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How far to drain water system in cold? Mamba 01-23-2008
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Posted by Mamba on January 23, 2008, 5:26 pm
I have a remote cabin in WA state, which I visit infrequently in the winter.

When I know it's going to be cold (below freezing for several days), I
"drain" the water system and turn off the well pump/pressure tank. By
draining, I mean I ensure all the water is out of the pipes in the main
cabin, and also partially drain the pressure tank and hot water tank (in a
basement under the main cabin) as well.

My thinking is that completely draining the two basement tanks is safer, but
it takes long enough that instead I have been draining 5-10 gallons out of
each to allow for expansion if the water freezes up. Is this sufficient to
prevent the freezing from rupturing the units or doing some other permanent
damage? The pressure tank is about 50 gallons capacity, the water heater is
30.

Tnx



Posted by marson on January 23, 2008, 7:03 pm
> I have a remote cabin in WA state, which I visit infrequently in the winter.
>
> When I know it's going to be cold (below freezing for several days), I
> "drain" the water system and turn off the well pump/pressure tank. By
> draining, I mean I ensure all the water is out of the pipes in the main
> cabin, and also partially drain the pressure tank and hot water tank (in a
> basement under the main cabin) as well.
>
> My thinking is that completely draining the two basement tanks is safer, but
> it takes long enough that instead I have been draining 5-10 gallons out of
> each to allow for expansion if the water freezes up. Is this sufficient to
> prevent the freezing from rupturing the units or doing some other permanent
> damage? The pressure tank is about 50 gallons capacity, the water heater is
> 30.
>
> Tnx

It depends on how cold it is going to get. If it is just below
freezing for a few days, then your plan is probably OK. However, if
it gets cold enough to freeze your water heater solid, then you are
running the risk of ruining things.

Posted by ransley on January 23, 2008, 8:41 pm
>
>
>
>
>
> > I have a remote cabin in WA state, which I visit infrequently in the win=
ter.
>
> > When I know it's going to be cold (below freezing for several days), I
> > "drain" the water system and turn off the well pump/pressure tank. =A0By=

> > draining, I mean I ensure all the water is out of the pipes in the main
> > cabin, and also partially drain the pressure tank and hot water tank (in=
a
> > basement under the main cabin) as well.
>
> > My thinking is that completely draining the two basement tanks is safer,=
but
> > it takes long enough that instead I have been draining 5-10 gallons out =
of
> > each to allow for expansion if the water freezes up. =A0Is this sufficie=
nt to
> > prevent the freezing from rupturing the units or doing some other perman=
ent
> > damage? =A0The pressure tank is about 50 gallons capacity, the water hea=
ter is
> > 30.
>
> > Tnx
>
> It depends on how cold it is going to get. =A0If it is just below
> freezing for a few days, then your plan is probably OK. =A0However, if
> it gets cold enough to freeze your water heater solid, then you are
> running the risk of ruining things.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Water freezes,then it expands, drain the tanks.

Posted by HeyBub on January 23, 2008, 9:52 pm
ransley wrote:
>
> Water freezes,then it expands, drain the tanks.

Slight correction: water expands, then it freezes. As the temperature drops,
water shrinks until it reaches its maximum density at 3.7C, then expands
until it reaches 0C. Then some of it freezes. As more heat is removed more
of the water becomes ice. The water and ice combination do not drop below 0C
until all of the water turns to ice.



Posted by C & E on January 23, 2008, 8:44 pm
>> I have a remote cabin in WA state, which I visit infrequently in the
>> winter.
>>
>> When I know it's going to be cold (below freezing for several days), I
>> "drain" the water system and turn off the well pump/pressure tank. By
>> draining, I mean I ensure all the water is out of the pipes in the main
>> cabin, and also partially drain the pressure tank and hot water tank (in
>> a
>> basement under the main cabin) as well.
>>
>> My thinking is that completely draining the two basement tanks is safer,
>> but it takes long enough that instead I have been draining 5-10 gallons
>> out of
>> each to allow for expansion if the water freezes up. Is this sufficient
>> to prevent the freezing from rupturing the units or doing some other
>> permanent damage? The pressure tank is about 50 gallons capacity, the
>> water heater is 30.
>>
>> Tnx
>
> It depends on how cold it is going to get. If it is just below freezing
> for a few days, then your plan is probably OK. However, if it gets cold
> enough to freeze your water heater solid, then you are running the risk of
> ruining things.

A long term - one week - hard freeze, like in the low to mid 20's, is going
to cost you a couple of tanks. You have to remember that the expansion will
go upward somewhat but as soon as the surface of the water freezes the
upward movement reduces and expansion equalizes and horizontal expansion
catches up with the vertical - I'm rambling. Sorry. Why not leave the
water heater on and wrap the expansion tank in heat tape and insulate it.
You can buy heat cable at a harware store for such applications. Forget the
plastic wrapped, ten footers. This stuff is bought by the foot and a
controller is purchased and attached to the end. It sure is a PITA, isn't
it!? I have the same issues and I do what I listed above. Fortunately, my
espansion tank is below ground, insulated and only 30 gallons. Fifty is
HUGE !!!



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