Plumbing Tips | February 17, 2022
How To Shut Down Your Plumbing (Remove All Water For Major Repairs)
It doesn’t happen often, but at one time or another, you might need to shut down your plumbing system.
In other words, how do you properly put all of the water-using fixtures, appliances, faucets, and pipes in your home out of operation during a major repair or renovation?
Let’s find out!
When Should You Shut Down Your Plumbing?
When you do major repairs or installations that call for cutting into the main pipes, or when you need to clear and recharge waterlogged air chambers, you must shut off the incoming water and drain out the existing water supply before you can start work.
Also, when you leave a house empty and unheated for the winter, you must also weatherproof your plumbing to protect it from bursting in freezing temperatures.
Whatever the occasion, be sure to reserve a few gallons of water for drinking or cooking before you shut off the supply. If you are about to winterize a summer home, draw enough extra water to prepare an antifreeze mix that you will need to protect the traps.
Checklist to Shut Down Your Plumbing
In order to drain your system efficiently, follow this checklist completely.
- Cut off the house water supply by closing the main shutoff valve.
- Turn off the gas or electricity to the boiler (if you have one) and the water heater.
- Siphon the water out of the tub of the clothes washer.
- If you have hot-water heat, open the drain faucet on the boiler and let the water flow into the floor drain. Next open all of the radiator valves. Then remove an air vent from a radiator on the top floor so air will replace the water as it drains into the boiler.
- Working floor by floor, starting at the top, open all hot and cold water faucets (including tubs, showers, outdoor faucets) and flush all toilets.
- Open the drain faucets on the water heater and the water treatment equipment (such as a water softener) if you have any.
- Finally, open the drain faucet on the main supply line to release any water that might remain in the pipes.
At this stage, your plumbing system will be adequately drained for repair or remodeling work. If you are closing the house for winter, take additional precautions. Check the entire house, garage, and any water-using facilities on the property to make sure every place where water can collect has been drained.
What About Cold Weather Protection?
For cold-weather protection, any water remaining in the fixture and toilet traps (and the main house trap if you have one) must be replaced with an antifreeze solution. Follow these instructions to keep the traps from bursting while still acting as a barrier against sewer gas.
- Get nontoxic propylene glycol antifreeze used for recreational vehicles (RVs). Don’t use the kind used in cars (it’s toxic). And alcohol-based antifreeze solutions will evaporate too fast.
- Mix the antifreeze with water, as directed on the label. Or pour it straight into the trap. How much you need depends on the proportions recommended and the number of traps in your home.
- Prepare the bathroom, sink, and tub traps first. Remove all the accessible cleanout plugs, drain the water from each trap into a bucket, and discard it. Replace the plug. Pour at least a quart of your solution into each trap. With traps you can’t empty, pour the solution in very slowly so that it pushes the water ahead of it into the drainpipes.
- Wipe up any water remaining in the bottom of toilet bowls with rags. Pour at least a gallon of the antifreeze solution into each toilet tank, then flush the tank. The antifreeze will collect in the toilet trap.
- Remove either the inlet or outlet plug of the main house trap, if you have one. Siphon out the water in the trap. Pour about a quart of antifreeze into the trap and replace the plug.
- If you have your own well system, drain the water tank and dry off all parts of your pump (unless it is a submerged pump, which requiers no special precautions).
Final Thoughts
Follow this checklist to shut down your plumbing system and winterize. It could save you loads of frustration and a lot of money in burst pipes and water damage.
Related Resources
- Prevent freezing pipes from bursting
- What’s the difference? Winterization vs Insulation
- Here’s how to winterize a house for complete protection
- Here’s how to insulate exposed water pipes
- How to winterize a house with frost-free spigots
- Don’t risk a cold shower this winter: insulate your water heater
- Learn how to thaw frozen pipes with a hair dryer!
- Prevent freezing pipes from causing water damage
- Remove a stuck garden hose and winterize it properly
- 5 main types of plumbing pipes (pros and cons)
- Water damage services
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
If you need help with house winterization or plumbing insulation, don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237).
1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain, or water damage problem, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.