Turning off water in house for 3 weeks, anything special to do with the toilets?

Question

We'll be leaving the house for about 3 weeks. Planning on turning off the water-which we always do, but not usually gone for so long.

Is there anything that should be done for the toilets to make sure those don't go drying out? Someone mentioned if the toilets dry out, it will cause alot of problems- including sewer gases escaping into the house.

Answer 1

as long as you do not flush the toilet after you cut the water off they will be fine..i would pour a little bleach in them to prevent any bacteria forming while your gone..when you get home simply turn the water back on..then flyush the belach water out

Answer 2

naaah.

3 weeks in a home isnt long enough to evaporate that much water.  just keep whats in there, in.

Answer 3

In  three weeks water won't evaporate, there is about one gallon of water in toilet base, so you will be just fine. My parents live overseas and I went there plenty times  for three weeks and toilets were just fine.

Answer 4

Leave water in toilet bowls, otherwise the trap may dry out and sewer gas come back into house.

Also shut off power to electric water heaters, or shut gas valve off to gas water heaters.

3 weeks isn't that long so you should be all right.

Turn on the power to water heaters or gas as soon as you get home, but after you insure they both have all air out of them from turning off the water.

Answer 5

The base of your toilet is a p or s trap just like all the rest of the drains in your home.  Even if you flush the toilet after shutting the water off this trap will continue to have water in it.  And it certainly won't dry out in three weeks.  Some folks actually do empty the tank itself to prevent a leak while they are away.  All of the seals and seats in the tank are neoprene or rubber so there is no danger of them drying out either.