Homeowners who used to simply turn down the thermostat in a vacated house for the winter are now closing down the plumbing system because of prohibitively high energy costs. Winterizing your plumbing is a virtually cost-free alternative to frozen pipes.

• Turn off the main shutoff valve or have the water company turn off service to the house.
• Starting at the top floor, open all faucets, both indoors and outside.
• When the last of the water has dripped from the taps, open the plug at the main shutoff valve if possible (you may have to contact the water company), and let it drain.
• Turn off the power or gas to the water heater and open its drain valve.
• To freeze proof the system, empty toilet bowls and tanks.
• Remove the clean out plugs on all sink traps or remove the traps, if necessary.
• Once emptied, replace them and fill with plumbing antifreeze mixed with water in the proportions specified for car in your climate.
• You won’t be able to drain tub and shower taps. Instead, add at least a full quart of antifreeze.
• Don’t put antifreeze into a dishwasher or clothes washer.
• If your home has a basement floor drain or a main house trap, fill each with full-strength antifreeze

What to do about Clogged Drains

Before trying any drain-clearing methods on a plugged drain, check that the tub’s pop-up stopper is opening fully and is free of hair and debris. If the stopper isn’t the problem, then the drainpipe is probably clogged. First, try a plunger or chemical drain cleaner.

If these fail to do the job, you’ll have to clear the trap with a snake.

• Most tubs have a P trap in the drain. In some homes, the tub may have a drum rubber gasket.
• Using a snake in a tub P trap is much like snaking out a sink trap. If you have a drum trap, first try snaking it clear through the tub overflow.
• If that doesn’t work, bailout all the standing water from the tub.
• Then, using an adjustable-end wrench, unscrew the trap cover slowly.
• Have rags ready for any water that wells up.
• Remove the cover, bail out and clean the trap.
• If, after this, water does not well up, snake toward the tub; if water does well up, snake toward he main drain.

If you can’t reach the clog from the trap, it’s probably deeper in the main drain. At which point it would be best to have one of our friendly technicians come and take a look.