The tool you mention is for turning the water off out in front of the house. The hole has a cover marked "water" on it. You just uncover it and reach in with the pole and turn off the water and open your spigots. It is good to do this.

I forgot to mention it in my other post.

Does someone have your key? They could turn off your water and turn on the heat to about 54 degrees. That is what we usually.do.

We have never drained the pipes and put the anti-freeze in the toilets and all that stuff, because we do want the option of coming when we feel like it. Turning off the water is a safe thing to do.

Hope you can find someone to help you out. Otherwise .... a little "quick trip" would be advisable. You can't tell if you have trouble until the weather warms up ....and then the water start to flow if you have a leak. It has been pretty cold the last few days. We had a friend go over and check on things. We left the heat on a bit, but did not turn off the water yet. ( my fault, cause I was the last one there! )

Nancy Weber