water sound after having water off from vacation
#1
08-17-13, 05:49 AM
water sound after having water off from vacation
Hi,
I am getting ready to head out for a week and like to turn the water off. I didn't turn off the water heater last time I was gone. when I came back and turned on the water it had the sound as if a lot of water was running through the pipe....such that it was fillling up things that were starved of water while I was gone.
I can't think what would have used water. Could it be the hot water heater? is it a bad idea to turn off water and leave heater on?
thanks,
Joe
I am getting ready to head out for a week and like to turn the water off. I didn't turn off the water heater last time I was gone. when I came back and turned on the water it had the sound as if a lot of water was running through the pipe....such that it was fillling up things that were starved of water while I was gone.
I can't think what would have used water. Could it be the hot water heater? is it a bad idea to turn off water and leave heater on?
thanks,
Joe
#2
08-17-13, 05:54 AM
Super Moderator
Yes, very bad. If you turn the water off and it drains somehow you can burn up elements if electric or cause overheating damage if gas.
In most cases, the water won't drain since it normally requires pressure to force water out, if the WH is higher than the piping and you have a leak, it could siphon though.
Best to turn the WH off when you turn off the water. Electric is easy, gas can be more of a pain. If gas, I would turn the thermostat to the "vacation" setting.
Always turn the water on and run a faucet for a few minutes before turning the WH back on.
In most cases, the water won't drain since it normally requires pressure to force water out, if the WH is higher than the piping and you have a leak, it could siphon though.
Best to turn the WH off when you turn off the water. Electric is easy, gas can be more of a pain. If gas, I would turn the thermostat to the "vacation" setting.
Always turn the water on and run a faucet for a few minutes before turning the WH back on.
#3
08-17-13, 09:18 AM
Group Moderator
Chances are someone took one last trip to the bathroom right before you left the house and after you had turned the water off. The toilet can flush once even if the water is off. Then when the water is turned back on the tank will start to fill.
#5
08-18-13, 06:26 AM
Super Moderator
In addition to what PD said....very possibly you have a toilet that is leaking down in the tank. So even if it isn't flushed it has to refill when you turn he house water back on.
Next time you come back, check the tank levels before turning the water back on.
Next time you come back, check the tank levels before turning the water back on.
