As is often the case, the question of “how” is not as important as “why”. I live in the Northeast and we have a little season called winter that rolls through here every so often. Along with it comes sub-zero wind chills, chest high piles of snow, and if you aren’t careful, the potential for severe water damage in your vacant houses. If you have to leave a house vacant in the winter and the heat will be off be sure that this doesn’t happen to you.
Now I will admit I found this picture on the internet, but it does happen. Just last winter a friend of mine checked on a house that he was working on to find icicles hanging from the ceiling in the kitchen and all of the toilets exploded! It doesn’t have to happen, and here is what you can do to prevent freezing and bursting pipes.
Good luck, and lets all hope for a fast return to summer.
-The Opinion 2-007
- Shut off gas lines at entrance to home if present.
- Shut off the main water supply line where it enters the house.
- Open all faucets and leave them open to empty the pipes.
- If you have hot water heat open the highest radiator valve then drain the heating pipes from the valve at the base of the boiler.
- Drain the water heater and leave valve open. Turn off the water heater. Connect a hose to the valve at the bottom of the unit and run it to a nearby drain or into buckets for dumping. Be sure to use a hose rated to withstand heat or you may make a huge mess.
- Remove all water from toilet tanks and bowls.
Turn off the toilet cold water feed at the base of the toilet then flush the toilet several times until empty. - Pour RV antifreeze in toilet bowl and a small amount in tank. Never use anti-freeze designed for automotive engines. RV antifreeze is non-toxic and is specifically designed to protect water systems from freezing.
- Pour enough RV antifreeze in sink drains and shower drains to fill traps.
- Unplug refrigerator, thoroughly clean, and remove the door.
- Unplug all electrical items.
