Advice & guides › Prevention & Maintenance

Should You Turn Off Your Water When Away?

By The FixDelivered Team · Updated 2026-07-08 · 6 min read

Planning a well-deserved holiday? While you’re dreaming of sandy beaches or mountain vistas, it’s easy to overlook practical home preparations. One crucial question often arises: should you turn the water off when you go away? For many UK homeowners, the answer is a resounding yes. Taking a few simple steps before you depart can save you from coming home to a plumbing disaster, protecting your property from costly water damage and giving you complete peace of mind.

Why Turn Off Your Water When Away?

Leaving your home unoccupied, even for a short period, increases the risk of undetected plumbing issues escalating into major problems. A burst pipe, a leaking appliance hose, or a faulty toilet cistern can cause extensive damage if left unchecked for days or weeks. Here’s why turning your main water supply off is a smart move:

Prevents Leaks and Flooding: The most significant benefit is preventing leaks. A small drip can become a flood, ruining carpets, flooring, furniture, and potentially affecting your neighbours' property if you live in a flat.
Minimises Burst Pipe Risk: In colder months, if your heating system fails or you turn it off completely, pipes can freeze and burst. Turning off the water supply and draining the system (or at least the taps) reduces the amount of water available to cause damage.
Insurance Implications: While not always a requirement, some home insurance policies may have clauses regarding unoccupied properties, especially concerning preventing damage. Turning off the water demonstrates due diligence. Always check your policy details.
Saves Water and Money: Even minor, unnoticed leaks can waste a significant amount of water over a week or two, leading to higher bills.

How to Turn Off Your Mains Water Supply

This is a straightforward DIY task for most homeowners. Knowing the location of your main stopcock is essential. If you’re unsure, check under your kitchen sink, in the downstairs toilet, or in a utility cupboard. Some properties may have an external stopcock, usually near your property boundary in a small inspection chamber.

Tools You Might Need:

A stopcock key or a sturdy adjustable spanner (for a stiff stopcock).
A torch (if your stopcock is in a dark spot).
A bucket or old towels (just in case of drips).

Step-by-Step Guide:

Locate Your Main Stopcock: As mentioned, this is usually under the kitchen sink, in a utility room, or near the front door.
Turn Off the Stopcock: Turn the stopcock handle clockwise until it is fully closed. Do not force it if it feels stuck; excessive force can damage older stopcocks.
Check for Water Flow: Once closed, open a cold tap (preferably one on the ground floor, like a kitchen tap) and let it run until the water stops flowing. This empties the remaining water from the pipes.
Flush Toilets: Flush all toilets to empty the cisterns.
Leave Taps Open (Optional but Recommended): Some people prefer to leave a cold tap slightly open (or fully open if you’ve drained the system) to relieve any pressure build-up and indicate that the water is off. Place a bucket underneath to catch any residual drips.

When to Call a Professional:

If your stopcock is old, seized, or difficult to turn, do not force it. Applying too much pressure can cause it to break, leading to an immediate and potentially severe leak. In such cases, it's best to call a qualified plumber. They have the tools and expertise to free a seized stopcock or replace it if necessary. If you need assistance, you can tell us your emergency and we can help you find a local plumber quickly.

What About Your Heating System?

Turning off your mains water supply will not affect your central heating system directly, as it operates on a closed loop. However, there are still considerations:

Boiler and Hot Water Cylinder: If you have a combi boiler, turning off the mains water means no hot water. If you have a conventional system with a hot water cylinder, the cylinder will retain its water.
Gas Safety: You should never attempt to drain or work on the internal components of a gas boiler or any gas appliance yourself. This must only be done by a Gas Safe registered plumber.
Frost Protection: During winter months, consider leaving your heating on a low setting (e.g., 10-12°C) with the thermostat set to 'frost protection' if available. This prevents pipes from freezing and bursting, even if the mains water is off. If you turn off your heating completely, the risk of frozen pipes increases.

Other Essential Checks Before You Go

Beyond the main stopcock, a few other checks can enhance your peace of mind:

Check Taps and Toilets: Ensure all taps are fully off and no toilets are running or dripping.
Appliance Hoses: Visually inspect washing machine, dishwasher, and fridge freezer hoses for any signs of wear or leaks. Consider turning off the isolation valves for these appliances if easily accessible.
Garden Taps: If you have an outdoor tap, ensure it's turned off and, in winter, consider isolating its supply from inside to prevent freezing.

What If You Have a Smart Home System?

Modern smart home technology offers additional layers of protection. Smart leak detectors can alert you via your phone if water is detected where it shouldn't be. Some advanced systems even integrate with smart stopcocks that can automatically shut off your water supply upon detecting a leak. These can be excellent investments for frequent travellers or those who want maximum security.

Insurance Considerations

It's vital to check your home insurance policy regarding unoccupied properties. Many policies require you to inform your insurer if your home will be empty for more than a certain period (often 30-60 days). Failure to do so could invalidate your cover. While turning off the water isn't always a policy requirement, it's a strong preventative measure that demonstrates you've taken reasonable steps to protect your property. In the event of a claim for water damage, insurers typically look favourably upon proactive prevention.

Returning Home: Turning Your Water Back On

When you return from your holiday, turning the water back on is just as simple as turning it off.

Close All Taps: Ensure all internal taps and toilet cisterns are closed before you turn the main stopcock back on. This prevents airlocks and sudden surges.
Slowly Open the Stopcock: Turn the main stopcock anti-clockwise, slowly, until it is fully open. You might hear the pipes refilling.
Check for Leaks: Listen and look for any immediate leaks around the stopcock itself or under sinks.
Bleed the System: Once the system is refilled, open the cold taps one by one, starting with the lowest tap in the house, to allow any trapped air to escape. Let them run until the water flows smoothly without spluttering. Repeat for hot taps.
Flush Toilets: Flush toilets to refill the cisterns.

Taking the small amount of time to properly prepare your home before you leave can make all the difference, ensuring your return is stress-free. Whether you’re away for a weekend or an extended break, knowing your home is protected from potential plumbing emergencies is invaluable.

If you experience any issues with your plumbing before, during, or after your trip, FixDelivered can help you find emergency plumbers near you quickly. Our platform connects you with qualified local professionals, and you can see how FixDelivered works to get a plumber to your door when you need one most.

Frequently asked questions

Is it really necessary to turn off the water when I go on holiday?

While not strictly mandatory for all trips, it's highly recommended, especially for longer holidays or during colder months. It significantly reduces the risk of costly water damage from leaks or burst pipes while your home is unoccupied.

Where is my main stopcock located?

Your main stopcock is usually found under the kitchen sink, in a downstairs toilet, a utility cupboard, or near your property's front door. Some homes also have an external stopcock located in a small chamber at the property boundary.

Should I turn off the gas as well before I leave?

Turning off the main gas supply is generally not necessary unless you have specific safety concerns or are leaving your home for a very extended period. Your central heating system, especially if set to frost protection, needs gas to operate. Never attempt to tamper with gas appliances or their supply pipes yourself; always call a Gas Safe registered engineer for any gas-related issues.

What should I do if my stopcock is stuck or won't turn?

If your stopcock is old, seized, or difficult to turn, do not force it. Applying excessive pressure can cause it to break, leading to an immediate and severe leak. In this situation, it's best to contact a qualified plumber who has the tools and expertise to safely free or replace a faulty stopcock.

Need a plumber now? Tell us your emergency and FixDelivered will find and confirm an available local plumber near you, usually within the hour.

Written by the FixDelivered Team. Reviewed by Rupert Lowe, Editor. Last updated 2026-07-08.