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hereforthebeers t1_iu50mkv wrote

It would be much cheaper and better to get a few wifi connected water alarms. If a pipe bursts and someone isn't coming for two weeks your house will be destroyed by the time they come.

I'd just drain the system and put a few next to the water main.

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Cabbagefolk OP t1_iu53b8o wrote

Is it easy to shut off the main and to drain it?

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AlleghenyCityHolding t1_iu54me5 wrote

https://www.zircon.com/tools/leak-alert-wifi/

Keep your house set to at least 58 degrees.

If you want to go overboard:

https://www.1tomplumber.com/how-winterize-vacant-house/

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Cabbagefolk OP t1_iu55k40 wrote

Thank you so much for this, the second option seems tedious!!

This particular alarm probably won’t help in detecting freeze before bursting. Right? :/ … 😣

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AlleghenyCityHolding t1_iu55wh5 wrote

This is why you get wifi thermostat/sensors

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Cabbagefolk OP t1_iu57u4y wrote

Ahhh, so if the house is kept warm enough, the pipes won’t freeze even if you don’t use it??

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AlleghenyCityHolding t1_iu5to0g wrote

Yes...

Freezing happens at 32/0 degrees. Depending on insulation, without heat that is what happens to the water inside the pipes.

You combat this via 2 ways: Heating the inside of the house to keep the temperature of the water above freezing.

Or-

Draining the water of the house and purging the lines and keeping the traps wet.

Hunting cabins normally just turn off the water/breaker, drain the pipes at the closest to the cutoff, pour antifreeze in the drains/toilets and saran wrap them shut to prevent evaporation.

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Cabbagefolk OP t1_iu5v845 wrote

Wow, the more you know. I really don’t want to drain everything if I don’t have to - but that’s honestly sounding like the best option so far since i don’t really know anyone out in PA. I’ll be moving there May-June and I’m assuming Dec - March will be pretty frigid

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happyjazzycook t1_iu59xg5 wrote

Unless there is a storm, the power goes out and the heat doesn't kick on 😑

Don't you have a friend or neighbor who could stop by just to walk through every so often and check on things? Give this person a list of what to look for. And, when you are away, keep an eye on the weather and call when there is a snow/ ice storm or another weather event. If you see something concerning, call this person to check in.

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Cabbagefolk OP t1_iu5cprh wrote

I wish I did, but I don’t have any friends in Pittsburgh 🥹 and am new to the area.

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