Quick Answer — What To Do With Plumbing Before Vacation in Toronto
Before leaving for vacation from a Toronto or GTA home: (1) Shut off the main water valve, (2) set water heater to vacation mode, (3) turn off appliance supply lines, (4) disconnect outdoor hoses, (5) test your sump pump, (6) set thermostat to minimum 15°C in winter, (7) inspect all pipes and fixtures for drips, (8) flush all drain traps, (9) arrange a neighbour check-in, and (10) save your emergency plumber's number: Dr. Plumbing Inc. at (416) 417-3007, available 24/7 across all GTA regions.
Planning a vacation from Toronto or the GTA? Most homeowners spend hours packing but completely forget about their plumbing. That mistake can cost thousands of dollars.
Water damage is the most common and expensive home insurance claim in Canada. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, water damage now surpasses fire damage as the leading cause of home insurance claims nationwide. A single burst pipe or undetected leak running for one week can cause $20,000–$50,000 in damage — mould, warped floors, ruined walls, and destroyed belongings.
The good news: it takes less than 30 minutes to fully protect your home before you leave. Here is the complete 10-step plumbing checklist for Toronto and GTA homeowners.
⚠️ Important for Toronto homeowners: Most Canadian home insurance policies require you to shut off your main water supply if leaving your home unoccupied for more than 4 consecutive days. Failing to do so may void your water damage coverage. Check your policy before you travel.
The Complete 10-Step Plumbing Checklist Before Vacation
Shut Off Your Main Water Valve
This is the single most important step. Shutting off your main water valve means that even if a pipe cracks, a hose fails, or a toilet supply line bursts — no water can flood your home. In most Toronto homes, the main shutoff valve is in the basement near the front foundation wall, close to where the water line enters from the street. Turn the wheel clockwise until it stops. Test it: turn on a tap — if water stops within a few seconds, it's fully off.
Set Your Water Heater to Vacation Mode
If you shut off the main water supply, you must also turn off your water heater. A heater running without water flow can overheat and fail — or become a fire hazard. Most water heaters have a "Vacation" setting on the dial. If yours doesn't, set it to the lowest temperature. For tankless water heaters, turn them off at the breaker. This also saves on your energy bill while you're away.
Turn Off Appliance Supply Lines
Even with the main valve off, individually shut off supply lines to high-risk appliances: your washing machine (two hoses — hot and cold), dishwasher (under the sink), and refrigerator ice maker. These rubber supply hoses age and crack over time and are a common cause of vacation floods in GTA homes.
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
Disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor taps before leaving — even in summer. A hose left connected can trap water in the faucet and supply pipe. In Toronto, where overnight temperatures can drop unexpectedly even in June and September, this prevents damage to your outdoor plumbing. Drain the hose completely and store it away.
Test Your Sump Pump
If your GTA home has a sump pump, test it before you go. Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit — it should activate within seconds. If it doesn't start, or runs continuously, call a plumber before your trip. A failed sump pump during a Toronto summer storm can flood your entire basement within hours. If your pump is more than 7–10 years old, have it inspected or replaced before vacation season.
Set Your Thermostat — Never Turn Heat Completely Off
This applies to fall and winter vacations — but even in late spring, Toronto nights can get cold. Never turn heating completely off. Set the thermostat to a minimum of 15°C (59°F). Pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, and garages can freeze when indoor temperatures drop below 13°C. A frozen pipe that bursts can release hundreds of litres of water per hour before anyone notices.
Inspect All Visible Pipes and Fixtures for Drips
Walk through your entire home. Check under every sink, behind the toilet, around the water heater base, and exposed pipes in the basement. Look for moisture, water stains, corrosion, or active drips. Even a very slow drip can become a serious problem over a week. If you find anything concerning, call Dr. Plumbing at (416) 417-3007 before your trip.
Flush All Drain Traps
The P-trap under your sinks and floor drain traps hold water that blocks sewer gases from entering your home. If you're leaving for two or more weeks, these traps can dry out and allow unpleasant sewer odours to fill your home. Before leaving, run water in all sinks, tubs, showers, and floor drains. For very long absences, add a small amount of mineral oil to slow evaporation.
Arrange a Neighbour Check-In
For any trip longer than 4–5 days, ask a trusted neighbour or family member to check your home every 2–3 days. Give them the location of your main water shutoff valve and the number for an emergency plumber. Many GTA homeowners have returned from vacation to find that a small issue — caught by a neighbour in the first 24 hours — was prevented from becoming a major flood. This is also often a requirement of your home insurance policy.
Save an Emergency Plumber's Number
Leave the number of a 24/7 emergency plumber with your neighbour and in your phone. Dr. Plumbing Inc. responds across all GTA regions in 45 minutes, any hour, any day: (416) 417-3007. No overtime surcharge. No voicemail. A real person answers every call.
💡 Pro tip from Dr. Plumbing: Take a 2-minute video walkthrough of your basement and utility room before you leave. If something looks different when you return, you'll have a clear reference point. This also helps any neighbour understand the normal state of your plumbing.
Smart Technology — Optional but Worth Considering
GTA homeowners who travel frequently are increasingly installing smart water leak detectors. Devices like the Moen Flo or Phyn Plus monitor your entire plumbing system remotely, detect unusual water flow, and can automatically shut off your water supply from anywhere in the world via a smartphone app. These systems typically cost $500–$1,000 installed and can prevent tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Ask Dr. Plumbing about smart water shutoff installation for your GTA home.
Pre-Vacation Plumbing Inspection
Not sure if your sump pump, water heater, or pipes are vacation-ready? Book a quick pre-departure inspection with Dr. Plumbing. We check your entire system, fix anything that needs attention, and give you written peace of mind before you leave.
Call (416) 417-300724/7 · Licensed & Insured · All GTA Regions · Flat-Rate Pricing
When You Return from Vacation
Before turning your main water back on after vacation, walk through your home first. Check the basement, under sinks, and around appliances for any signs of moisture. Then slowly open the main valve — don't rush it. Turn on a cold tap as you open the valve to release any trapped air in the lines.
If you notice water stains, musty smells, or moisture that wasn't there before, call Dr. Plumbing at (416) 417-3007 immediately for an inspection.
Quick Reference Checklist — Print or Save to Your Phone
- ✅ Main water valve — OFF
- ✅ Water heater — Vacation mode or OFF
- ✅ Washing machine supply hoses — OFF
- ✅ Dishwasher supply line — OFF
- ✅ Fridge ice maker line — OFF
- ✅ Outdoor garden hoses — Disconnected and drained
- ✅ Sump pump — Tested and working
- ✅ Thermostat — Minimum 15°C in cold months
- ✅ All pipes and fixtures — No drips detected
- ✅ All drain traps — Flushed with water
- ✅ Neighbour check-in — Arranged
- ✅ Emergency plumber saved — (416) 417-3007
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — shutting off your main water valve is the single most important step before leaving for vacation. Most Toronto home insurance policies require water shutoff if leaving for more than 4 consecutive days. Your main shutoff is typically in the basement near the front foundation wall. Turn clockwise to close.
Set your thermostat to a minimum of 15°C (59°F) during winter months. Never turn the heat completely off in a Toronto home during cold weather — pipes in exterior walls can freeze and burst when indoor temperatures drop below 13°C.
Yes — if you shut off the main water supply, always turn off the water heater too. A heater running without water flow can overheat and fail. Set it to vacation mode, the lowest temperature setting, or turn it off at the breaker for tankless units.
A burst pipe can release hundreds of litres of water per hour, causing severe structural damage, mould, and destroyed flooring. Shut off the main valve immediately when you return and call Dr. Plumbing at (416) 417-3007. We respond across the GTA in 45 minutes, 24/7.
In most Toronto and GTA homes, the main water shutoff valve is in the basement near the front foundation wall — close to where the water line enters from the street. It is a round wheel or lever handle. Turn clockwise to shut off, counterclockwise to open. If you cannot find it, Dr. Plumbing can locate and label it during a home visit.
