mtco wrote:

Suppose you are going away for 10 days, what should you do to the water
shutoff valves and the water heater in the house?


SNIP

People who don't live where it gets bitter cold may not
appreciate the danger of pipes freezing.

If you lose power and the heat goes out for 12-24 hrs
when it is 20 below zero, you can be pretty certain that
pipes will freeze. Maybe not *all* of them, just the
one that's most vulnerable.

Typical scenario where I live:
Pipe freezes on 3rd floor (OK, 2nd floor).
Pipe ruptures.
Thaws out or the ice plug pops out.
Water flows day and night, cascading down
the beautiful oak stairway and soaking all
the ceilings and all the new furniture, etc.

Kiss the house goodbye.

Even in a 1 floor slab house, freezing will
not only burst pipes and flood but toilet tanks
and bowls will go, water heater tank will burst,
all appliances with water connections will be
damaged.

And on and on.

The real fun begins when the adjuster arrives.

If you're going away, shut the Main water supply off.
At least that will avoid a big flood.
Beyond that are steps to drain piping and
winterize traps and bowls and tanks.

Pick your risk level and choose...

Jim