I turned off the water through the city as well as the main in the house - drained the pipes and added marine antifreeze. I need to turn everything back on - the city will connect the main on Monday but I do not know if I am supposed to leave the faucets open when I turn on the main inside the house - close them - or what? The house has been closed since Nov with the hear set at 53.

Hey Debid:

Here's how I do it when I am alone:

First thing to do is to go around and shut all faucets (including outside faucet). I would also shut off the cold water feed into the water heater.

Then turn on the water at the water meter and energize the cold water supply. Check for any leaks. Next, turn on the OUTSIDE FAUCET to purge air out of the cold water system. This will allow most sediments/air to be released through a valve without an aerator reducing chances of clogging any faucets inside the home. Shut the outside faucet once water runs clean and without sputtering.

If no leaks/issues then turn on the cold water supply into the water heater and energize the hot water supply. At the same time open a hot water faucet at a laundry tub if present or at the closest two handle faucet (remove aerator here... see picture below) if possible and purge any air from the water heater and the hot water pipes.

If no leaks after the water heater is full and water flows from the faucet then go around and open up all the faucets and purge air/sediment from these faucets.

If flow is reduced or the spray is changed out of any faucets then you will need to remove the aerators and clean them.

If any shutoffs or valves leak at the handle after this then you will need to tighten the bonnet packing nut located behind the handle... snug this up and should stop any drips.

Finally, don't forget to remove any antifreeze from the waste lines using a wet/dry vac. If possible and dispose of as recommended by the manufacturer... ;)

Let us know if you have any other questions here...


MARK