DIY guideAway from home

Leaving in winter: heat on, water off, someone checks

Before you leave a home empty in the cold: keep the heat low but on, turn the water off at the main, and line up someone to check on it.

8 steps

Tap a step to watch it again.

Set the thermostat to about 55°F (13°C) so the pipes stay warm. Never turn the heat off.
If the thermostat runs on batteries, put in new ones so it can't die while you're away.
Turn the main water valve off, all the way, so a burst pipe can't flood the house.
Open the lowest tap in the house and let the water in the pipes run out.
Set the water heater to vacation, or its lowest setting.
Ask someone to look inside every few days, and check what your insurer asks for while you're away.
Write down where the main water valve and the thermostat are, and how to reach you.
If the heat is off or there's water on the floor, the person checking calls you and asks Handyman for a pro.

Handyman says: No heat or a leak? I'll find a pro.

Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.