2006-07-21 03:38:09 · 12 answers · asked by tattoogirl333 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
RV anti freeze if you are trying to winterize the house, mineral oil if you are trying to maintain the water seal. The mineral oil will last for quite a while. Hope it helps =:)
2006-07-21 12:48:33 · answer #1 · answered by etcher1 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
you can not stop evaporation
what you can do is have a friend go in the house once a month and run water in all the fixtures...if your toilet is a problem so are your sinks , tubs ,showers and if you have them, floor drains
if the water on the property is turned off your friend can use a bucket of water and pour about 1/2 gallon in the toilet bowl and a pint in each sink or drain
if you have no friend to do this a house sitter might be for you.... the price for a sitter varies with length of stay or service.. for what you need it might be cheap enough to justify the expense
lastly if the water of the property is on and the only thing you are concerned about is you toilets.... leave the tank lid off of your toilet and the seat to the toilet closed... that way the tank water will evaporate faster than the water in the bowl and turn on automatically hence refilling the bowl and the tank
if you chose this option you might want to increase the amount of home owners insurance ...particularly flood insurance
if no one is home for days, weeks , months and there is a failure in your plumbings system it can be ,to say the least, DEVASTATING
I hope this helps
2006-07-21 11:15:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really want the bowl to have water in it so the seal between the toilet and the sewer system (septic tank) is maintained.
I think the idea of a layer of mineral oil on the surface of the water is an excellent idea. It is non-toxic and effective at keeping the water from evaporating.
2006-07-21 11:17:54 · answer #3 · answered by oil field trash 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course the problem is when there is no water in the bowl the septic system vents through the toilet and other drain traps in the home. What we have found to work best is a non-toxic auto antifreeze. It doesn't take much and it stays. We tried RV antifreeze but it evaporates faster than water.
2006-07-21 11:14:47 · answer #4 · answered by dfiler2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cover the upper bowl with plastic wrap and put the lid down. When the water evaporates it will collect on the plastic wrap then rain back into the bowl.
2006-07-21 10:45:04 · answer #5 · answered by Overt Operative 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pour oil on top of the water so that it forms a seal against evaporation. You can buy mineral oil at the food market (clear safe and nearly odorless).
2006-07-21 10:45:46 · answer #6 · answered by fata minerva 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best to empty it out after cleaning the bowl. You do that by turning off the water, then flushing... and then use a small cup to bail out whatever's left.
Be sure and turn the water back on, and let the tank fill, when you come back...
2006-07-21 10:43:53 · answer #7 · answered by dcnblues 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is to drain the toilet before you leave and this will keep you from getting that brown ring in the bowl.
2006-07-21 10:42:29 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Texas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn the water off then flush. Leave the bowl empty.
2006-07-21 10:41:51 · answer #9 · answered by catnap 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should turn the water off for long periods of time when you are away.
2006-07-21 10:58:55 · answer #10 · answered by eugene65ca 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋