robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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We shut Off Everything except the Alarm System.Drain the Whole House Water System back to the Pump , Suck the water out of the Toilets and replace with RV/Plumbing Antifreeze . Saran wrap the Toilets to prevent Evaporation of the AF . Put AF in all the sink traps and put in the stoppers.
We had to put in a New Water Heater last Spring , but it was 15 Years Old anyway so I don't think draining hurts them although it does say not to in the installation books.
Rob & Jean
98 Dutch Star Diesel Pusher ..92 Tracker 4X2
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onehorsehitcher
Donna Tx
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Joined: 04/06/2007
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You can blow out any house water lines with a small compressor and use serveral methods to prevent traps from freezing. Of course by pass your water softener so that any scale is diverted to an open line rather than plugging screens in the softener. After a few days you can open the softener and use soft water. We unplug electric appliances to prevent lightening damage during early spring thunderstorms.
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NanciL
Bakersville, NC, USA
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Joined: 03/24/2003
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Several points:
1. Your water heater should be drained at least once a year to get the sediment out. (instructions with mine stated that)
2. I am a snow bird and every year shut mine off and drain it.
I don't have to worry about it freezing, and I save on the electric bill
3. I learned the hard way about twenty years ago in another house.
We were gone for a week, and while we were gone, the water heater sprung a leak. It naturally drained the whole water heater, but then it just kept flowing until we returned and I shut the water off. It was in a closet off our first floor hall, and the entire hard wood flooring in the hall was ruined.
Now if I am leaving the house for more than a few days, I shut the water heater off and turn the water to it off, but I don't drain it for a short period)
It just makes sense to me to shut it off and drain it for the entire snow bird season - No worries!
Jack L
Jack & Nanci
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AlGreg
Northern NY, San Benito, TX
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Joined: 10/15/2007
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You are just asking about the water heater and are correct in leaving water to the heating system. I would leave the water tank full. We have a winter home in South Texas and leave it for 6 months. My thinking is that an empty damp inside of a water tank would be a breeding ground for bad stuff. When we return in the fall I run a hose from the water heater drain to my yard and turn on the water. I let it run for about 20 minutes. Our first year of opening the house in the fall, I didn't do this and just ran the smelley water down a sink and the house smelled for a a day or two.
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hottubkid
SCHAUMBURG,IL
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Joined: 12/29/2004
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I turn the heat to about fifty. Open up a low point drain and all sinks ects. I turn off the water heater and drain and turn off the water to the house.
hottubkid60193@yahoo.com
2004 SOUTHWIND 36E Tow 2003 CRV
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Retiredblade
Western, Pa
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Joined: 06/16/2003
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I got tired of my water heaters rusting through, draining the darn things, scraped it and got a tankless water heater, wished I had gotten one years ago. Gas bill went way down, all I do when I leave is turn the electric switch off and fresh water valve to it off.
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8ntw8tn
Southeast Iowa
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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I recently asked my plumber about this very issue as we, too, are preparing to leave for about three months. He recommended shutting off the gas and water, but leaving water in the system. He said it would be a good idea to open the faucets to relieve the pressure and then shut them off again before we leave. Sounds good to me.
'04.5 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad cab 4x4 SLT dually w/5.9 H.O. Cummins; PacBrake; Smarty Jr.; Raptor 100 lift pump; egt & tranny temp guages;rebuilt tranny;
'06 Carriage Cameo LXI F35CKQ w/MorRyde pinbox
Det 1 56th SOWg
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Cardinal Happy
Charles City, Ia.
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Joined: 01/17/2006
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If you just turn off hot water heater and don't drain it don't it stink when you reurn 3 or 4 months later? I'm afraid there would be stuff growing in it.
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