Evacuations will be most often executed during winter months, when cold temperatures will make a house inhabitable. Although the entire house could be damaged from low temperatures, it is mainly the plumbing system that’s in danger. If an auxiliary heating system is used, make sure no other part of the plumbing system can freeze.

If the house has to be evacuated, protect it by taking the following precautions :

• Turn off the main breaker or switch of the circuit-breaker panel or power-supply box. Closed the faucet from where it enters the house. Protect the valve, inlet pipe, and meter or pump using blankets or insulation material.
• Empty all the plumbing system. Starting with upper floors, open all faucets and flush the toilets several times. Go to the basement and open the drain valve. Drain your hot water tank: attach a hose to the tank drain valve so that the water can run to the basement floor drain.
• If you drain a gas powered water tank, you have to turn off the pilot light. It will be needed to call the local gas supplier to re-light it.
• Unplug and empty washer hoses and drain.
• Don’t worry that small amounts of water could stay in horizontal pipes. Put a small amount of glycol or antifreeze to water left in the toilet bowl, and the sink and bathtub traps.
• If your house is equipped with a sump pump allowing the release of groundwater, remove valuable objects that are on the basement floor in case of flooding.