Turn off water while house is empty?

[abenn]

My 1980's house will be empty for six weeks this winter and, due to its age and the fact that I've had to adjust and/or replace toilet cystern valves to stop overflows over the past few years, I'm considering turning off the water at the mains but leaving the heating on low.

I have a 2-year-old "British Gas 330" condensing boiler supplying radiotors and hot water, which is fed by a header tank in the loft. My domestic water supply is also via another tank in the loft -- not direct from the mains.

My question really is, how much water does the central heating system use, assuming no leaks? If I turn off the water, the heating system will have it's header tank full and so should last for six weeks, shouldn't it?

If it does empty the tank for some reason I'm confident that the boiler's control system will switch it off.

What are your views/advice, please?

 

[Diyisfun]

Why not drain down completly & turn water off at main stopcock

 

[tryitandsee]

It seems to be the same dilemma for everyone that goes away for long periods.

All things working well before you go,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,then everything goes wrong, strange, it always happens that way.

I took all precautions and left everything working, heating on low. The cold water tank ballcock was letting by, small drips, unbeknown to me, should have overflowed outside but didn't because some mug (me) had not attached the overflow pipe to the tank (all in place ready of course).

The damage from small amounts of water leaking is quite amazing.

 

[abenn]

Why not drain down completly & turn water off at main stopcock

I want to keep the heating running so that the house will be liveable when I get back

... I took all precautions and left everything working, heating on low. The cold water tank ballcock was letting by, small drips, unbeknown to me, should have overflowed outside but didn't because some mug (me) had not attached the overflow pipe to the tank (all in place ready of course).

The damage from small amounts of water leaking is quite amazing.

That's exactly my concern, though I'm confident the overlow pipe is attached But if we get a cold snap, the overflow could freeze up where it exits the building, and cause the tank to then overflow. I thought by turning the water off at the main (without draining anything down) I would minimise this risk.

Hence my question about the advisability of keeping the heating running without any mains supply to top up its tank.

 

[Terrywookfit]

It is not a problem to leave the heating on a low setting whilst away !!

Turning your main stop cock off is a wise precaution as any water damage that could occur is minimised!!

 

[hi-spec plumbing heating]

you must really have faith in your heating system.
if it was maintained fully you wouldn't get any problems.

 

[Diyisfun]

When you return, switch the heating on with a few hours the place will be warm. Go & do your shopping thats what we do

 

[Diyisfun]

When you return, switch the heating on with a few hours the place will be warm. Go & do your shopping thats what we do.
Its about peace of mind

 

[abenn]

It is not a problem to leave the heating on a low setting whilst away !!

Turning your main stop cock off is a wise precaution as any water damage that could occur is minimised!!

Location Antarctica I bet you don't leave your heating off while you're away! Seriously, that's my logic for turning off the water. I've left everything on in past absences, but never for as long as six weeks. But last time I was away for a weekend I came back to find my main loft tank overflowing. It's fixed now, but for a six weeks absence I'll be happier with the water turned off. I was just wondering if there's any good reason for NOT doing that

hi-spec: My heating is maintained regularly, which is why I'm confident enough to leave it running.

Diyisfun: Shopping is the last thing I want to do when we get back, so a nice warm house is a must -- instantly