Summer trips to the Tetons, Yellowstone, or out of state are common — and so are coming-home surprises: a leak that ran for days, a dry trap that filled the house with sewer smell, or a water heater that failed while you were gone. A short checklist before you leave cuts most of that risk.

Before you lock the door

  • Know the main shutoff and, if you will be gone more than a few days, shut water off at the main. That single step stops a supply-side leak from flooding the house.
  • Turn off the water heater (or set it to vacation/pilot mode per the manual) if water is shut off — never leave a tank firing with no water flowing for long stretches without following manufacturer guidance.
  • Run water in every trap — guest baths, basement floor drains, laundry sinks — so sewer gas stays blocked while you are away.
  • Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets so frost-free sillcocks can drain and seals are not under constant pressure.
  • Stop the dishwasher and washing machine mid-cycle before you leave; a stuck valve or hose failure is a classic vacation flood.
  • Ask a neighbor to glance for water in the driveway, crawl-space vents, or unusual yard wetness if you leave water on for irrigation.

Irrigation and outdoor systems

If sprinklers stay on while you travel, confirm timers are sane and you are not watering a broken head that saturates the foundation. A sudden spike in the water bill after vacation often traces to an outdoor leak. For hose bibs that already drip, fix them before you leave — see our guide to outdoor faucet and hose bib leaks.

Well and septic properties

Rural homes outside city water should note pump behavior before leaving. Short-cycling or no pressure can mean a pressure-tank or pump issue — better to catch it before a week of heat with no water. Septic systems do not need special vacation steps for a short trip, but large guest loads right before you leave can stress a marginal system. Our well and septic primer covers the basics.

If you come home to a problem

Shut the main first if water is still running. Document damage for insurance. Then request emergency plumbing or the right service page for the issue — leak detection, water heater, drains. We match available licensed local plumbers across East Idaho; they contact you to confirm timing and pricing.