By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
I'll be traveling during the winter months and want to winterize my home. Some friends have recommended draining my water heater and turning off the gas. Others say this is not a good idea. What is your opinion? -Ron
Dear Ron,
It is generally not a good idea to turn off a water heater completely. Major temperature changes in a metal fixture can cause significant expansion and contraction of the components. If you allow your water heater to become cold, all of its constituent parts will shrink. When you relight the burner at a later date, re-expansion of the fixture could cause leaking at the fittings, and replacement of the unit might then be necessary. The recommended procedure when you leave home for an extended period is to turn water heater thermostat to the "vacation" setting. The pilot light will remain lit, maintaining a slightly warm water temperature within the unit until you return home.
If your home is heated with gas, it is also unwise to turn off the gas service when leaving home during winter. If the house temperature should drop below freezing while you are away, the water pipes could split open, causing major damage to the building and its contents. So be sure to leave the thermostat turned on at the lowest setting, usually between 50 and 60 degrees.
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