Just bought a home that had been winterized. I am getting the water turned back on in a couple of days. I need the steps that I have to take to ensure a safe and complete return of the plumbing. Any help that includes de-winterizing the hot water tank and toilets would be also be helpful.

Thank you

OK Mike:

I will start by assuming water is turned ON to the main water shutoff and meter is installed (also assumed city/town water).

WASTE

I am assuming that all traps have been filled with antifreeze, oil, or similar (if not can disregard most of this).

I would purchase a 1.5 gallon wet/dry vac ($30.00 @ home supply store) and set it up for wet vac. Then I would vacuum all the traps at sinks/showers out (tub may be difficult to suck dry), vacuum all the toilets out, even check the washing machine trap. Idea here is to remove all the antifreeze at as many traps as possible... and to dispose of it properly (do not let this go down the drain).

WATER

First, visually inspect the pipes.. walk the water lines and double check nothing obvious.

Go around entire house and shut off ALL faucets, tub/shower valves, washing machine valves, outside faucets, outside sprinkler system (if have one), main water shutoff into the boiler should also be shut if boiler system. If can, I would also advise you to shut off the shut off at each toilet.

Go to water heater and make sure the boiler drain at bottom of heater is closed and, for now, shut the cold water shutoff to the water heater.

Then with friend's help... turn the water main shutoff on... see what happens to pipe system first. If all seems OK... then I would open the cold water shutoff ON at the water heater (this energizes the hot water pipes). You must open the hot side of a laundry tub faucet OR open the hot water side to a tub faucet to purge water heater of air (this will take 3-5 minutes to fill). Do not purge to a faucet with an aerator...will most certainly get plugged up!!

Once tank is full and water flows freely at tub or laundry tub... shut the tub or laundry tub faucet OFF. Now listen (quiet)... the mains are full! That will be very nice sound... IF NO LEAKS! ;)

After that.. if all good... then want to open every valve, one at a time... purge air, dirty water from each sink/shower, etc. May need to remove and clean an aerator or two from faucet spouts (see pic.). If outside sprinklers present should be looking for vacuum breaker... let us know if outside sprinklers at house.

Then open toilet shutoffs, make sure they fill correctly, flush correctly... may want to do a dye test at tanks where you put dye tablet or food coloring in tank and let sit for 12 hours. If color shows in toilet BOWL, then may need to replace the flapper!

Then, if have a boiler, want to turn on the water and begin to fill this system... BUT that is for another time... MUST CONFIRM YOU HAVE A BOILER... what type (gas/oil), how many zones, etc...

Then you want to watch things closely for a couple days. In fact, unless living there...I would shut the water main every time I was leaving the building for a little while...until sure all is good!!! Leaks can show up overnight sometimes. Also, don't assume the waste lines/traps are all OK...they may leak, too...so check after every shower, tub, etc...for awhile.

Let me know what you think... let me know if have a gas water heater and need help lighting the pilot... or if have a boiler... ;)
Look for floor drains... uncapped sewer lines, etc.

If this answer helped please RATE THIS ANSWER. Thank you... Mark

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by hockeymike0810

Just bought a home that had been winterized. I am getting the water turned back on in a couple of days. I need the steps that I have to take to ensure a safe and complete return of the plumbing. Any help that includes de-winterizing the hot water tank and toilets would be also be helpful.

Thank you

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Thank you for the detailed response.

The water is currently shut off at the main from the city. They will be turning it on to get water to the meter, which is currently shut-off on both sides.

The house has a gas hot water heater. Also, all of the feed lines are cpvc (not sure if this changes things). No sprinkler system or boiler.

Thank you for the last bit of advice. I would assume all is OK if no immediate leaks were detected.

Thank you,

Mike

Then the advise stands! Cpvc /copper/pex.. doesn't matter. Same sequence of steps required.

You can only imagine how many times a de-winterized system.. well, wasn't so dewinterized... ;) So err on side of caution and follow steps outlined plus or minus what you can see and I cannot!

After filling water heater and after all pipes confirmed leak free... read the instruction sheet glued on the front of the gas heater to light the pilot. These will be very detailed instructions.

If have any trouble lighting or need more.. let us know... Mark

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