How do I stop pipes freezing in the winter?

Question

Hey all,

I've got a summer cottage I just bought, and I'm concerned about the pipes freezing in the winter while I'm not there. What's the best solution here? Should I just shut off the water to the cottage and drain down the water in the pipes?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

We have the same situation and every year we drain the pipes and toilets. Then we pour antifreeze in. We aren't attached to the mains, we have a septic tank.

Answer 2

The idea of shutting off the water is fine as long as all the pipes are graded to a drain so the water does drain out of the pipes.
open all faucets after turning off the water and see how much drains out. If the water system is in the attic it may drain if the water system is in the basement it will not drain unless there is a low point drain in the basement.
You can also hook an air compressor to the water lines to blow the water out of the system, but using an air compressor may contaminate your water system due to the air compressor storage tank. The tank on an air compressor builds up condensation and causes rust in the tank. This condensation can carry the rust and other contaminates into your water system, so this is not the best idea.
You can also heat trace your water system. You can buy self regulating heat trace at home depot. you install this along the water lines hot and cold then insulate the lines. this system is very good and is only 110 volts. it uses very little electricity and turns itself on and off hence the name self regulating.

Answer 3

Yes! I'd suggest you turn the water off and drain the pipes. And as an extra precaution, you can go to your local Lowe's or Home Depot and buy the pipe covers. They usually come with a small installation kit (just a screw and bolt) for pipes outside of your home, like the ones you hook hoses up to. You can buy pipe covers for the pipes underneath your sinks too. I'd suggest you apply these before the chill begins though.

Answer 4

I remember a friend of mine had a cottage and every fall he went to drain the pipes and put a special anti-freeze mixture in to keep the inside of the pipes from rusting as well as keeping them from freezing.

Answer 5

Use a RV winterization liquid...you can get it just about anywhere. Drain all the pipes you can, and pour this in the traps of sinks ans showers. If the previous owner had no problem with frozen pipes, then he must have made the pipes drainable.

Answer 6

I would drain all the pipes and if possible, hook up a fitting that you can attach an air compressor to the pipes and blow the water out of the lines. We do it with a couple water manifolds at work, which are PVC and outside.

Answer 7

You could drain the pipes, or go to your hardware/lumber yard etc. and buy the insulation wrap that can be wrapped around pipes to keep them from freezing.

Answer 8

Drain the pipes and wrap them with insulation. You can, if you wish, use a winter prep kit that allows you to pour an " antifreeze" in your pipes also.

Answer 9

I am surprised nobody mentioned wrapping the pipes in insulation. That and leaving the water at a drip is what I've always heard works.

Answer 10

You can let the water drip a very little while you sleep. You can also wrap the pipes in something as simple as a towel.