February 11, 2026

Your Vacation Home Checklist: How to Prepare Your Home Before Travelling

Planning a vacation is exciting—but leaving your home unattended for days or weeks at a time can be stressful. From plumbing leaks to electrical issues and HVAC concerns, small problems can turn into major headaches while you’re away. That’s why having a thorough checklist before leaving home for vacation is essential.

This vacation home checklist will help you protect your home, avoid costly damage, and enjoy your time away with peace of mind.

1. Plumbing Checklist Before Leaving Home for Vacation

Plumbing issues are one of the most common causes of vacation-related damage.

Before you leave, take these steps:

• Shut off the main water supply if you’ll be gone more than a few days
• Turn off the water to the washing machines and dishwashers
• Check under sinks and around toilets for existing leaks
• Flush toilets and run faucets briefly to confirm proper drainage
• Set your water heater to “vacation” mode or lower the temperature

Turning off the main water valve alone can prevent catastrophic flooding from burst pipes, failed supply lines, or appliance malfunctions. This valve is usually located on an exterior wall in a basement or crawl space. If you are unable to shut off the main water supply, you can shut off the water supply valve to individual plumbing fixtures such as the washing machine, dishwasher, sinks, and toilets.

Keep in mind that turning off the main water supply to your home could potentially impact a boiler system or sprinkler system, depending on how these systems were piped and installed. If you have questions about your plumbing system or plumbing fixtures, give Applewood a call. We would be happy to have one of our licensed plumbers come out to your property and help.

2. HVAC Preparation for an Empty Home

Your HVAC system doesn’t need to be running at full blast when no one is home—but it does need to protect your house.

Adjust your system appropriately:

• In summer, raise the thermostat several degrees to reduce energy use
• In winter, lower the temperature while keeping it high enough to prevent frozen pipes (typically 50 degrees or higher)
• Replace dirty air filters before leaving
• Make sure vents are open and unobstructed

While you’re away from home, manufacturers recommend setting thermostats to 80-85 degrees in the summer and no lower than 50 degrees in the winter to prevent the interior of your home from freezing. Some smart thermostats have a ‘vacation mode’ that saves energy while you’re away and ensures comfort upon your return.

If your system has been cycling frequently, making unusual noises, or struggling to hold temperature, schedule service before you leave. Small HVAC issues can worsen when left unattended.

3. Electrical Safety Checklist

Electrical problems can pose safety risks and unnecessary energy use while you’re away.

Before heading out:

• Unplug non-essential electronics and appliances
• Turn off the lights you don’t need
• Use timers or smart lighting for security
• Make sure all outlets and switches are in good condition

If you’ve noticed flickering lights, warm outlets, or frequent breaker trips, those issues should be addressed before your trip—not after.

4. Kitchen and Appliance Prep

The kitchen can be another common source of post-vacation surprises.

Take a few minutes to:

• Take out your trash
• Run the garbage disposal with water to clear debris
• Ensure there’s no debris in your drain catchers
• Unplug small countertop appliances
• Wipe down surfaces to discourage pests

These steps help prevent odors, clogs, and unwanted visitors while you’re gone.

5. Exterior and Utility Checks

Don’t forget to walk around the outside of your home before leaving.

Check these areas:

• Disconnect garden hoses
• Shut off exterior water valves if available
• Adjust irrigation timers to avoid overwatering
• Clear gutters and downspouts if storms are expected

6. Final Security Walkthrough

Before you leave, do one last pass through your home.

Confirm that:

• All doors and windows are locked
• Garage doors are closed
• Security systems are armed
• Thermostats are set correctly
• Water valves are secure

This final walkthrough often catches small details that are easy to miss during packing.

7. Tell a Neighbor

Inform a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member of your travel plans and ask if they could periodically check on your home. If they do happen to find a leak or other potential problem situation, the issue can be addressed right away.

When Professional Help Makes Sense

If your home has older plumbing, aging electrical systems, or HVAC equipment that hasn’t been serviced recently, professional inspections add peace of mind. Addressing small concerns ahead of time reduces the chance of emergency calls while you’re out of town.

Professional pre-vacation service can include:

• Plumbing inspections and water shutoff checks
• Electrical panel and outlet safety inspections
• HVAC maintenance and system testing

Let Applewood Help You Prepare Your Home

At Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, we help homeowners protect their homes before they travel. Our licensed, background-checked technicians have served Colorado homeowners for over 50 years, offering reliable plumbing, electrical, and HVAC services.

We provide extended service hours, arrive on time, and never charge overtime fees—making it easy to check these items off your vacation home checklist.

Schedule Pre-Vacation Home Service Today

Use this checklist before leaving home for vacation—but if you want extra peace of mind, let the professionals handle it. Whether you need plumbing checks, HVAC maintenance, or electrical inspections, Applewood is ready to help.

Call Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric at (303) 444-1633 to schedule pre-vacation home service today.