Winterize Plumbing Pipes in Greenville

Prevent damage and winterize plumbing pipes. This is a process that prepares your household plumbing for freezing temperatures that winter has coming. It is important to do so because when water freezes in pipes, it expands as it becomes ice causing damage. Winterizing your plumbing pipes is recommended for houses that will be vacant for a long period of time without water running.

What is the preparation like?

Before starting with the steps below, make a checklist of all the plumbing parts, including taps and valves to make sure you do not miss any during the process. Checking off steps as completed is a good idea to to ensure there are no surprises come winter.

Steps to Winterize Plumbing Pipes in Greenville

1. Shut off the main water valve as well as the water pump and water heater. 
2. Open all the drain valves as well as taps, these will remain open throughout the winter months.  If a valve is left closed it can trap water inside the pipes.
3. Blow any excess water by using an air compressor.
4. Let your hot water tank drain out through the open valve until it is empty. If your hot water tank does not have a flood drain you will need to attach a garden hose.
5. Drain all the water that remains in the holding tank, specifically the one in the rubber diaphragm. As an additional measure add antifreeze to the jet pump case.
6. You can remove water from the toilets by flushing them. For any remaining water add antifreeze to help prevent water from freezing which can crack the toilet.

Preventing Freezing Pipes in Greenville

It is important to protect pipes that are out side of the wall, one way to help protect them is by placing insulation sleeves on them. Inspecting the exterior of the property is important to ensure that all visible cracks are sealed. Another proactive step to take is to leave faucets on with a small drip to keep water moving throughout the pipes.

Here are a few other tips to help prevent freezing pipes:

1. Insulate pipes with insulation sleeves.
2. Inspect the exterior of your property and seal any visible cracks.
3. Keep a heating source on inside the building to help protect against the cold.
4. Keep a faucet dripping which will allow the water to continuously move.
5. Is the crawl space insulated? Make sure all vents are blocked that lead to the outside.
6. Drain hose bibs, insulate the covers and then deactivate bibs at the shutoff valve.

If you have any questions about how to winterize plumbing pipes or need assistance performing these tasks, contact your Greenville plumber, Premier Plumbing today at 864.444.6570.