Job Details
**How to Winterize Plumbing in a Vacant House**
**How to Winterize Plumbing in a Vacant House**
for your metro area property. The risks of problems increases substantially when a property is going to remain vacant during winter, and our team wants to help you avoid such a crisis. Here are some helpful tips on how to keep your pipes and fixtures in top shape no matter what the season.
**Winterizing Checklist for Owners**
Many property owners are aware of the importance of winterizing their plumbing system but arent sure what steps to take. Thats why were offering this handy checklist to make the process simpler.
* **Shut Off the Main Water Supply** - Before the following tasks can be completed, the first step should be to shut off the water supply going into your house. This will ensure that your plumbing system is free of incoming freshwater while youre winterizing the pipes and fixtures. Neglecting this step could cause damage.
* **Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures** - Your outdoor spigots can allow freezing temperatures to infiltrate indoor pipes. For this reason, its vital that you disconnect all garden hoses and outdoor fixtures from the spigots before the weather takes a turn for the worst. Make sure you allow the spigots to drain for a few hours so existing water can escape.
* **Water Heater** - It may be easy to forget about the water heater since it is out of sight. However, it needs to be fully drained to avoid freezing while the house is vacant. Turn off the gas or electrical power to the unit to avoid injury or health risks. Then connect a hose to the drain valve to release stored water. Make sure the other side of the hose is directing the water outside or into the bathtub since the water heater may have a high volume of water inside the tank.
* **Pipes** - Clear out your pipes by opening all the faucets in your sinks, bathtubs, and showers until the water has drained completely. You can also add a small amount of antifreeze down your drains to prevent small amounts of leftover water from freezing inside the p-traps.
* **Sprinkler or Irrigation System** - The lawn sprinklers or automatic irrigation system also needs to be considered when winterizing. Along with the main water valve, youll also need to turn off the backflow prevention valves. Also, turn off the power to the control device to avoid the timer coming back on. Dont forget to drain the water from the irrigation lines.
* **Toilets** - Close the main water valve located behind the toilet. Then, flush the toilet until the tank empties completely.
* **Water Softener** - In addition to the main water supply, make sure the heater and water pump are also turned off. Then, lay the water softener down carefully and drain the water. The water that remains above the salt level should also be removed from your brine tank.
at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Atlanta, GA. Our specialists are ready to discuss your needs and can come to your location with all the tools needed to keep your pipes protected when the temperature starts to drop. Call for more details or to schedule an upcoming plumbing service.