As several neighbors have experienced this winter, frozen pipes can be an expensive and frustrating experience. But it can be avoided. Let’s start with making sure the water line that leads to the exterior of your home is drained, cleared, and shut off.
Instructions for Turning Off Hose Bibs
These are the outside water faucet/hose connections that have special adapters to drain water from the faucets once the flow of water has been turned off within the home. In as much as these outside faucets will freeze and fracture during the winter (unless properly drained), the Association recommends the following be adhered to.
Please note that the entire concept revolves around the complete absence of water in the pipe. The water valve may, or may not, have a small knurled cap (like the valve cover on an auto tire) on the side. If present, this is known as a bleeder cap. To secure these lines for winter, follow these procedures:
1. There are shutoff valves located in the utility room and under the kitchen sink of your homes that are connected only to the front and rear hose bibs. Turn these valves off (clockwise).
2. Open both front and rear hose bibs and allow to drain.
3. Remove the small bleeder cap from the shutoff valve in the utility room, and allow any remaining water to drain into the pot or pan. Once the rush of air and any remaining water has stopped, you can close it again.
At this point, the line should be okay for the winter. The system is now winterized. Should you turn it on again to wash a car, etc., the entire procedure must be repeated. It is not as complicated as it may sound, but it is vitally important to drain these lines.
The system can be left in this state for the rest of the winter or as long as the outside hose bibs are not needed.
To turn water back on in the spring, close the outside hose bibs first and open the shutoff valve in the utility room and under the kitchen sink.