Prevent burst pipes?

worlds goodest teecher

I am wondering how to best avoid burst pipes in an empty house. Looks like there is a cold snap on the way. Advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Dave_D_Rave

Turn off the water would be the best thing to do.

Insurance wont cover empty house if it floods I believe there is a stipulation in the small print for this.

cobham

have heating run for few hours a couple of times a day

worlds goodest teecher

The current oil boiler needs replacing. I would prefer not running it. My thinking was to leave a tripping tap

Dave_D_Rave

Be careful of dripping tap if it's cold enough this coul eventually block.

Have seen this in the with overflow pipes in attic

endacl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121608994#Comment_121608994

Don’t. That’s a myth. Because physics.

blackbox

Turn off the water, drain the tank.

Then if a pipe bursts there will be no further damage.

monseiur

I used to look after a 'summer house' and always did as blackbox post no. 7 above says. House had electric heating so no rads etc. So turn off water outside house, at meter if possible. Run taps, flush toilets etc until attic tank is empty. The amount of water left in pipes & copper cylinder will be negligible so even if a pipe freezes & bursts the damage will be minor.

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121612143#Comment_121612143

Will doing that empty the copper cylinder?

monseiur

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121612311#Comment_121612311

I would guess there would be some water left in the cylinder but in the unlikely event that the cylinder, which is factory insulated, or connected pipes burst due to freezing - the water damage would be minimal in comparison to a tsunami if the mains was left on. There's no 'drain off' valve on the cylinder.

worlds goodest teecher

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121608850#Comment_121608850

TBH i don't wish to run the boiler as it is in need of replacing and I would rather not take the risk.