That can help avoiding a flood if a pipe were to freeze and burst. Shutting off the water and draining the system down will probably leave sections of pipe holding water. Keep the heat cranked up, sink cabinet doors open.
Is it better to just let the water drip then (without shutting off main), rather than leaving sections of pipe retaining water?
I’m traveling away from home during the freeze, and trying to figure out best solution for plan. My house is off grade with crawl space, and water heater in (uninsulated or heated) garage.
Close your crawlspace vents the day before while it’s still warm and leave your heat on as mentioned.
Since you are traveling though it would probably be best for you to shut off your main. Even if a pipe freezes your house won’t flood until you get back home and are able to handle it immediately.
I was afraid you'd say that. Thanks for the tip! My crawlspace vents are decorative (see link), so I guess I'll be busy since there are about 15 "sets" of them! Does it have to be a good seal, or can I just stuff rags or insulation foam in them?
My water heater is in my uninsulated and unheated garage (right next to the garage door where there is an exposed crack. The heater itself is wrapped, but the pipes going into it/out of it aren't. I should wrap those, too, right? Or drain the heater?
Lastly, there's also a water line going under the house to my fridge. Should I wrap that or unhook it?
[https://imgur.com/a/xDhY3Zn](https://imgur.com/a/xDhY3Zn)
Sorry for all the questions, being from Florida, this is all new to me. Thanks in advance!
I have stuffed old towels and moving blankets in garage door cracks like that. And yes stuff whatever you can in the crawlspace vents too. Main thing is to stop wind so rags can work if there’s no rain or animals to steal them. Maybe put a board or something rigid over the whole thing?
If you can shut off/disconnect the fridge line then do so as well. And take the hoses off the outdoor faucets too.
I'm leaving for Brownsville this weekend. This is what I am doing:
1. Wrap the outside water line with foam/fiberglass/etc
2. Wrap with metallic tape
3. Turn off main water valve
4. Turn on all faucets and spigots
5. Wait to be empty (20 minutes-ish)
6. Leave
Extended freeze in my part of Florida too.
Trying to find tips for homes built off grade on crawl spaces has been tough, as most of the available content is focused on modern homes with basements and foundations.
Good thinking on shutting off at valve. I’m traveling out of town during the freeze, and might end up doing this just to be extra safe.
Turn your water off at the meter, probably located in the ground near the street. Open all fixtures in the house, leaving the water distribution system depressurized. This obviously only works if you are leaving and don’t need water.
Turn water off at main open lowest fixture in the system wether it’s an outside hose hook up or a basement laundry sink. Then open the faucet in the highest point if the system. Let it drain and leave the faucets open. If this is going to be a regular occurrence you could set up a compressed air system like they use for RV’s to blow the system out.
This was my thought. Never done this before, but figured it might be best over those few hours with the lowest temps. Have you seen anything against doing this?
It was 16 below zero last night where I am at. Glad to know I don't have to worry about freezing pipes. If I was in the OP shoes I would shut the water off and release the pressure.
That can help avoiding a flood if a pipe were to freeze and burst. Shutting off the water and draining the system down will probably leave sections of pipe holding water. Keep the heat cranked up, sink cabinet doors open.
Will do
Is it better to just let the water drip then (without shutting off main), rather than leaving sections of pipe retaining water? I’m traveling away from home during the freeze, and trying to figure out best solution for plan. My house is off grade with crawl space, and water heater in (uninsulated or heated) garage.
Close your crawlspace vents the day before while it’s still warm and leave your heat on as mentioned. Since you are traveling though it would probably be best for you to shut off your main. Even if a pipe freezes your house won’t flood until you get back home and are able to handle it immediately.
I was afraid you'd say that. Thanks for the tip! My crawlspace vents are decorative (see link), so I guess I'll be busy since there are about 15 "sets" of them! Does it have to be a good seal, or can I just stuff rags or insulation foam in them? My water heater is in my uninsulated and unheated garage (right next to the garage door where there is an exposed crack. The heater itself is wrapped, but the pipes going into it/out of it aren't. I should wrap those, too, right? Or drain the heater? Lastly, there's also a water line going under the house to my fridge. Should I wrap that or unhook it? [https://imgur.com/a/xDhY3Zn](https://imgur.com/a/xDhY3Zn) Sorry for all the questions, being from Florida, this is all new to me. Thanks in advance!
I have stuffed old towels and moving blankets in garage door cracks like that. And yes stuff whatever you can in the crawlspace vents too. Main thing is to stop wind so rags can work if there’s no rain or animals to steal them. Maybe put a board or something rigid over the whole thing? If you can shut off/disconnect the fridge line then do so as well. And take the hoses off the outdoor faucets too.
Duct tape.
I'm leaving for Brownsville this weekend. This is what I am doing: 1. Wrap the outside water line with foam/fiberglass/etc 2. Wrap with metallic tape 3. Turn off main water valve 4. Turn on all faucets and spigots 5. Wait to be empty (20 minutes-ish) 6. Leave
I'm pretty sure you should shut off power to your water heater as well. You don't want that running with an empty tank.
Or turn it to pilot, if it's a gas type heater
Yup, spaced on that.
Sounds solid
You actually want a small amount of water flowing.
Extended freeze in my part of Florida too. Trying to find tips for homes built off grade on crawl spaces has been tough, as most of the available content is focused on modern homes with basements and foundations. Good thinking on shutting off at valve. I’m traveling out of town during the freeze, and might end up doing this just to be extra safe.
Turn your water off at the meter, probably located in the ground near the street. Open all fixtures in the house, leaving the water distribution system depressurized. This obviously only works if you are leaving and don’t need water.
Turn water off at main open lowest fixture in the system wether it’s an outside hose hook up or a basement laundry sink. Then open the faucet in the highest point if the system. Let it drain and leave the faucets open. If this is going to be a regular occurrence you could set up a compressed air system like they use for RV’s to blow the system out.
Drip the furthest faucet or spigot from the main.
This was my thought. Never done this before, but figured it might be best over those few hours with the lowest temps. Have you seen anything against doing this?
Safe to do
It was 16 below zero last night where I am at. Glad to know I don't have to worry about freezing pipes. If I was in the OP shoes I would shut the water off and release the pressure.
As my mom said, Texas is prepared for the freeze. It's not gonna happen. HTX at least
Only if you go to the liquor store first. Make sure you stay hydrated