frozen pipes in vacant home with no heat

[Joseph Labit]

So I just won a bid on a single family house that the bank thought was still occupied (witch means they did not winterize it). I talked to the neighbor and found out that they moved 2 weeks ago. The problem is that the water is still on and the gas and electric were shut off. I am afraid the pipes will bust by the time i close on the property (20 days away). Called the village and they said the water is scheduled to be shut off in 4 days. They would not move that date up since i was not the owner yet.  The temperate for those 4 days will be a high of 32 and a low of 16-20 deg. What are my options??

[Pat L.]

It's not good you're in for a lot of surprises. HW tanks, boiler if it has one, a frozen water meter is expensive to replace. Even if you can drain the plumbing it has to be pressurized to force H2O out of any laterals that will freeze. Not to mention toilet bowls, P-traps & a shower diverter (yep we had one freeze).

I would do whatever you can to get in & winterize it the RIGHT way.