My furnace stopped working yesterday morning. After 2 service guys came, it seems to be worse! There is another one coming sometime this morning, but it could be later in the afternoon until the heat actually comes on. Its 3 degrees outside, and this morning the temperature was down to 55 degrees in the house. Should I be shutting my water off or anything? The last thing I need is bursting pipes...
Thanks!
2007-12-07 01:53:59 · 6 answers · asked by Laura 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
What you want to do is leave the water running at a little more than a trickle in the furthest sink from your water supply .This will ensure that the pipes will not freeze,but make sure the water stays running.The only way to shut the water off you must make sure thier is no water left in the pipes at all.I live in upper Michigan where our temps are well below zero most nights.
2007-12-07 02:08:06 · answer #1 · answered by JackieG 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just shutting the water off will not prevent busting pipes. It will prevent a flood in your house though. To prevent the pipes from bursting, you'll need to shut off the water and DRAIN them. This can be tricky sometimes but you should be able to get 90% of the water out by shutting off the water at the main and opening ALL of your faucets. This includes outside spigots, sinks, showers and tubs. You'll be amazed at how much water is in your pipes. Don't worry about draining your water heater - there is enough thermal mass in there and insulation around it that it would take weeks to freeze.
Do not be mistaken to believe that just because your thermostat says 55 degrees that it is 55 everywhere in the house. Basements (where much of your plumbing) are usually much cooler than the rest of the house and in closed cabinets near outside walls are frequently much cooler too. Be sure to open cabinet doors under the sinks.
If it looks like it will be more than a couple days before your furnace is back to working, you'll need to get some RV antifreeze for your toilets and sink traps. Flush the toilets to get as much water out as possible and then pour the antifreeze in both the bowl and the tank. Then pour about a cup down each sink.
2007-12-07 02:20:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the two maintenance men who've commented. Just crack one or two faucets a bit and let them dribble. That pulls warmer water out of the ground into your house.
If you shut the water off then you have to drain the pipes or they'll freeze for sure. And it can be very difficult to get all the water out of the pipes.
2007-12-07 04:39:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're nowhere near freezing temperatures yet. You need not shut the water off for the inside of the house.
However, if it drops below freezing in your area you will want to shut off the water to your outdoor taps, and open them to release any water inside.
Next spring shut off the taps, and open the water back up.
2007-12-07 01:57:31 · answer #4 · answered by Chris O 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
close foundation vents,make sure no outside air gets in,you have to drain your pipes for turning your water off to be effective
2007-12-07 02:43:59 · answer #5 · answered by tom the plumber 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
open a valve let it run or it will freeze up, let it trickle abot a pencile lead size, in all facuets,
2007-12-07 02:09:53 · answer #6 · answered by William B 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋