water draining

Anon125 · Oct 14, 2009

Hi
we have a 1650 sqft one level house.
two bathrooms and 3 outside taps
when we go away on a vacation (snowbirds) the insurance company says we have to turn off the water and turn on the taps/faucets to drain the system.
any idea how long that takes? an hour or several hours.?
and will the water tank drain or will a vaccuum at the top prevent the water draining.
your expert advise is very much appreciated.
thanks

Cass · Oct 14, 2009

If the house will not be heated and you are in an area that freezes you need to have the home winterized by someone who does it on a regular basis...

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Gary Swart · Oct 14, 2009

I assume you in an area that will freeze in the winter, so you will have to do more than just turn on faucets. Low places in pipes will not drain by gravity. The pipes will have to be blown out with compressed air. The water heater will drain by gravity, but only if there is a hot water faucet open that will allow air into the system. I would suggest you contact a plumber to plumb in a place for an compressed air line to be attached. Then you can have a yard service blown the lines. In addition, all toilet tanks must be flushed until dry, and all P-traps must either removed or filled with RV antifreeze. This includes toilets.

Anon125 · Oct 14, 2009

The heating system - gas furnace - will remain on!
thanks all

Jadnashua · Oct 14, 2009

Make sure to turn the WH fuel off first! If it is gas, turn the gas valve to it off. If it is electric, turn the circuit breaker off. Then you can drain it. make sure to turn the inlet water valve off too.

Anon125 · Oct 15, 2009

jadnashua said:
Make sure to turn the WH fuel off first! If it is gas, turn the gas valve to it off. If it is electric, turn the circuit breaker off. Then you can drain it. make sure to turn the inlet water valve off too.

GOOD POINT! turn of the gas on the WH first!
as for the inlet water. we will be turning off the water for the whole house first.
so we wondered how air would get into the WH to let the water out when i turn on the kitchen and all other taps.
thanks

JohnjH2o1 · Oct 15, 2009

anon125 said:
The heating system - gas furnace - will remain on!
thanks all

If the heating system remains on and your turning off the water & the gas to the water heater whats the point in draining the water heater? Just open a outside faucet to relieve the pressure and be on your way.

John

Anon125 · Oct 15, 2009

johnjh2o1 said:
If the heating system remains on and your turning off the water & the gas to the water heater whats the point in draining the water heater? Just open a outside faucet to relieve the pressure and be on your way.

John

I wish you wrote the rules for insurance companies!

SteveW · Oct 15, 2009

johnjh2o1 said:
If the heating system remains on and your turning off the water & the gas to the water heater whats the point in draining the water heater? Just open a outside faucet to relieve the pressure and be on your way.

John

Probably don't want a tank sitting full of stagnant water all winter.

hj · Oct 17, 2009

tank

Without water in the tank, it will be filled with moist air, AND the anode rod corrosion prevention will NOT function. Therefore when you refill the tank you may have "red" water because the tank has rusted. If so, you will probably ALWAYS have it until the tank is replaced.

water draining

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