Protect Your Plumbing Before the Freeze

When temperatures drop below freezing, your plumbing system can be at risk—even if you don't live in your property year-round. Frozen water can expand inside pipes, potentially causing cracks, burst pipes, leaks, and costly water damage.

Whether you're heading south for the winter, closing up a vacation home, storing your RV, or preparing a mobile office or work trailer for cold weather, taking the right precautions can help protect your plumbing.

The key to preventing frozen pipes is preparing before freezing temperatures arrive. Here's what you need to know about winterizing your home, RV, or work trailer.

How to Winterize a Home Before Leaving for the Winter

Heading south for the winter? If your home will be vacant for weeks or months, your plumbing needs special attention. Even if you leave the heat running and set the thermostat above 65°F, a power outage, heating system failure, or unexpected plumbing leak can lead to serious problems.

For homes that will be unoccupied for an extended period, we recommend considering a complete plumbing winterization, particularly if you won't have someone checking on the property regularly.

1. Shut Off the Main Water Supply

If appropriate for your home's plumbing system, turn off the main water supply before leaving. This can help limit water damage if a pipe leaks or breaks while you're away.

Keep in mind that shutting off the water alone won't prevent pipes from freezing. Water remaining inside pipes and plumbing fixtures can still freeze and cause damage.

2. Drain the Plumbing System

A complete winterization may require draining water supply lines, toilets, toilet tanks, and the water heater. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific plumbing equipment.

Some systems may require additional steps to remove water from vulnerable sections of piping, valves, and fixtures. Because every home's plumbing is different, professional assistance can help ensure the system is properly winterized.

3. Disconnect Garden Hoses and Protect Outdoor Faucets

Before the first hard freeze, disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets. Shut off and drain outdoor faucet lines where possible, and protect vulnerable hose bibs using appropriate winterizing methods.

Leaving a hose connected can trap water and increase the risk of freeze damage to the faucet and connected piping.

4. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Pipes in unheated areas are particularly vulnerable to freezing. Check plumbing in basements, crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls.

Install appropriate pipe insulation where needed, and address drafts that allow cold air to reach plumbing. Remember that insulation slows heat loss but does not generate heat, so additional protection may be necessary during prolonged freezing weather.

5. Protect Traps, Drains, and Plumbing Fixtures

Water can remain in sink traps, shower drains, toilet bowls, and other plumbing components even after supply lines have been drained.

Depending on the system, plumbing-compatible, non-toxic antifreeze may be needed to protect vulnerable traps and fixtures. Use only products approved for the intended application, and never use automotive antifreeze in plumbing systems.

6. Don't Forget Your Well or Septic System

If your home relies on a private well, pressure tank, pump, or septic system, check whether those components need additional winterization.

Exposed pipes and aboveground equipment can be vulnerable to freezing. Follow the equipment manufacturer's recommendations and consult a qualified professional if you're unsure how to protect your system.

What If You're Keeping the Heat On?

If you choose to maintain heat rather than fully winterize the plumbing, keep the indoor temperature at a safe level—generally at least 55°F—and arrange for someone to check the property regularly.

However, heating alone cannot guarantee protection during extreme cold, a power outage, or a heating system failure. Pipes in unheated areas may freeze even when the rest of the house remains warm.

For an extended absence, consider which approach makes the most sense for your property: maintaining heat with regular monitoring or having the plumbing professionally winterized.

How to Winterize Your RV

Putting your RV away until spring? Before temperatures drop, make sure you protect its entire plumbing system.

RVs contain a network of water lines, pumps, tanks, valves, and fixtures that can be damaged by freezing temperatures. Because much of this plumbing may be located beneath floors or in exterior compartments, it can be especially vulnerable during winter storage.

Follow these steps to prepare your RV for cold weather.

1. Disconnect the Water Supply and Drain the System

Disconnect the city-water hose, drain the fresh-water tank, and open the designated low-point drains according to your RV manufacturer's instructions.

Removing water from the system is an important first step, but some lines and components may still retain water.

2. Winterize the Water Heater

Turn off the water heater and allow it to cool before draining it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If your RV has a water heater bypass, use it as directed during winterization. This can help prevent unnecessary antifreeze from entering the water heater tank when the system is designed for that procedure.

Never drain or service a hot, pressurized water heater.

3. Protect Water Lines

Use the winterization method specified by your RV manufacturer. Depending on the system, this may involve using compressed air at the specified pressure or circulating non-toxic RV/marine antifreeze through the plumbing.

Make sure vulnerable valves, fittings, and water lines are addressed. Do not assume that draining the main tank removes all the water from the system.

4. Protect Sink and Shower Drains

Water can remain in sink and shower P-traps, which can freeze and damage plumbing components.

Protect these areas using the method recommended for your RV, including an appropriate RV plumbing antifreeze where required.

5. Empty Holding Tanks and Protect Valves

Empty the fresh-water, gray-water, and black-water systems as applicable, following your RV manufacturer's instructions.

Pay attention to drain valves, fittings, and other components that may retain water. Proper winterization helps reduce the risk of damage to tanks and wastewater plumbing.

6. Check Filters and Other Components

Water filters, cartridges, and housings can retain water even when the rest of the system has been drained.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for removing, draining, or protecting these components before storing your RV.

Important RV winterization tip: Only use products specifically approved for RV plumbing. Never use automotive antifreeze in a drinking-water system, and never operate a water heater until you've confirmed it is properly filled and ready for use.

If you're unsure whether your RV's plumbing has been fully winterized, consult an RV service professional before freezing weather arrives.

How to Winterize a Work Trailer or Mobile Office

Work trailers, mobile offices, and temporary jobsite facilities can be easy to overlook when preparing for winter. However, any trailer with running water, a restroom, or a kitchenette can experience frozen pipes and water damage.

Whether your trailer will sit unused until spring or remain operational throughout the winter, its plumbing needs a plan for freezing temperatures.

1. Shut Off the Incoming Water Supply

If the trailer will be taken out of service, shut off the incoming water supply and disconnect temporary water hoses or connections where appropriate.

If the trailer must remain in operation, make sure its water supply and exposed connections are properly protected.

2. Drain Exposed Water Lines

Inspect water lines beneath the trailer, exterior connections, and plumbing located in unheated compartments.

Drain vulnerable lines according to the system's design and manufacturer instructions. Water can remain trapped in low points, valves, and fittings, so simply shutting off the supply may not be enough.

3. Protect Sinks, Toilets, and Other Fixtures

If the trailer will be shut down for winter, drain its plumbing fixtures and protect components that may retain water.

Pay special attention to sink traps, toilet valves, and any plumbing connected to exterior walls or unheated spaces.

4. Winterize Water Heaters and Pumps

If the trailer has a water heater, booster pump, or pressure system, follow the manufacturer's instructions for draining and freeze protection.

Make sure the process accounts for vulnerable connections and components that may hold water.

5. Protect Drain Connections and Wastewater Systems

Inspect exposed drain connections and wastewater holding tanks, if present.

Drain and protect these components according to the system's requirements and applicable site procedures. Remember that wastewater plumbing can also contain water that may freeze.

6. Keep Operating Trailers Protected

If your mobile office or work trailer needs to remain operational throughout winter, maintain appropriate heat and insulate vulnerable plumbing.

Monitor indoor temperatures and exposed plumbing during extreme cold, and establish a plan for power outages or heating system failures.

Don't assume that shutting off the water is enough. Water trapped in pipes, fixtures, valves, and tanks can still freeze and cause expensive damage.

Why Winterizing Your Plumbing Matters

Whether you're protecting a permanent residence, a vacation property, an RV, or a mobile work trailer, winterizing your plumbing before freezing temperatures arrive can help prevent:

• Frozen water supply lines
• Cracked or burst pipes
• Damaged faucets, valves, and plumbing fixtures
• Water heater and pump damage
• Leaks and unexpected water damage
• Costly repairs and disruptions when you're ready to use the property again

The right winterization process depends on the plumbing system, the property's location, how long it will be unoccupied, and whether heat will be maintained throughout the winter.

When in doubt, consult a qualified professional to help determine which steps are necessary for your particular setup.

Get Your Plumbing Ready for Winter with Catons Plumbing, Drains & Water Cleanup

Don't wait until temperatures drop below freezing to think about protecting your plumbing.

Whether you're preparing your home for an extended winter getaway or looking for ways to protect vulnerable plumbing before the next cold snap, planning ahead can help you avoid unnecessary damage and repairs.

Need help preparing your plumbing for winter? Contact Catons Plumbing, Drains & Water Cleanup for professional plumbing service and advice.

We're here to help you prepare for the cold!