Before you leave
- Set the heat no lower than about 15 degrees.
- Close the main water shut-off and drain the lines if you will be gone a long time.
- Turn the water heater to vacation mode.
- Ask a neighbour to check the house every few days.
Extra protection
- Install water leak alarms or a smart shut-off valve
- Test the sump pump and backup battery
- Disconnect hoses outside
Insurance
Plenty of home policies insist a person looks in on an empty house at set intervals in winter. Read your policy before you go.
When you return
Open the main slowly, check for leaks and run each tap.
Smart valves and sensors
A smart shut-off valve on the main can close itself when a leak sensor trips, even while you are on another continent. Pair it with a temperature sensor that warns you if the furnace stops. Ask your insurer whether they offer a discount for these devices; some do. If the house will be empty for weeks, have the furnace serviced before you leave.
Rather hand it over? Our plumbers handle floor drain repair and sump pump repair along with everything else on our residential plumbing list.