# Turn off water to house before leaving on vacation **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 26, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566 "2019-05-26T18:58:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/21 "2019-05-27T15:58:48Z")
As I was getting ready to leave for 4 days I heard a noise from the basement and investigated to find the water heater had just split down the side. But we also returned home from the store to find the valve on the toilet had broken. Not that its a big deal to turn the water on and off but ----- I just don’t bother. Should; this is an old house. But if I was going to do that I would more likely grab the long wrench for the curb box and go that route. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/22 "2019-05-27T16:55:50Z")
Shutting off the water means the cat bowl can’t be refilled by a friend and all the broccoli will die. We use a house sitter, normally a friend who’s grateful for a bathtub, aircon, and being paid to pet cats. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/23 "2019-05-27T17:18:00Z")
I worked with a guy who went on a winter vacation, a vacation from wintery Ottawa I mean. While he was gone someone broke into his house through a basement window. This, in turn, caused the water pipes in the house to freeze and burst thereby spraying water everywhere and ruining everything. Because he didn’t have a neighbour or someone checking the place daily he was denied any insurance coverage. Always have someone check on your property. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/24 "2019-05-27T17:57:06Z")
Really? Do homeowner’s insurance policies call for the house to be checked daily, or at all? Because many people I know go on vacation and have someone check the house after a few days or not at all. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2019, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/25 "2019-05-27T18:05:17Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Really? Do homeowner’s insurance policies call for the house to be checked daily, or at all? Because many people I know go on vacation and have someone check the house after a few days or not at all. I never read the fine print on mine, but that’s the story I was told. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2019, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/26 "2019-05-27T19:35:12Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Really? Do homeowner’s insurance policies call for the house to be checked daily, or at all? Because many people I know go on vacation and have someone check the house after a few days or not at all. I’m not sure if its daily or what (YMMV) but I do know that it has been used to deny additional damage after an event such as a break-in or fire or whatever. In other words “we’ll give you $500 for the stuff that got stolen but since someone wasn’t there to secure the broken window you are out anything else”. (A cousin sold insurance for State Farm— Home of the Loophole) ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/27 "2019-05-27T20:43:25Z")
I used to turn the water main off before we had pets, but now we have people coming in to take care of cats and a bird. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > That has always been a fear of mine. I know someone whose washing machine hose burst while they were gone for 2 weeks. This is why I have metal-braid hoses on my washing machine. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2019, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/28 "2019-05-27T20:58:55Z")
I’m here to tell you, a burst washing machine hose is a nightmare. And it’s why I turn off the main water valve every time I leave the house, no exceptions. I even turn it off at night when I go to bed. About ten years ago I was sound asleep and woke up to the sound of Niagara Falls. I thought, “I’m dreaming,” and put my head back down. A moment later I realized I wasn’t dreaming and a moment after that I was in ankle deep water in my hallway. That all took less than ten seconds. Washing machine hoses are under constant pressure, even when not in use. So all it takes is a pinhole opening and you get the disaster I experienced. Thank dog I was home at the time, but still a major deal with insurance and new carpets and mold, etc. Today, I take no chances. Edit: Just remembered, the insurance guy who came to assess the damage told me burst washing machine hoses were the most common reason for water-based claims. I have the braided metal ones now, and suggest them to everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/29 "2019-05-27T21:11:21Z")
Even better than the braided metal washing machine hoses (or perhaps in addition to them) is a manual or automatic shutoff valve at the machine. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/30 "2019-05-28T01:01:20Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > I’m here to tell you, a burst washing machine hose is a nightmare. And it’s why I turn off the main water valve every time I leave the house, no exceptions. I even turn it off at night when I go to bed. > > About ten years ago I was sound asleep and woke up to the sound of Niagara Falls. I thought, “I’m dreaming,” and put my head back down. A moment later I realized I wasn’t dreaming and a moment after that I was in ankle deep water in my hallway. That all took less than ten seconds. > > Washing machine hoses are under constant pressure, even when not in use. So all it takes is a pinhole opening and you get the disaster I experienced. Thank dog I was home at the time, but still a major deal with insurance and new carpets and mold, etc. Today, I take no chances. > > Edit: Just remembered, the insurance guy who came to assess the damage told me burst washing machine hoses were the most common reason for water-based claims. I have the braided metal ones now, and suggest them to everyone. I have the braided washing machine hoses as well. I had a cheap one burst years ago when I happened to be home so I…\*\*\*.wait…what??? You shut off the main water supply every night before you go to bed??? * * * mmm ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/31 "2019-05-28T02:39:01Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I.\*\*\*.wait…what??? You shut off the main water supply every night before you go to bed??? > > * * * Yes, sir. The next time this happens (hopefully never), I don’t intend to be woken from a sound sleep. The valve is in my water heater closet, easily accessible. It’s part of my daily routine. Easy when you live alone, as I do. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/32 "2019-05-28T10:27:06Z")
You don’t have shut off valves right by the washer? (as mentioned above, there are also automatic valves that shout off when the washer isn’t running) Brian ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/33 "2019-05-28T12:09:27Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Really? Do homeowner’s insurance policies call for the house to be checked daily, or at all? Because many people I know go on vacation and have someone check the house after a few days or not at all. It might depend on how long you’re gone. Most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover unoccupied or vacant houses - I think the dividing line is 30 days. And “winter vacation from Ottowa” could be a week-long vacation- or a 3 month stay as a snowbird. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/34 "2019-05-28T12:35:52Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > You don’t have shut off valves right by the washer? (as mentioned above, there are also automatic valves that shout off when the washer isn’t running) > > Brian Not accessible without moving the washing machine - they are in a closet. Changing out the hoses was like conducting an EVA on the Hubble Space Telescope. I had to slide out the machine, wedge myself into a weird yoga position along the side and have a friend hand me tools. Condo living… ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/35 "2019-05-28T13:07:19Z")
I have a sprinkler system in my townhouse, so shutting off the main water supply would be a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/36 "2019-05-28T13:22:07Z")
Yup. The crappy needle valve to my refrigerator broke shortly after I moved to China. Luckily my awesome neighbors spotted it during a safety visit. I had to replace a lot of the floor, the basement ceiling, and the basement carpet. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/37 "2019-05-28T19:12:09Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > Or call your city water folks. At our previous house, the main shutoff was in the street in front of the house and you needed a special tool to turn it off. Pretty sure that it is code almost everywhere to have a water shutoff valve in the house itself. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/38 "2019-05-28T20:32:58Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Pretty sure that it is code almost everywhere to have a water shutoff valve in the house itself. Most definitely. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/39 "2019-05-29T02:07:25Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > I used to turn the water main off before we had pets, but now we have people coming in to take care of cats and a bird. > > This is why I have metal-braid hoses on my washing machine. I’ve got the metal-braid hoses. They fail too. Had to replace the carpet and some of the furniture, plus shifting everything, plus dealing with contractors, plus the insurance company… ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566/40 "2019-05-29T12:26:44Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > It might depend on how long you’re gone. Most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover unoccupied or vacant houses - I think the dividing line is 30 days. And “winter vacation from Ottowa” could be a week-long vacation- or a 3 month stay as a snowbird. There’s probably a difference amongst insurance companies and/or different states’ requirements, but as I used to spend a _lot_ of time on the road, AAA Michigan always told me I was okay as long as it remained my principal residence. One of my neighbors has a rider, though, because his principal residence is now low-tax Florida. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-off-water-to-house-before-leaving-on-vacation/834566.md?page=3)