During the winter months, it’s likely you winterized some of your plumbing to protect your pipes from freezing. However, spring is officially here and now it’s time to de-winterize those pipes!
To de-winterize, you will do the opposite of what you did to winterize your pipes. Instead of shutting the water off, you will turn the water on again. If you feel uncomfortable de-winterizing on your own, don’t hesitate to call Aloha Plumbing, Sewers, & Drains. We’d be happy to help de-winterize and inspect your pipes to make sure they are all set for spring.
For those of you who prefer DIY projects, here’s a quick guide on how to de-winterize your plumbing!
Step 1: Remove the aerators
Removing the aerator will let any water that’s built up over the winter months drain out.
Step 2: Check your connection
Check to see if all the water supply tubes and pipes are connected. It’s possible you may have disconnected some during your winterization process. In addition, be sure to remove any blockage you put in your pipes during winterization.
Step 3: Open the faucets’ supply valves
During winterization, you turned off the supply valves to each individual faucet. Now, you will need to turn each of those supply valves back on so that every faucet can control the flow of water.
Step 4: Open the hot water heater’s supply valve
Since every model is different, we recommend you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you open the supply valve on your hot water heater. During this process, be sure to open one of the spigots to release some built-up pressure and check if the water is flowing.
Step 5: Turn on the central water supply
The central water supply is located at the water meter. Be sure to turn it on slowly so you don’t shock your plumbing system. We suggest you take about one minute, rotating the knob one-quarter turn every 10 seconds.
Step 6: Look for leaks
Take your time to look and listen for leaks around your home. Since the pipes have not been used in a while, they are more vulnerable to cracking or leaking. If you encounter a leak, don’t worry! Here’s a helpful post about how to handle a cracked pipe.
Step 7: Turn on all faucets
Turn on all the faucets in your home. Let the water flow for a few minutes, until it runs clear. It’s normal for the water to be brownish when it first begins to run because of sediments in the pipes settling during a few months of no use. Also check to see if the water pressure is normal. If not, you could have missed a leak in one of your pipes. If you are not sure what to look for, here are some signs of a leaky pipe.
Once you’ve completed all these steps, congratulations, you have de-winterized your home! If you ran into problems along the way, you might need a plumber. Give Aloha Plumbing, Sewers, & Drains a call today. We offer service you can count on, quality you can trust, and people who can make the difference.