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ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: cvcman Ok, I have added or will be this week a drain pan under my washer, I have changed my main shutoff to a ball valve.So...next time we go on vacation ( June ) I will shutoff the main as usuall but should I open a hot and cold water faucet in the basement just in case ????

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: Wheelchair I think shutting of the main is prudent. Best Wishes

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: vic IF you shut off your main water valve be sure to also turn off the heat to your water heater.

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: cvcman yea my water heater is electric, I always shut it off when we go.....should I leave a lower level faucet hot and cold open ? I think as long as the main is off the water will stay in the water heater

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: hj There should be no problem with a ball valve leaking, but I would open an outside hose faucet to relieve any residual pressure.

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: Wheelchair Besides turning off the water, and electric... make sure you stop the mail and newspapers and let the police know you will be gone for awhile. This way all your bases are covered and you can enjoy your vacation ......with peace of mind. Best Wishes

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: cvcman hj, would an inside basement sink faucet work as well ?? And just open a cold or hot too ? I think from now on I will have my neighbor stick his head in a couple times when we are gone.. probably will never have another problem but m gun shy now

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: RWP (SD) You can have a flood when you are not away. Do you shut off the automatic washing machine water valves when it is not in use? You should. And the hoses should be replaced every 5 years for peace of mind. - - - - - - - - - - Retired after 50 years of plumbing and heating.

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do

Author: cvcman

no i dont shut off the valves, again they are behind my stackable washer/dryer....I guess anything COULD happen, my toilet supply could burst, sink supplys,dishwasher supplys, refridge supply....So should I shut off the main everytime I leave the house....probably not..I dont know anyone who shuts off the washer valves.
If I did it everytime they would probably start leaking,lol

My lifetime burst proof hoses are 7 yrs old but im changing them this week when I do the pan just for 20.00 pc of mind

Thats why im putting in the pan with the drain in it...

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: LemonPlumber (FL) cave open an exterior faucet.we design for failures outside.not inside.remove a vb on a low end hb if needed.but always allow any failure to bleed outside.Also restart the flow with this discharge point open!!!Flaking of fouled tubing is not an uncommon problem and the design relief discharges the debris.

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: cvcman humm whats a VB and an HB And if I leave a lower level sink faucet open it will run down the drain IF anything happens. why would that be a problem

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: LemonPlumber (FL) a vb is a vacuum breaker/a hb is a hose bib.the failure of drain age or the water being able to enter the home as /failed\ is avoidable.even if the lower basement must hold head pressure to an elevated hose bib it would be a better relief point as exterior!!!

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: hj Of course, but I would prefer than any "stray water" remain OUTSIDE the house. You have already had ONE flood from water escaping inside the house. Since it should NOT happen again, it may be academic, but it is what I would do.

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: hj 1. HB is hose bibb/faucet 2. VB is vacuum breaker and if it installed properly you CANNOT remove it without damaging the faucett 3. Drains CAN plug up when the material inside dries out from non use. Or a piece of paper could "waft" into the sink and cover the drain.

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: cvcman What does the vb do ?? Is this something you. Think I need ?? Now IF I had left a hb open LAST time this could not have happened with the washer ?

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: hj It is a protective device to prevent "siphoning" impure water through the hose into the house water piping. It is hard to say, because the VB does introduce a degree of back pressure before it lets water drain out, but we cannot tell if your faucets have them or not without a picture.

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: bernabeu (SC) the vb is REQUIRED by federal legislation turn off the main valve turn off electric to water heater (if electric type) open 1 outside hose bibb open 1 inside faucet done - - - - - - - Measure twice, cut once. Retired Plumbers Local Union #1

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: hj It IS REQUIRED, but there are a lot of them without the VB.

Re: ok, so after my flood, next vacation what should I do
Author: bernabeu (SC) yea yea yea, hj, i know we are a lawless nation of mavericks just look at all the $35,000 harleys with the voided warranttees due to exhaust modification - - - - - - - Measure twice, cut once. Retired Plumbers Local Union #1