(KANSAS CITY – December 14, 2009) - Cold temperatures can cause problems for homeowners who are away during a power outage. To prevent ruptured pipes and water damage, homeowners must do more than turn off the main water valve.


The following is a step-by-step process to winterize your plumbing system:    

1. Turn off the main water service valve (usually on the basement wall at the front of the home).
   
   
2. Turn off the gas valve on the water heater, or if an electric water heater, turn off the breaker that supplies power to it.
   
   
3. Drain the water heater tank. Connect a drain hose to the hose bib on the water heater and place the open end of the hose near a floor drain.
   
   
4. Open all indoor faucets, both hot and cold sides. This includes sinks, lavatories, showers, and bathtubs. Unhook the washing machine hoses and open these two valves. NOTE: If you have water filters or a water softener, these will also need to be drained.
   
   
5. Flush all toilets to drain most of the water out of the tanks. Pour some propylene glycol (antifreeze – not ethylene glycol which is toxic and used in cars) in the tanks to mix with the remaining water and pour one pint of non-diluted antifreeze into each toilet bowl.
   
   
6. Pour propylene glycol into each drain trap in the home. These include sinks, lavatories, tubs, showers, and the washing machine discharge pipe.
   
   
7. If you have a sump pump, have a battery back-up sump pump which will activate, even if there is no power.
   

For more information on this or other heating and plumbing topics, please contact Steve Burbridge at Anthony Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. Cell 816-564-4482 or email Steve at sburbridge@anthonyphc.com or Kelsey Huber at Cowtown Marketing, 913-649-4040 x102, or Kelsey@cowtownmarketing.com.