Each year, people winterize their seasonal homes in preparation for cold weather. When the temperatures warm up, they go through the de-winterizing process to prepare the house for enjoyment during the spring and summer. With spring just weeks away, it is the perfect time to review these de-winterizing tips so the process will be short and sweet when the time arrives. The pipes will be prepared for water before the water is turned on in the house so there will not be any flooding.
Step 1: Inspect the water pipes inside your home to identify any cracks or breaks. Remove the insulation installed to protect the pipes from cold weather.
Step 2: Turn off all faucets left open during winterization, except for the faucet located outside the home. This spigot will identify when water begins running.
Step 3: Close the water tube valve on the icemaker in the freezer.
Step 4: Open the valve that supplies water to your water heater. Close the drain cap on the water heater.
Step 5: Remove aerators from kitchen and bathroom faucets. This allows accumulated dirt to run through the water pipes into the sinks.
Step 6: If a sink or basement trap was opened when winterization occurred, connect or cover it.
Step 7: Have several volunteers monitor the pipes for leaks in this step. Slowly turn on the water meter valve so the water begins flowing through your house. Turn the value a one-quarter turn every five to nine seconds. As the pipes fill with water, they may emit grinding or other loud noises.
Step 8: Have one person confirm that water is now running through the outside faucet.
Step 9: Turn on each sink faucet slowly. Allow the water to run continuously for ten minutes. This removes air from water lines and purges the system. Let the water run while the valve for each toilet is turned on. Flush the toilet once it is filled with water.
Step 10: Turn off all the faucets, including the faucet outside the home.
Step 11: Review the plumbing again now that water has run through your home. Look under sinks, behind toilets, and under your water heater for leaks. Check the water tube on the refrigerator and the pipes going to the washing machine.
Step 12: Check your water meter once the water heater is filled. If the meter continues running, the water heater or meter may be leaking. Contact a plumber or the water utility provider if you are unable to identify the source of any leak.
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