How to Winterize– plumbing system

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It’s winter, and you’ve just finished parking for your family trip. All persons and bags have been accounted for, and you still think that you’ve missed something. And it suddenly hits you, pipes! Leaks and breaks in your plumbing system can occur during the winter if your pipes are not prepared for this weather change. This process is known as winterizing. Winterizing pipes involves draining all pipes, filling all fixtures with an anti-freezing solution and emptying things like your water heater, etc.

Hence, before storming off to that dream vacation, be sure to go through this list to avoid dealing with serious pipe problems when you return. You also might want to make a list of all the pipes and areas in your home that you need to address so that you do not miss something,

Remember to lower down your water heater, water pump and the main water valve on your property.
Next, you should open all taps and drain valves on your property. This will get all the water off your pipes and prevent freezing of the water inside the pipes due to low temperature. You should also make sure that all taps are open and remain open as having one of the taps closed could create a vacuum that will hold some of the water inside.
Another good option is to use air compressors to expel any water left stagnant in pipes.
Another area you should not leave unattended is washrooms. Flush all the water from your toilets or add antifreeze to prevent water from cracking your toilets.
Lastly check all sinks, tubs and any other item that could have water settled in. If you can’t remove or drain the water, just add antifreeze, and you should be good.

Finally, as you are heading for the door, check your heating system and make sure it is set to the optimal temperature. Even if you intend to spend the winter at home, winterizing can save you a lot of future plumbing repairs.
This process is the same for rental properties and as a landlord, having a great property management company will help you avoid disasters such as pipe bursts. Not sure how to go about it? Get in touch with an established property management company or plumbing company near you.