Things That Always Seem to Break While You’re on Vacation

You finally get away, and wouldn’t you know it—something breaks the minute you’re gone. It’s like your house knows you’re not there to deal with it. And if you’ve got animals, a garden, or someone house-sitting, that only adds to the mess.

Here are the things most likely to go wrong while you’re sipping coffee in a rental cabin hours away from home.

The Fridge

It can run for years without issue, but the second you’re gone, the motor hums weird, the power flickers, or it quits altogether. By the time someone notices, everything inside is ruined.

If you’re leaving town, toss anything that might stink if the fridge dies. A small cooler and an ice pack can go a long way if you’ve got someone checking in.

The AC

Nothing like coming home to a house that’s been baking at 95 degrees for three days straight. Air conditioners love to give out in the middle of a heat wave—and they won’t wait until you get back.

If your system is older or overdue for a filter change, it’s even more likely to conk out while you’re away. Schedule a tune-up before a big trip and set the thermostat to a safe-but-not-straining level.

The Water Heater

You’re not using hot water while you’re gone, so a leak or failure might go unnoticed for days. And depending on where it’s located, that can mean serious damage.

If your water heater is pushing past the 10-year mark, you might consider shutting off the water supply to the house before you leave. It’s a quick fix that can prevent a massive headache.

The Fence Gate

If you’ve got animals, this one’s a real pain. A latch breaks, a hinge loosens, or the wind blows it wide open—and now your dogs or livestock are who-knows-where.

Before a trip, walk the perimeter and double-check gates and latches. Reinforce anything that’s been giving you trouble. Don’t assume it’ll hold up while you’re gone.

The Toilet

All it takes is one small leak from the tank or a faulty valve, and suddenly you’ve got a slow flood creeping across the floor while you’re out of town. You won’t know until the smell or the water bill hits.

Turning off the water at the toilet shutoff valve can save you from a mess, especially in an older home. It takes two seconds and can prevent a whole lot of stress.

The Wi-Fi Router

This might seem small, but if you’ve got a smart thermostat, cameras, or any kind of remote monitoring set up, a dead router means you’re flying blind. No alerts, no footage, no connection.

Power surges or cheap hardware are usually to blame. If it’s more than a few years old, consider replacing it. And definitely plug it into a surge protector before your next trip.

The Freezer

Standalone freezers are often the last thing people check. But when they fail, it’s not subtle. You’ll come home to a puddle, a smell, and a whole lot of ruined food.

If yours doesn’t have an alarm system, you can toss a cup of frozen water with a coin on top in the freezer. If the coin sinks while you’re gone, you know the power went out and things thawed.

The Washing Machine

Even when it’s turned off, a washing machine can cause problems while you’re away. A leaky hose or faulty shutoff can flood a laundry room fast—especially in newer homes where the washer’s on the second floor.

Steel braided hoses can help, and so can turning off the water valves before you leave. It’s one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner” kind of habits.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.