If I am going on vacation for an extended period during winter (it occasionally gets below freezing here), should I turn off water valve AND the gas water heater or just turn off the main water valve? I am seeing a lot of people advising to close the main water valve but leaving the gas water heater on "pilot" or "low". I am worried because what if a water line bursts and drains the water out of the water heater? Wouldn't it damage the water heater? Please advise. Thank you, RK.
Asked
Active
Viewed 2.3k times
3 Answers
2
Ideally..
Turn the power/gas off to the water heater.
Turn off the water to the building.
Remove the water from the entire building, including the water heater, toilet tanks and water supply lines.
Pour RV antifreeze into every waste trap, including the toilet bowls.
The building is now winterized and your safe even if the heat goes off. If the heat goes off and you haven't removed all the water, you will probably pay for it.
Charles
- 490
- 2
- 9
0
You should winterize the system. Drain and purge the pipes and water heater as well as add rv antifreeze " pink" to the lines. I pour a few cups in all drains. A warm water heater will not keep water in pipes warm without circulation and will cause pipes to burst if cold enough to freeze and expand the water sitting in the pipes.
Derek
- 75
- 6
0
some water heaters will burn the elements out if the water is off of corse this electric, If you turn the water off the safest thing to do is turn the gas valve to pilot then the burner cannot come on , and you dont have to worry about gas leask that althow are extreemly rare can happen. with the pilot burning that is not a concern,, this is what most land loards do when properties are unoccupied.saving $ also
Ed Beal
- 103,727
- 4
- 79
- 158