Preparing Your Well Before Vacation: Extended Absence Checklist

Heading out of town? Whether it's a week-long vacation or a months-long trip, taking a few minutes to prepare your well system can prevent coming home to water damage, pump problems, or costly repairs. Here's exactly what to do.

Quick Checklist by Trip Length

Weekend Trip (1-3 days)

• ☐ No special preparation needed
• ☐ Make sure nothing is obviously leaking before you leave

Week-Long Vacation

• ☐ Turn off water to the house (valve after pressure tank)
• ☐ Check that nothing is dripping or leaking
• ☐ Turn off water heater (saves energy, prevents problems)
• ☐ Leave pump running (maintains system pressure)

2-4 Weeks Away

• ☐ Turn off water to the house
• ☐ Consider turning off pump at breaker
• ☐ Turn off water heater
• ☐ If irrigation needed, set automatic system carefully
• ☐ Have someone check on property mid-trip if possible

Extended Absence (1+ months)

• ☐ Turn off pump at circuit breaker
• ☐ Close valve to house
• ☐ Turn off and drain water heater
• ☐ Consider draining pressure tank
• ☐ In winter: winterize exposed pipes
• ☐ Arrange for periodic property checks
• ☐ Plan for restart procedure when you return

Step-by-Step: Shutting Down Your Well System

Option 1: Partial Shutdown (Recommended for most trips)

Protects against leaks while keeping the system ready for immediate use.

1. Locate the shutoff valve — Usually between the pressure tank and your house plumbing
2. Close the valve — Turn clockwise until tight
3. Leave the pump on — The pump and pressure tank stay pressurized
4. Turn off water heater — At the breaker or gas valve

Why this works: If a pipe breaks in the house, only the water between the shutoff and the break escapes. The pump doesn't run endlessly trying to fill a leaking system.

Option 2: Full Shutdown

Best for extended absence or if you want zero risk of problems.

1. Turn off the well pump breaker — Labeled "Well" or "Pump" in your electrical panel
2. Close the valve to the house
3. Optional: Open a faucet to relieve pressure in the house plumbing
4. Optional: Drain the pressure tank — Opens drain valve at tank bottom
5. Turn off water heater

Note: With the pump off, you have no fire suppression capability from your well. Consider this if you have a fire sprinkler system.

Seasonal Considerations

Winter Vacation (Mountain Areas)

If you're leaving a home in Julian, Palomar, or other mountain communities during winter:

• Risk: Pipes can freeze if heat fails
• Protection: Keep heat on at 55°F minimum
• Better protection: Shut off water, drain pipes and pressure tank
• Insulate: Check that exposed pipes in crawl spaces are insulated
• Wellhead: Ensure well cap is sealed and any above-ground pipes are protected

Summer Vacation

Summer trips have different concerns:

• Irrigation: If you have landscaping or animals, someone needs to manage water
• Power outages: Summer storms can cause pump issues — have a plan for who to call
• Heat: Well houses with pumps or tanks can get very hot; ensure ventilation

Snowbird Departure (Months away)

Leaving for an extended period requires more preparation:

• Full shutdown recommended — Turn off pump, close valves, drain water heater
• Property checks: Arrange monthly inspections
• Restart plan: Know the proper startup procedure
• Water quality: Plan to flush system and possibly shock well when returning

Irrigation Systems During Vacation

If you have plants, animals, or landscaping that need water while you're away:

Automatic Irrigation

• Test the system before leaving — run each zone manually
• Check for leaks or stuck valves
• Adjust timer for seasonal needs
• Install a leak detector if possible
• Have backup contact who can turn off system if problems occur

Animals/Livestock

• Automatic waterers should be tested thoroughly
• Have backup water supply (gravity tank) if possible
• Ensure caretaker knows how to troubleshoot basic well issues

Smart Monitoring Options

Modern technology can alert you to problems while you're away:

Water Leak Sensors

• Place near pressure tank, water heater, washing machine
• WiFi-connected versions send phone alerts
• Cost: $20-50 per sensor

Smart Water Shutoff Valves

• Automatically shut off water when leak detected
• Can be controlled remotely via app
• Cost: $200-500 installed

Power Monitoring

• Smart plugs on sump pumps or non-critical equipment can tell you if power fails
• Some home security systems include power monitoring

When You Return

Coming home after an extended absence requires some attention:

Restarting After Partial Shutdown

1. Turn water heater back on
2. Open the valve to the house
3. Run each faucet until water flows clear
4. Check for any leaks that developed while away

Restarting After Full Shutdown

1. Make sure all faucets are closed
2. Open valve to house
3. Turn on pump breaker
4. Listen for pump to run and pressurize tank
5. Slowly open one faucet — expect air and discolored water initially
6. Run water until clear (may take 5-10 minutes)
7. Turn water heater back on after system is flushed
8. Check for leaks throughout the house

After Extended Absence (1+ Months)

Consider these additional steps:

• Flush thoroughly: Run all faucets for 5-10 minutes
• Test water quality: If water smells or tastes off, consider bacteria test
• Shock the well: If gone more than 3 months, chlorination may be wise
• Inspect pressure tank: Check air charge before heavy use

Who to Call While Away

Leave contact information for:

• Well service company: For pump failures or water problems
• Electrician: For power issues
• Trusted neighbor or property manager: For immediate response

Make sure your emergency contact knows:

• Where the pump breaker is located
• Where the main water shutoff valve is
• Your well service company's phone number

We service all major pump brands including Franklin Electric, Grundfos, Goulds (Xylem), and Sta-Rite (Pentair). Our trucks carry common parts and components for same-day repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions