Do you switch off water main when going for long winter vacations? (Seattle: house, refrigerator)

[craig9823754]

Hello,

We are planning to go on an extended vacation this December (1+ month). We are new to PNW/Everett and previously have only lived in areas with mild winters.

Will shutting off water main cause any damage to pipes in winter? I am worried that if there is any water leak or pipe burst then there wouldn't be anyone at home for a long time. What are some of the good practices when traveling out of home in winter? Is it acceptable to set the thermostat to 55 degrees?

Thanks.

[rjshae]

Where I live they usually recommend we let the water drip in case of freezing temperatures. I'm not sure how effective that is though.

[leastprime]

What are your pipes?
Where are your pipes?

Generally, I'd let keep the water on and have a neighbor shut off the water in a hard freeze.
If you have a clothes washer and a dish washer, I closed those values.
Put a wood log in the toilet and toilet tank.

With today's electronics, I'd put a master water value that is on a timer or Alexa. Or a online weather station-thermometer.

[craig9823754]

Originally Posted by leastprime

What are your pipes?
Where are your pipes?

Generally, I'd let keep the water on and have a neighbor shut off the water in a hard freeze.
If you have a clothes washer and a dish washer, I closed those values.
Put a wood log in the toilet and toilet tank.

With today's electronics, I'd put a master water value that is on a timer or Alexa. Or a online weather station-thermometer.

My pipes are copper and are in the crawl space. My worry is pipes freezing if there is water in the pipe.

If you don't mind me asking, why would you recommend leaving the water main on? Is there any disadvantage to closing the main?

Thanks.

[leastprime]

Originally Posted by craig9823754

My pipes are copper and are in the crawl space. My worry is pipes freezing if there is water in the pipe.

If you don't mind me asking, why would you recommend leaving the water main on? Is there any disadvantage to closing the main?

Thanks.

oxidation of copper and you will eventually get a pinhole.
rust in iron-steel pipes.
PVC not too resilient.
I don't know about the resilience of PEX pipe.

Seal off crawl space. My experience is north Oregon Coast and mid Valley Oregon . Hard freeze maybe 1 per 50 years at the coast and 1 in 20 in the Valley. With today's technology its pretty simple to monitor weather and if your permanent neighbors will oblige to shutting off main and open lowest outdoor faucet. Put some antifreeze or auto windshield fluid (cheap) in toilet, tank, and drain traps.

Visit more often. Cold weather typically at mid month and end of month. Late Dec to March.

[StealthRabbit]

Block crawlspace vents near pipes and sinks
Open cabinet doors (under sinks)
Shut off main water and power / gas to water heaters

Open all faucet valves

use RV water system anti freeze in toilets and traps (flush toilet 2x with anti freeze to get the antifreeze though out the system.)

Leave heat at 50f-55f to circulate the air

Have someone come into home 1x / week to check everything out.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by craig9823754

Hello,

We are planning to go on an extended vacation this December (1+ month). We are new to PNW/Everett and previously have only lived in areas with mild winters.

Will shutting off water main cause any damage to pipes in winter? I am worried that if there is any water leak or pipe burst then there wouldn't be anyone at home for a long time. What are some of the good practices when traveling out of home in winter? Is it acceptable to set the thermostat to 55 degrees?

Thanks.

You still live in a place with mild winters. It’s quite likely the temperature won’t dip below freezing long enough, if at all, to be concerned about freezing pipes, especially with El Niño.
PNW is expected to be warmer than usual this winter.
Setting your heat at 55F would be a good idea.

[Hemlock140]

We have been in Sammamish 30 years now, and we are at 600' elevation, colder than what Everett gets. It's been as low as 9F at times for a few days, and we have never had any issues with frozen pipes. I would just put insulated covers over the outside faucets, and leave the furnace on inside set to about 55.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by craig9823754

Hello,

We are planning to go on an extended vacation this December (1+ month). We are new to PNW/Everett and previously have only lived in areas with mild winters.

Will shutting off water main cause any damage to pipes in winter? I am worried that if there is any water leak or pipe burst then there wouldn't be anyone at home for a long time. What are some of the good practices when traveling out of home in winter? Is it acceptable to set the thermostat to 55 degrees?

Thanks.

I've taken a 1-mo. vaca in winter, in the north Seattle area, OP. You need to leave the heat on low, so none of the pipes inside the house will burst. I'd also advise insulating your pipes that are underneath the house, too. You can get wrap-around insulating material at any home supply store. Some people say, it's not necessary in the greater Seattle area, but you never know if there will be an unusual cold snap with a week of snow on the ground (it does happen), or even 3 days of snow on the ground.

If you don't leave the heat on in the house, the pipes under the house will freeze for sure. And even if you do leave the heat on, they might anyway, depending on conditions.

Play it safe. Take all precautions. Have a friend look in on your place from time to time, just in case. Better to be safe than sorry. Don't forget to insulate the outdoor faucets as well. You can buy an insulating "sock" that ties shut, from online vendors. Very handy. Some people recommend draining your outdoor faucets first.

[fy10fyr]

Shutting off the water shouldn't cause damage to the pipes, but if you were concerned you could just open all the faucets after you turn off the water and drain them.

Even if it's not cold-weather season, it's not a bad idea to shut off the water to your house when you're going to be gone for an extended period. The hoses that supply your toilets, washing machine,and refrigerator ice maker aren't indestructible, are always pressurized, and will eventually fail.

Your refrigerator water line can leak 700-1000+ gallons in 24 hrs.
Toilet line 3-4000 gallons
Washing machine up to 12,000 gallons.

I turn my main off if we're going to be gone more than a few days. it's not difficult and there's no down side.