Quick question about water pipes over winter

[catkins79]

Hi,

We're going away over Christmas and are wondering if we should turn off our water.

Is there any potential hazard in turning off the water at the mains? We plan to turn the hot water off but will be running the heating for a little each day. If it's relevant, we have a bosch Greenstar boiler and hot water cylinder.

Thanks!

Catkins

 

[JohnD]

you have a hot water cylinder. You may have a cold water tank in the loft.

In which case, turn off the water at the main stopcock (because you may get a burst pipe, especially in the loft)

turn on an upstairs bathroom basin tap until the water slows to a dribble.

then turn on the kitchen cold tap (which will drain water out of the supply pipe going to the loft) and leave it open

The tank will not freeze, but if a pipe does, you might get 50 gallons of water from the tank gush out of the burst, even if you have turned off the main.

Set your heating to 12C, continuous. It will use very little gas, and will keep the heated parts of the house dry and frost free.

If the cylinder is a modern one, and well-insulated, it won't matter if you leave the HW timing as usual. There is very little heat loss, and what there is will contribute to warming the house.

I have had loft pipes burst in two houses, when away during winter. There is less spare heat leaking up through the loft insulation, and the taps are not run so there is no movement of water in the pipes, so they just get colder and colder, even if insulated.

 

[catkins79]

Thanks JohnD!

That's really helpful. Should I leave the upstairs basin tap on too?


C

 

[JohnD]

don't think so

the kitchen cold tap will help empty the pipes going upstairs, and will indicate if the stopcock is not securely off.

remember you can't flush WCs more than once after the water is off as the cisterns won't refill.