I have a remote cabin in WA state, which I visit infrequently in the winter.
When I know it's going to be cold (below freezing for several days), I "drain" the water system and turn off the well pump/pressure tank. By draining, I mean I ensure all the water is out of the pipes in the main cabin, and also partially drain the pressure tank and hot water tank (in a basement under the main cabin) as well.
My thinking is that completely draining the two basement tanks is safer, but it takes long enough that instead I have been draining 5-10 gallons out of each to allow for expansion if the water freezes up. Is this sufficient to prevent the freezing from rupturing the units or doing some other permanent damage? The pressure tank is about 50 gallons capacity, the water heater is
Tnx