Printed from http://www.genoa.org/articles/article/waterprotectaway
on May 17, 2012 at 10:18am.

Protect Your Home While Away

Before You Leave:

• Shut off the water before the water meter and drain the system by opening faucets in the lowest level. Meters are designed to break if they freeze; following this step helps prevent flooding.
• Consult a plumber for a complete list of ideas to help you winterize your home. This should include removing water from toilets and properly shutting down water heaters and softeners. Care should be exercised when dealing with water heaters.
• Even in the summer months you are safer to shut off water in home as we have had residents report failed appliance hoses and fittings.
• Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it will be deactivated when you shut off the water.
• Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing and check for leaks even during summer months.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night (greater then 60^oF). By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• Contact the Billing Department at 800-881-4109 if you will be gone for the winter. Please provide an emergency contact number and if you wish you can change your billing address to your vacation home.
• Disconnect garden hoses and if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house or having the hose running while you are gone. We have had residents come home to a flooded yard and a large water bill from someone turning on an outside spigot!