Family returns from vacation to find home flooded, frozen

Standard practice for us when leaving for any activity where we are gone more than a day, shut the water pump off. At most, if something broke, it would only run until the water pressure ran out of the lines.

However, for the last 4 years, we've had my son living with us, with his (now almost 5 year old) son. So, the house is occupied 24x7x365 now. (hoping someday he'll finally move out again!)

Try to look at the bright side. It's a good reason to full time. :)

wnjj wrote:
Read post #2 above. Leaving the heat on is no guarantee.

No, but the OP didn't mention anything about leaving the heat on.

Would YOU leave your home in winter with no heat on because it's "no guarantee"?

2oldman wrote:

stetwood wrote:
Maybe add some pink stuff to toilet tanks and bowls. This may cost a few dollars but makes for cheap insurance. Have a relative or neighbor check house daily if possible.

I don't want cheap insurance, I want good insurance. No mention of leaving the heat on??

Read post #2 above. Leaving the heat on is no guarantee.

stetwood wrote:
Maybe add some pink stuff to toilet tanks and bowls. This may cost a few dollars but makes for cheap insurance. Have a relative or neighbor check house daily if possible.

I don't want cheap insurance, I want good insurance. No mention of leaving the heat on??

Yep, stuff happens. Sometimes even if you think you're planned for all eventualities. Murphy's always hanging around, just waiting.

stetwood wrote:
A real simple lesson. Turn off your water at the source, whether a well or city water and open several faucets to allow ice expansion.Maybe add some pink stuff to toilet tanks and bowls. This may cost a few dollars but makes for cheap insurance. Have a relative or neighbor check house daily if possible.

Yikes, sorry to hear that happened to you.

Hopefully no treasured heirlooms were damaged.

Good advice. My buddy was out of the country visiting family and called me at 11 one night frantic. He has a Nest thermostat that was showing 42 degrees and the outside temp was in the single digits. He was mainly worried about his birds.

I went over and got the heat working again, but that could have been catastrophic if it had deeply frozen. I laughed at him when he bought the $300 thermostat... but that was cheap prevention for what could have happened!!!