Take these precautions to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting while you’re away in the winter:
Turn off your water supply. If your home has a fire sprinkler system in place, don’t turn off the water to that safety system.
Drain your pipes of remaining water by flushing the toilet to clear out the tank and bowl, plus open all faucets.
Consider pouring non-toxic antifreeze in pipes and toilets to prevent standing water from freezing.
Shut off your gas water heater using the valve at the bottom. Then, shut off the water supply to the water heating using the top valve.
Clear the water heater by using a hose attached to the drain valve.
If you have a pool, consider calling a specialist to drain that as well.
Set your thermostat to a temperature between 50° and 55°F—just high enough to prevent freezing inside your home.
If you’re not comfortable winterizing your pipes and plumbing on your own, consider reaching out to a licensed plumber. They’ll be able to blow compressed air through the pipes to confirm the pipes are fully drained. Plus, every home has different plumbing and your home may require extra precautions.