Asked on Jan 22, 2014

Pipes freezing

Robert Decker
by Robert Decker
We have a summer cottage , located in the east end of LI,,not going to be occupied till May how do we keep our pipes from freezing, Thank you.
  7 answers
  • Freda Freda on Jan 23, 2014
    Shut the water off at the source (pump or meter). Then turn on all faucets, flush toilet, empty hot water tank. That will keep them from freezing..........they won't have any water in the lines. Hope this helps.
  • Renie Thompson Renie Thompson on Jan 23, 2014
    Freda nailed it.
  • Lezlie Lezlie on Jan 23, 2014
    Add anti freeze for insurance.
    • Freda Freda on Jan 25, 2014
      @Lezlie this is an awesome idea. I had never thought of that! Thanks!!
  • Norman Ransom Norman Ransom on Jan 23, 2014
    I also recommend adding or having an air valve installed between the water source. Once you have the water cut off and pressure bled down you can use an air pump or compressor to push water out of the pipes so it will clear any low areas. Be sure to cut off water heater gas or electric and drain it also. In mountain summer homes we either drain it all or fill the water heater with some RV antifreeze. Be very careful to regulate the air pressure, don't exceed about 35 to 40 pounds, most water pressures are regulated from 30 to 60 pounds pressure so your pipes can usually handle the lower pressures.
  • Robert all good advice. My only suggestion to add to this is flushing the toilets alone will not prevent them from cracking nor any traps from breaking. You need to purchase anti-freeze that is used for plumbing pipes only. Its much less toxic then the stuff you use in the car. This can be purchased at most boat supply houses, at RV centers or off of the internet. When turning off the water be sure to open up every valve in the house, including any hose bibs outside. The water needs to drain out completely. When installing anti-freeze be sure to add to the toilet tanks, the bowls, every tub and shower area drain. Also remember your dish washer contains water in a trap also. Some can be simply filled inside the unit with enough anti-freeze to fill the plastic pumps. But you need to check with the manufacture of your particular machine. Clothes washers also can freeze and crack. Add anti-freeze to the drum after turning the water off to the unit and run the spin cycle to allow the pump to push some of the anti-freeze into the pump. And again, check with the manufacture on your washer, they may suggest some other solutions. Another idea is to install either a NEST thermostat or one manufactured by Honeywell called red dot. These units connect to your wireless internet system. Then can be set up to let you know that the room temps are really low which will allow you to remotely turn up the heat in the house when your away. the Red Dot system also has accessories to install water sensors should a pipe burst and will let you know ahead of time.
  • Dee Dee on Jan 24, 2014
    R V anti freeze not car anti freeze.
  • Matawanakee Matawanakee on Oct 04, 2015
    All of the above. We use about 3-4 gallons of RV antifreeze for one toilet, one shower, kitchen and bathroom sinks. This is after blowing air through the system with an air compressor for a while. You have to get all the water out. In the warm weather make an inventory of all of the drains so that you do not forget to open one of them. Car antifreeze is toxic, RV antifreeze is not. Put enough down the drains to push out the water so that only antifreeze remains. I buy the 60 or 100 antifreeze.