Water Heaters - Water Heater - Drain it or Not?
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calelettus
07-18-08, 09:12 AM
We need to leave our house empty for about 3 months and I've got a few questions:
Should we turn off the supply to our electric water heater (after draining it of course) or should we leave it filled with water? I'm afraid of leaks and wonder if an empty tank is more likely to corrode than the full one. The heater is 10 years old and working fine. I've drained a few gallons every other month since new.
Also, should I just shut the water off to the whole house? Freezing isn't an issue - just want to avoid any possibility of leaks. Thanks.
Should we turn off the supply to our electric water heater (after draining it of course) or should we leave it filled with water? I'm afraid of leaks and wonder if an empty tank is more likely to corrode than the full one. The heater is 10 years old and working fine. I've drained a few gallons every other month since new.
Also, should I just shut the water off to the whole house? Freezing isn't an issue - just want to avoid any possibility of leaks. Thanks.
furd
07-19-08, 01:52 AM
If at all possible I would suggest that you get a house sitter for that time. There are agencies that screen people and the sitters usually pay a small amount to live in the house.
A vacant house is a magnet to vagrants, vandals, people looking for a place to have a wild party and also copper thieves. Your homeowner's insurance quite likely won't cover an unoccupied home.
IF you still want to leave the house unoccupied then turn off the power to the water heater and also turn off the main water supply to the entire house.
A vacant house is a magnet to vagrants, vandals, people looking for a place to have a wild party and also copper thieves. Your homeowner's insurance quite likely won't cover an unoccupied home.
IF you still want to leave the house unoccupied then turn off the power to the water heater and also turn off the main water supply to the entire house.
plumbingods
07-22-08, 06:12 PM
Furd has a few good pointers about leaving your home alone. If you trust a neighbor have them watch for anything suspicious. Also tell the post office to hold your mail until you return.
Draining of the water heater is completely up to you. I would definitely shut off the power to the tank so you are not paying for the water heater to maintain a minimum temperature while you are away. Draining the tank would be a good time to flush the tank out, but make sure to refill and purge the air from the tank before turning the power back on.
Also, shut off the main valve or the power for the main water supply. You could also drain off any pressure so you know a pipe would not spring a leak while away. Upon return, slowly open the main valve to refill the house and go to faucet and purge out any air. You may want to remove the aerators on the faucet spouts, so they do not fill up with dirt.
Draining of the water heater is completely up to you. I would definitely shut off the power to the tank so you are not paying for the water heater to maintain a minimum temperature while you are away. Draining the tank would be a good time to flush the tank out, but make sure to refill and purge the air from the tank before turning the power back on.
Also, shut off the main valve or the power for the main water supply. You could also drain off any pressure so you know a pipe would not spring a leak while away. Upon return, slowly open the main valve to refill the house and go to faucet and purge out any air. You may want to remove the aerators on the faucet spouts, so they do not fill up with dirt.