Draining your home’s plumbing pipes may not be a common task, but there are various reasons why you might need to do it. One common reason is to address a water hammer issue, where pipes create loud banging noises when water is turned on or off. Draining the system and refilling it helps eliminate air in the pipes, reducing the occurrence of water hammer.

Another situation where draining the plumbing pipes is necessary is when you need to shut down a seasonal property for the winter. This is particularly crucial in colder climates to prevent frozen pipes, which can lead to extensive water damage if they burst. Draining the pipes ensures that no water remains in the system to freeze and cause potential problems.

In some cases, draining the plumbing pipes becomes necessary during major plumbing repairs or additions to the system. For example, when installing a new bathroom in the basement, the existing pipes may need to be drained to facilitate the connection of new pipes. This prevents water from flowing out when the pipes are cut and ensures a smooth installation process.

Fortunately, draining your home’s plumbing pipes is a relatively straightforward process. Here’s a general overview of how to do it:

1. Turn off the main water supply: Locate the main water shutoff valve in your home, usually located near the water meter, and turn it off to stop the flow of water into the house.
2. Open all faucets and fixtures: Go through your home and open all faucets, including both hot and cold water taps, as well as any other fixtures that use water, such as showers or bathtubs. Make sure you also flush the toilets to drain the water from the tanks.

1. Drain the water heater: If you have a water heater, turn off the power supply or gas valve to it. Then, connect a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the heater and open the valve to allow the water to drain out. Be cautious as the water may be hot. You can direct the hose to a drain or outside the house.
2. Open drain valves: Locate any drain valves in your plumbing system, such as those on boiler systems or radiator heaters, and open them to allow the water to drain out completely.
3. Drain pipes at the lowest point: To ensure all the water is drained, open the drain valves at the lowest point in your plumbing system. This may be a basement sink or an outdoor faucet. Let the water flow until it stops completely.

1. Close all faucets and fixtures: Once the water has drained from the system, close all the faucets, fixtures, and drain valves that you opened earlier.
2. Refill the plumbing system: With all the drains closed, you can now turn on the main water supply valve to refill the plumbing system. Start by turning on the faucets one at a time, starting from the lowest point in your home, and let the water flow until it runs smoothly without any air sputtering.

1. Check for leaks: After refilling the system, check for any leaks or dripping faucets. Address any issues promptly to avoid water wastage and further damage.

By following these steps, you can successfully drain and refill your home’s plumbing pipes when needed. Remember to exercise caution and seek professional help if you encounter any difficulties or have complex plumbing systems.