Going on holiday: should I turn the water off?
If you're going away for a week or more, turning off the water is one of the simplest ways to protect your home. A burst flexi hose or a split pipe while nobody's home can run for days, and the damage to floors, walls and the neighbours below can be huge. Here's a simple checklist for water, hot water, gas and pumps before you leave, and what to do when you get back.
Before you leave
- Turn off the water at the main valve, usually beside the water meter. In an apartment, turn off your unit's valve. See our water shut-off guide.
- Turn off or set the hot water to holiday mode. An electric storage system can be switched off at its isolating switch or the switchboard to save power. Many gas systems have a holiday or pilot setting. Continuous flow systems use almost nothing when no water is running, so they can be left.
- Turn off the rainwater pump at its power point, so it doesn't run against a closed system.
- Turn off the washing machine and dishwasher taps if you don't turn off the main.
- Gas: you can leave the gas on, but turning it off at the meter is fine for a long trip. See our gas shut-off guide.
- Garden and irrigation: if the garden needs watering while you're away, you may need to leave the main on. In that case at least turn off the washing machine taps and check your flexi hoses.
What could go wrong if you don't
Burst flexi hose
The braided hoses under sinks and behind toilets are one of the most common causes of water damage. See flexi hoses.
Washing machine hose
These hoses sit under constant pressure when the taps are left on.
Running toilet
A toilet that starts running while you're away can waste thousands of litres before you get back.
Hot water tank leak
An old tank can start leaking at any time. With the water off, it can only lose what's in the tank.
When you get back
- Turn the main valve back on slowly and check under sinks and around toilets for drips.
- Run each tap for a few seconds to clear air from the pipes. A bit of spluttering is normal.
- Turn the power or gas back on to the hot water. A storage tank can take a few hours to heat.
- If a gas pilot has gone out, relight it following the instructions on the unit. See relighting a hot water system.
- Turn the rainwater pump back on.
Before a long trip
If your main valve is stiff, leaking or won't fully close, or your flexi hoses are old, it's worth getting them sorted before you go. We can replace a seized main valve with an easy quarter-turn valve and check every flexi hose in the house in one visit, with a fixed price before any work starts. Many older homes in Matraville, Maroubra and Botany still have original valves that no longer shut off properly.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
Should I turn my water off when I go on holiday?
Yes, for anything longer than a few days. It's the easiest way to prevent water damage from a burst hose or pipe while you're away.
Should I turn off my hot water system when I go away?
Turning off an electric storage system saves power. Many gas systems have a holiday setting. Continuous flow systems can usually be left on.
Is it safe to turn the water off with the hot water system on?
The tank stays full when the water is off, so it's generally fine, but turning the heater off as well saves power while you're away.
Why do my taps splutter when I turn the water back on?
Air got into the pipes while the water was off. Run each tap for a few seconds and it will clear.
Related help: water shut-off guide, gas shut-off guide, flexi hoses, hot water and rainwater tanks. Local pages: Matraville, Maroubra, Botany and Coogee. Browse all our plumbing guides.