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View Full Version : Water main off, water heater vacation, leave recirc pump on winter?


BoinLV
Dec 16, 2009, 12:07 PM
Leaving Las Vegas house for 10 days in January - basically want to insure no pipe freeze (many in outside walls) without draining entire house. The house will remain heated to ~55Your Question Title:

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75 gal gas heater, unheated garage. Want to insure against outside wall pipes freezing, without draining entire house. Vacation setting should only be 60-70°F, and the recirc loop would effectively be closed - there shouldn't be any danger of evaporative or pressure loss of water, over 10 days, right? Don't want to trash water heater. Thanks in advance.

ballengerb1
Dec 16, 2009, 05:20 PM
Kind of new to this site I see. You tell us a great deal but not all we need. So is the water heater actually located in the garage and what temps will LV be seeing that time of the year. My understanding is that there are no months with average night time temperature at or below freezing.

speedball1
Dec 16, 2009, 07:01 PM
there shouldn't be any danger of evaporative or pressure loss of water, over 10 days, right? Don't want to trash water heater
Your water heater should be just fine. You can keep the recirculating system on if you wish but I don't believe it's necessary. Have a great vacation! Tom PS. We enjoyed temperatures in the 80's here in Florida today, see you out at the beacm!

BoinLV
Dec 16, 2009, 08:25 PM
Thanks, guys. Many don't realize @ 2500 ft elevation, temps here do descend to the 20's and teens at times (unusual, admittedly). The unheated garage probably wouldn't get below 40°F. Although virtually all of the terminal fixtures are supplied by pipes in outside walls, we'll keep the interior at ~ 60°F. I think I'll shut off the house (as well as outdoor) water, and disconnect power to the recirc pump. That would at least save a 75 gal leak, if a hot supply line burst while we're away.

Many thanks for your consideration and expertise. God, I love the web!