By rob eagar 
Planning a winter getaway can be exciting, but before you leave, there’s one important task you shouldn’t overlook: how to winterize home plumbing. Cold weather can cause water to freeze in your pipes, leading to burst pipes, leaks, and water damage. This can result in costly repairs, not to mention the hassle of coming home to a flooded or damaged house. Fortunately, you can easily prevent this by taking key steps to protect your plumbing system from the winter chill. Here’s a detailed guide to winterizing your plumbing like a pro, ensuring peace of mind while you’re away.
1. Turn Off the Water Supply
Turning off the water supply is the first step to winterizing your home plumbing. This is essential if your house is going to be empty for a while. Leaving water in the system increases the risk of frozen pipes, especially during a deep freeze.
To turn off the main water supply, locate your home’s main shut-off valve near the water meter, in the basement, or in a utility room. Once you’ve turned it off, open all the faucets in the house, both hot and cold, to let any remaining water drain out. This simple step ensures no water is left in the pipes that could freeze, expand, and cause a rupture.
2. Drain the Water Heater
After shutting off the main water supply, your water heater is next in line. If water is left inside the heater during cold weather, it can freeze and cause significant damage to the unit. Draining your water heater is a crucial step in preventing this.
To drain the water heater, connect a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and run the hose to a nearby drain or outside. Open the valve to let the water flow out. Once the water has been completely drained, turn off the power supply to the water heater to prevent it from running while empty. If you have a gas water heater, switch the gas valve to the “pilot” setting to avoid running the heater while it’s drained.
3. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Pipes in unheated areas of your home, such as basements, attics, garages, or crawl spaces, are especially vulnerable to freezing. When water freezes in the pipes, it expands, increasing pressure and potentially causing the pipes to burst. The result? Extensive water damage that could cost thousands to repair.
To protect these exposed pipes, you should insulate them with foam pipe insulation. Foam insulation is inexpensive, easy to install, and can be cut to fit any pipe size. If needed, just wrap the insulation around the pipes and secure it with tape. This simple measure adds a layer of warmth, reducing the chances of pipes freezing.
For extra protection, consider using heat tape on especially vulnerable pipes. Heat tape is an electrical cable that runs along the pipe and emits heat to prevent freezing. It’s a great solution for those extremely cold days when insulation alone might not be enough.
4. Open Indoor and Outdoor Faucets
Once the water supply has been turned off and your pipes are drained, it is important to leave all your faucets indoors and outdoors. This step allows any remaining water to drain completely and prevents pressure from building up in the pipes if any water freezes.
Leaving the faucets open also reduces the chance of pipes cracking. If there’s no water pressure inside the pipes, there’s less risk of damage if the temperature drops below freezing. Remember to also open any outdoor faucets. After draining the pipes connected to outdoor spigots, leave them open to allow any excess water to escape and prevent freezing.
5. Add Antifreeze to Traps and Drains
While draining the pipes and water heater will remove most of the water in your plumbing system, some areas, like P-traps in your sinks, toilets, and showers, can still hold a small amount of water. In cold temperatures, this water can freeze, causing damage to the pipes or fixtures.
To prevent this, pour non-toxic, RV-type antifreeze into the drains, toilets, and other plumbing fixtures where water may remain. Unlike automotive antifreeze, which contains toxic chemicals, RV antifreeze is designed specifically for plumbing systems. Pouring antifreeze into the P-traps ensures that the water in those areas won’t freeze and cause problems.
6. Set Your Thermostat to a Safe Temperature
Even if you plan to leave for an extended period, you shouldn’t entirely turn your heating system off. Instead, set your thermostat to a minimum of 55°F (13°C) to keep the interior of your home warm enough to prevent freezing. This small amount of heat will help maintain a stable temperature in areas where your pipes are located, reducing the risk of frozen or burst pipes.
If your home has multiple heating zones, be sure to check that all areas with plumbing are properly heated. Keeping the heat on might seem like an extra cost, but it’s far less expensive than dealing with the aftermath of frozen pipes.
7. Check for Leaks Before You Leave
Before you head off on your winter getaway, take the time to check for any existing leaks in your plumbing system. Even a small drip or slow leak can become a big problem if left unattended during freezing weather. Water left behind in a leaky pipe or fixture can freeze, leading to larger cracks, breaks, or bursts.
Inspect your home thoroughly, checking under sinks, around toilets, in the basement, and in crawl spaces for any signs of leaks. Look for damp spots, water stains, or puddles of water. If you find any issues, fix them before you leave or contact a professional plumber for repairs.
Conclusion: Winterize Now, Relax Later
Winterizing your home plumbing is essential to ensure your home stays safe and damage-free while you’re away. Following these seven essential steps, you can protect your plumbing system from freezing temperatures, avoiding the stress and expense of burst pipes and water damage.
If you need help with winterizing your plumbing or prefer a professional to handle it, check out the full guide at Zeek Plumbing or schedule an appointment with a trusted plumbing service to ensure everything is done right before you head off on your winter vacation.