Speaking of the Dam.
You won't believe this but while we were walking across the dam a Blue with white striped cobra drove accross the dam.
I waved at the guy(did not know who) but the general consenses now is to keep moving. I am real surprised they still let 18 wheelers accross the dam. I read signs everywhere no commercial traffic, but when we were there we saw @15 big trucks cross it. We could not figure out why.
Besides if "Ben ladden" wanted to blow it up, it would get blown up. They still let regular traffic accross it and travel trailers. I noticed they are building a new road beside the old one. Are they going to divert traffic accross a new bridge or is that just for existing heavy traffic?
I have been there four times before and the water level is the lowest I have ever seen. I could not tell for sure but it looks about fifty feet low. How far down is the water level?
Tru,
Never drain your household system for long periods of time. I have built over 450 new homes and know this first hand. In fact it is made clear in our home owmers manuals. The reason is when you drain your water pipes for long periods of time several things start to occur.
One, bacteria like you have never seen (or want to) will take over. It will require a bleach wash of the system to kill.
Two, some homes (not any of mine) will have a PVC water supply line. When these types of lines dry out they will start to leak. They are designed to contain water not air. It is very bad for the fittings for these types of lines to loose water pressure for extended periods of time.
Three, Even the drains should have water in them. They will dry up and leak as well. It you have a bathroom in your home that is not used regularly, go in there every once and a while and run the water in the sinks and shower, and flush the toilet. It will do your system good.
If you are leaving for extended periods, simply turn off the water outside at the front of your home. Most newer homes have seperate water shutoff valves at the front of the house. If not, turn it off at the meter. If the weather will be freezing, put in some
antifreeze in the toilets and the water system. When you get back simply turn the water back on and run it for about five mins. Turn the gas or electric off to the water heaters, at the pilot lights and the valves. This will keep the heaters from evaporating the water inside and burning up the heater and down your home.
There are different ways to protect your home in different parts of the country. If it gets really hot, or really cold when your will be gone simply call a local plumber and ask them, they will be happy to help out.