?
Do not automatically disconnect the electricity or gas without checking the instructions for the specific system. Electric storage, gas, solar, continuous-flow and heat-pump systems have different requirements. Some modern systems include a holiday or vacation mode.
How can I check for a hidden water leak before leaving?
Turn off all taps and water-using appliances, record the water-meter reading and avoid using water for at least 30 minutes. If the meter reading changes, there may be a hidden leak that should be investigated.
What signs show that a flexible plumbing hose needs replacing?
Warning signs include rust, discolouration, frayed braiding, bulging, cracking, moisture around the fittings, kinking or twisting. A deteriorated hose should be assessed and replaced before it fails.
Can I turn off the main water supply in an apartment?
Only operate a valve confirmed to isolate your individual apartment. Do not interfere with common-property plumbing or a valve that may supply other units. Ask the building manager or a licensed plumber if the correct valve cannot be identified.
What plumbing should I check before a holiday?
Check the water meter, flexible hoses, toilets, taps, appliance connections, hot-water system, main isolation valve, outdoor drains and overflow relief gully. Existing leaks or damaged components should be repaired before the property is left unattended.
How should I restore the water supply after returning home?
Open the main isolation valve slowly, run a cold tap until trapped air clears, flush the toilets and inspect plumbing connections for leaks. If a leak appears, isolate the supply again and contact a plumber.
