Airbnb/Short-Term Rental Plumbing: A 10-Item Turnover Checklist That Prevents Emergencies
High-use homes get treated like hotels but built like houses. Guests run back-to-back showers, crank disposals, toss “flushable” wipes, and leave hoses attached out back. Most host headaches (mid-stay clogs, mystery leaks, no-hot-water calls) are preventable with a tight turnover checklist your cleaning team can run in under 20 minutes—and a few low-cost upgrades that act like silent lifeguards.
Use this 10-item list to keep your rental online, your reviews clean, and your phone quiet. When something’s already going sideways, call A+ Drain Cleaning & Plumbing for Emergency Plumbing, or line up a seasonal tune with All Services and Contact.
The 10-Item Turnover Checklist (Print This)
1) Main Shutoff + Water Meter Photo
Why: In a leak, seconds matter and guests rarely know where to turn water off.
How: Label the main shutoff with a bright tag (“TWIST TO SHUT OFF WATER”). Snap a photo of the meter flow indicator during turnover (it should be still with all fixtures off). Spinning = hidden flow—investigate before the next check-in.
Pro tip: Put a laminated card on the fridge with a small map to the shutoff.
2) Toilets: Two-Point Test
Why: Running toilets blow up water bills and reviews.
How: Lift tank lids. Listen for hiss; add one drop of food coloring to the tank—color in bowl after 10 minutes = leaking flapper/valve.
Fix: Keep a bin of universal flappers and fill valves onsite; swap in 5 minutes.
3) Drains & Traps: Flow + Smell
Why: Hair, soap, and kitchen grease build up fast with guest turnover.
How: Run each sink/shower for 30–60 seconds. Water should sheet and spin, not pool. Add a cup of water to floor drains to reseal traps and kill odors.
Fix: If a shower stands, remove the strainer and clean the hair catcher. If multiple fixtures are slow or you hear gurgling, schedule jetting + camera before the next booking.
4) Garbage Disposal Reality Check
Why: Disposals take the blame for what’s really grease/peels/utensils.
How: Run cold water, flip the switch, listen for grind not hum. Shine a light—remove foreign objects with tongs (never hands).
Guest-proofing: Post a simple sign above the sink: “No peels, rice, coffee grounds, or grease.”
5) Water Heater Sanity Scan
Why: No hot water = instant 1-star.
How: Verify the power (electric breaker on) or gas (valve open, status light blinking). Check around the base for moisture and the TPR discharge pipe for drips.
Settings: Keep temps in a safe, consistent range; lock out tampering if your control allows.
If lukewarm: Sediment may be due—add a flush to your quarterly service.
6) Supply Lines & Angle Stops
Why: The cheapest parts cause the biggest floods.
How: Hand-feel toilet and faucet supplies for dampness; look for bulges or rust.
Upgrade: Replace rubber with braided stainless; tag any sticky angle stop for replacement.
7) Leak Sensors: Test Beeps, Swap Batteries
Why: Early alerts save floors and calendars.
Where: Under kitchen sink, behind each toilet, under the water heater, by the washer.
How: Press test; replace batteries. Open your app (if smart sensors) to confirm they report in.
8) Washer, Standpipe & Hoses
Why: Turnovers mean frequent laundry; standpipes overflow when lint/gel builds.
How: Inspect braided hoses, confirm standpipe isn’t taped shut (it needs air), and run a quick rinse to verify the standpipe handles discharge without backing up.
9) Outdoor Spigots & Hose Discipline
Why: “Frost-free” doesn’t mean hose-on in Idaho.
How: Disconnect hoses every turnover, let the spigot drain, and reinstall only if needed for the next guest. In winter, add insulated covers.
Note: If you see interior damp after using a spigot, the frost-free may be cracked—do not relist until checked.
10) Guest-Facing Binder: Simple, Visual, Multilingual
Why: Clear directions stop bad habits.
Include:
“What not to flush” (no wipes, hygiene products) with icons
“Disposal do’s and don’ts”
“Shutoff location in an emergency” + host number
Short hot-water note (“20–30 minutes to recover after back-to-back showers”)
Low-Cost Upgrades That Pay for Themselves
Whole-home smart shutoff (auto-closes on abnormal flow; app alerts).
PRV + expansion tank tune to stop relief-valve drips and fixture wear.
Hair catchers in every shower (buy multiples; swap each cleaning).
Enzyme maintenance for kitchen/laundry lines monthly—gentle, actually works.
Water-hammer arrestors at fast-closing valves (washer, ice maker).
Accessible cleanouts (clear the area, mark caps) so emergencies are fast to service.
Seasonal Tasks (Schedule on Your Calendar)
Spring:
Camera + jet if you had winter backups.
Irrigation/backflow test; walk the yard for soggy spots (service line leaks).
Heater flush and anode check if due.
Fall:
Disconnect hoses; verify spigot pitch and interior shutoffs.
Crawlspace/garage line insulation check; seal drafts.
Place spare flappers, fill valves, and supply lines in your host kit.
If a Guest Reports a Problem (Decision Tree)
No hot water
Ask heater type (tank/tankless).
Check breaker/gas status light.
For tank: wait 30–45 minutes between back-to-back showers; if still cold, dispatch A+.
Add link: Emergency Plumbing if water is leaking at the heater.
Toilet overflowing
Instruct guest to shut the supply valve at the base, then plunge.
If water rose in a shower or floor drain, stop all water use—that’s a mainline issue → call A+ now.
Sewer smell
Ask which room.
Pour 1 cup water into floor drains; verify P-trap at vanity isn’t dry.
If persistent or multiple rooms, schedule jetting/camera before next check-in.
Leak under sink
Tell guest to place a bowl and turn supply valves off.
Move essentials to another sink.
Dispatch same-day; swap supply, trap, or angle stop.
Cleaning Team Playbook (Train Once, Save Often)
Photos on file: Onboarding set of photos for every bathroom, kitchen, heater closet, and laundry with clear views of valves and hoses.
Red-flag list: Slow drains, recurring odors, damp cabinet bases, rust trails, or any sensor beep—text host immediately.
5 spares on site: Flappers, fill valves, braided toilet supply, hair catchers, disposal reset wrench.
What We Do on a Host Service Visit
Pressure & PRV check (recorded).
Water heater service (flush, TPR/expansion review).
Jet + camera main if there have been slowdowns; share video + map.
Supply/angle stop audit and swap any bad actors.
Sensor install/test and app setup if you want smart alerts.
Host binder review—we give you a one-page guest guide you can print.
Most homes are fully buttoned up in a single appointment.
FAQs
Do “flushable” wipes actually flush?
They move through the toilet but don’t break down like paper. In rentals, they’re the #1 clog culprit. Make the sign clear and provide a small trash can with lid.
How often should I jet the drains?
If your place hosts frequently or you’ve got trees over the line, plan annual jetting before peak season. Otherwise, camera/jet as needed based on symptoms.
Will a smart shutoff bother guests?
No—guests won’t notice. You’ll only get alerts for abnormal flow (e.g., a burst hose).
Can I ask the cleaner to test the main shutoff?
Have them locate and label it; test closing when the property is vacant so you don’t surprise a guest mid-shower.
Ready to host without the plumbing panic?
If you’re seeing repeat slow drains, heater drips, or you just want sensors and shutoffs set up right, we can handle it in one visit—then you (and your guests) sleep better.