Going way for winter holiday - mains water/boiler advice All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[golfpunk]

I am off on a long winter break in Dec and Jan. As there won't be any need for water in the flat, to prevent frozen burst pipe issues, and to save money on unecessary heating, would it be recommended to turn off mains and boiler ? I have a Vaillant combi. No storage tanks. Is this procedure OK ?

1. Turn off mains stopcock,
2. Turn on all cold taps to drain and close taps.
3. Flush cistern and add salt
4. Turn off boiler

Do I need to do anything else at the combi boiler ( anything at pressure release valve ) ? Or anything at radiators ?

Also on my return, what is correct procedure to get the system back especially as its v. cold in Feb.

1. Turn on water mains
2. Turn on all tapes to until no air spluttering.
3. Add to fill loop in boiler to correct level
4. Bleed radiators if necessary
5. Turn on boiler and hope hot water and heating works..

Any advice and tips on this issue much appreciated.

[htg engineer]

1. Turn off mains stopcock,
2. Turn on all cold taps to drain and close taps.
3. Flush cistern and add salt
4. Turn off boiler

Ok -but what about the radiators, hot water and heating pipework ? they could freeze.

You're better off leaving all as is - and have heating on timed - coming on as you would if you were at home.

htg

[golfpunk]

So I can turn off cold feed, but leave boiler on so heating comes on via normal timer and thermostat at say 12-15C ?

[golfpunk]

1. Turn off mains stopcock,
2. Turn on all cold taps to drain and close taps.
3. Flush cistern and add salt
4. Turn off boiler

Ok -but what about the radiators, hot water and heating pipework ? they could freeze.

You're better off leaving all as is - and have heating on timed - coming on as you would if you were at home.

htg

OK so turn off cold mains, but leave boiler on with timer to keep heating on. Say thermostat at 5 to 10C would be fine ?

[htg engineer]

Don't turn cold water off, have heating on timed. Just for an hour or so 2-3 times per day, when temperatures are likely to fall say 8pm-9pm, midnight till 1am, 4am - 5am. If the flat is kept fairly warm even the mains cold water supply is unlikely to freeze.

The best way is to set the heating as you would have it if you were at home Dec-Jan time. You wouldn't turn the cold water off every day before going to work or every night before going to bed.

Any water pipes in the loft space should be insulated.

htg

[golfpunk]

Don't turn cold water off, have heating on timed. Just for an hour or so 2-3 times per day, when temperatures are likely to fall say 8pm-9pm, midnight till 1am, 4am - 5am. If the flat is kept fairly warm even the mains cold water supply is unlikely to freeze.

The best way is to set the heating as you would have it if you were at home Dec-Jan time. You wouldn't turn the cold water off every day before going to work or every night before going to bed.

Any water pipes in the loft space should be insulated.

htg

OK thanks. Its a ground floor flat so no loft. I was just thinking closing cold feed would remove any chance of a major non-stop flood totally should something unexpected happen.

[Cheesie1]

i would turn off mains water (as a precaution!) put htg on timed! then re establish cold supply on return. Not just about freezing, if on water meter and things go wrong with ie toilet (leak, syphon goes, just keeps filling, won't cause any damage if overflow ok, but costs money). I've learnt from experience.

[htg engineer]

'i would turn off mains water (as a precaution!) put htg on timed' -

ok but you could damage the boiler as if the hot water is lost from the plate heatex it will dry out - a very small amount of water is also dangerous as it can turn to steam and seriously damage boiler.

Do not leave heating to come on if water is turned off.

My advice would be to leave as if you were living there.

htg

[gregwilliams]

If you stop the cold water from the mains, there won't be any flow in the pipes, therefore it would be easier for them to freeze - BAD! Leave the boiler heating while there is no cold water coming - BAD! Set your heating to normal temp. Close the windows and doors, isolate any drafts, leave the boiler and cold water mains alone. That is basically it... You won't be shocked by your bills afterward... set your heating to around 20 - 21 - 22 C it will easily keep the temperature when there is no one home.