Importance of Draining Your Water Pipes Before Winter

How can Water Pipes Impact Your Home's Foundation?

It's hard to believe that freezing temperatures are heading to Kansas City in a few months. Is your home ready? The summer droughts can cause cracks, which can lead to an entry point for water during the fall and winter season.

Freezing pipes can cause water damage through leaks and bursts, and this is a common problem in winter. To avoid this, you need to take steps before winter arrives to protect your plumbing pipes from freezing.

This article we will guide you through the step by step process of how to drain water pipes to keep from freezing. By following our easy step by step guide you will get rid from the tension of water pipe freezing.

Why do pipes freeze in winter?

During the winter season, pipes have the potential to freeze due to the combination of low temperature and the presence of water within the pipes. So If there is water inside the pipes and they are not drained properly before freezing, that could block the pipe.

How does ice damage pipes?

Ice can cause damage to pipes in a rather unique way. Consider the presence of a faucet or hose within your household, serving as a convenient water source. When you decide to shut off the faucet, a small quantity of water inevitably remains within the pipes. Instead of completely reversing its flow back into the tank, this residual water lingers within the pipes. As the winter season arrives and temperatures plummet in Kansas City, the stagnant water within the pipes freezes, heralding the onset of potential issues and complications.

When water freezes, it expands and takes up more space. This expansion puts pressure on the pipes, which can make them crack or even burst open. Burst pipes can lead to leaks and water damage in your house.

Pipes that are exposed to cold air and don't have proper insulation are more likely to freeze. So, it's important to take precautions to protect your pipes.

Importance of draining water pipes before winter

The frozen metal within the pipes will begin to crack or split apart. Which can lead to broken pipes, costly repairs, and the potential for no water supply for a period of time. It can also increase your electricity bills significantly.

To avoid this kind of situation, it is important to stay alert and drain your water pipes before winter.

Preparation and Materials

To start draining your water pipes before freezing, you will need a few tools and materials. The following tools will help you to complete your work without any hassle.

- Garden Hose

-  Air Compressor

-  Antifreeze solution

There are also some small essential tools like - adjustable wrench, pipe cutter, buckets, towels, pilers, screwdriver, and heat tape that you should keep hand before you start your work.

How to drain water pipes before winter in 6 steps

So, to drain you water pipe before winter, you need to follow these 6 simple steps

Step-1: Shut off the water supply

The main water valve in a house is typically located near the water meter, but its exact position can vary from house to house. If you are unable to find the main water valve, it is recommended to contact your water supply company for guidance on its location.

To begin with, locate the main water supply valve in your house. This valve is responsible for controlling the water flow into your plumbing system. Once located, turn it to off to shut off the water supply.

In some cases, the valve may be challenging to operate. If you encounter difficulty, you can use a rag or cloth for better grip and leverage when turning the valve. Remember to turn it firmly but gently to avoid any damage.

Step-2: Open all Indoor and Outdoor faucets

After you've turned off the main valve, go ahead and open all the faucets in your house. Keep them open until you don't see any more water coming out. This will let the water lines drain out completely and make sure there's no water left in the system.

Step-3: Flush all toilet

Next, it's time to flush all the toilets in your home and empty their tanks. Start this process from the top floor of your house and work your way down. Flush each toilet, allowing the water to drain out completely from the tanks. This step ensures that all water is removed from the toilet fixtures and tanks throughout your home.

Step-4: Drain your water Appliances

In most houses there are some water based appliances like washing machines, dishwasher etc. So in this step, simply turn on these water appliances and wait for a while to drain them properly. For washing machine, remember to run both cold and hot water to flush out any detergent sediments.

Step-5: Empty water heater tank

Now also empty your water heater and make sure that there is no water remaining.

Step-6: Force Compressed air through the pipes

The final step is to use compressed air to blow out any remaining water from the pipes. To do that, attach a hose connector and feed compressed air at around 70 psi pressure. This step ensures that all water is thoroughly expelled from your property, leaving no residual water. 

By following these 6 steps, you can help safeguard your pipes from freezing during winter.

Additional Precautions and Tips

Other than draining your pipes, there are also many ways you can prevent your pipes from freezing. Some of them are:

● Insulate exposed pipes

● Seal gaps and cracks

● Leave cabinet door open

● Run antifreeze

● Drip Faucets 

● Install Heat cable

Following these steps will ensure your pipe remains free from the frosty clutches of the cold season.With a little knowledge and a few preventive measures, you can prevent frozen pipes, keeping your home cozy and your water flowing smoothly all winter long. If you do happen to see water in your basement seeping through cracks, it may be a foundation concern. Reach out to the PierMagic team for a free assessment to see if waterproofing is the best solution for your situation.  Call their experienced team at 816-765-4800 or fill out the below contact form.