Comprehensive Guide: How to Properly Drain Your Home’s Plumbing System

A tropical beach beckons. Your suitcase is packed, you’ve switched off your work phone, and you’re about to leave for the airport. However, there’s one important step you need to take before you leave town. 

Draining your plumbing system is an important way to make sure your home is protected when you’re away. Besides preventing burst pipes when you’re on vacation, this step is a key safety precaution before you perform major repairs. When temperatures start to drop, draining your plumbing system also helps with winterization. 

At Elkhorn Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, we offer trusted, local plumbing services for all of your maintenance needs. We’ll cover the most important reasons for draining your system, how to do it, and common safety issues. If you’re struggling to navigate this maintenance task on your own, you can reach out to our skilled plumbers for around-the-clock support.

Why and When You Should Drain Your Plumbing System

As a homeowner in the Denver and Littleton area, there are a few important situations when you should drain your plumbing system to prevent water damage and plumbing repairs. 

You Want To Prevent Burst Pipes

One of the most important reasons to drain your plumbing system is to prevent burst pipes. Water expands as it freezes, which is why supply lines can burst in cold climates. 

This expansion happens because of an interesting change to the molecular structure of the water. Normally, liquid water molecules are close together and experience a lot of movement. During the freezing process, these molecules become a part of a rigid, hexagonal lattice. The molecules are stuck in a position that is farther apart, which causes the expansion.

You Need To Prepare for Major Plumbing Repairs and Renovations

If you are about to repair your plumbing system or start a major home renovation, you should switch off your water supply and drain your system. Sometimes, pipes and fixtures can become damaged during repairs, so it’s better to be cautious.

You Are Getting Ready Before a Vacation or Vacancy

Whether you’re going on vacation or waiting for a new renter to move in, there are situations where your property may remain unoccupied. When this happens, there is no one present to respond if a water pipe bursts or a leak occurs. To prevent a potential disaster, it’s essential to drain your system in advance.

You Want To Change the Fixture

If you are going to be replacing a fixture or doing a plumbing modification, you need to shut off your water supply lines at the main shut-off valve. Then, you should drain your system so that nothing can leak out while you are working on the plumbing remodeling project.

You Are Concerned About an Underlying Issue

Sometimes, homeowners may experience clogs, sediment buildup, or other issues in their plumbing systems. In these situations, it can help to flush and reset the system.

Tools and Preparations You’ll Need

Before you can begin draining water from your plumbing, there are a few important steps you need to complete. First, you should gather together the following tools.

• Bucket
• Towels or rags
• Garden hose if you’re draining an appliance
• Basic wrench
• Flashlight

There are also several safety considerations you should keep in mind. Your water heater and appliances should be turned off. If you’re draining your water heater, it should be switched off at the breaker for an added level of protection.

Before you start any plumbing project, you should always make sure that your main shut-off valve is working properly. This valve is designed to stop water from flowing into your house, which is why it is so important in an emergency. It’s also essential for draining your system, so a non-functional valve can ruin the entire process.

Besides checking the shut-off valve, you should also make sure your home is ready. You should have safe draining surfaces. Clear away boxes, furniture, or any items in the surrounding area that could get wet if a problem occurs.

Then, make sure you can easily reach your basement or the lowest level of the house. You’ll need to ensure a safe exit point for the water, so it doesn’t back up. 

Finally, let your family members know that you are draining the system. You don’t want anyone switching the shut-off valve on in the middle of the drainage process.

Step-by-Step Drainage Process

To help you drain water from your home’s plumbing systems, we’ve gathered together the essential step-by-step guide to the drainage process.

Step 1: Shut Off the Main Water Supply

The first step is to locate your main shut-off valve. In most cases, it will be located near the water meter or near where the supply line enters your home. This valve must be turned off completely to prevent additional water from entering your system.

Elkhorn Tip: This is a good opportunity to label your shut-off valve. If an emergency occurs in the future, it helps to know where important plumbing components are located. 

Step 2: Open All Faucets and Fixtures Starting From the Top

Once the shut-off valve has been switched off, you should begin turning on all of the faucets and fixtures in your home. Start at the highest level of the building. Open up your sink faucets, shower taps, and other fixtures so that all of the water in the system can flow out and air can enter.

After you’ve completed the top levels of your home, you can do the same in your lowest levels. You should also flush your toilet tanks and bowls until they are empty. 

By working top to bottom, you can use gravity to remove the water from your system. Eventually, this results in a plumbing system that is completely drained of water.

Step 3: Drain Water Heaters and Appliances

When you fully winterize your system or perform major repairs, you should also drain other equipment. For instance, you may need to drain your filtration systems, water heater, and any appliances that are linked to a water source. 

To drain your water heater, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, these instructions will start by having you turn off the water heater at the breaker. Then, you’ll need to connect a garden hose to the water heater’s drain valve. Once the valve has been opened, you can safely drain the tank.

Elkhorn Tip: If you have an older water heater or you’re uncertain about how to do it, don’t take any chances. To avoid causing potential damage to the water heater, your family, or your home, call one of our professional plumbers for help.  

Step 4: Leave Fixtures Open and Check for Residual Water

Once you’ve completed the previous steps, don’t immediately switch the system on again. Instead, you should leave your faucets and valves open so that any residual pressure and remaining water can escape. 

If you are going to leave your home empty for a while, you’ll need to be proactive about sewer gases. Normally, P-traps form U-bends in your pipe and hold water. This water blocks gases from entering your home. If a pipe isn’t used for a long time, the P-trap’s water dries up and sewer gases are able to get inside your rooms. To prevent this issue, you can use antifreeze in the trap or block the drain.

Elkhorn Tip: This step is an important one to prevent water pockets, vacuum issues, and pressure-related problems. 

Refilling and Restoring Your Plumbing System

Once you’ve completely drained your system, you can use the following steps to safely turn the water back on in your house. 

• Close all of the faucets in your home except for one on the lowest level.
• Then, slowly open the main water supply valve. If it is an old valve, it’s a good idea to open it up halfway at first.
• Once a steady flow is emerging from the lowest faucet in your home, you can close the faucet. Then, open up faucets in higher areas one at a time. This purges the air from the line. You should run the faucets until the water runs clean and the sputtering noises stop.
• If you drained your water heater, allow it to refill completely before you turn the breaker back on.
• Flush the toilets in your home. Turn on appliances. 
• Confirm that all of the water-based appliances in your home are working properly. If not, give us a call for emergency repairs.

Elkhorn Tip: If a problem appears, it will normally occur fairly quickly. As a result, you should monitor for leaks and pressure changes during the first hour after restoring water to your home.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls To Avoid

To ensure your plumbing system is working at its best, there are a few common pitfalls you should watch out for.

• Not Opening the Upper Faucets First: If you forget to open the upper faucets before the lower ones, it can lead to poor drainage. It can also cause air traps to form.
• Forgetting To Turn Off Your Appliances and Heaters: Before you drain your system, you need to make sure your appliances and water heater are switched off. To ensure your safety, this should be done at the breaker panel.
• Not Leaving Your Faucets Open: If you forget to open your faucets, it creates a vacuum effect. This causes increased stress on your home’s plumbing, which can lead to faulty components and emergency repairs.
• Ignoring Outdoor Plumbing Systems: You should always drain outdoor plumbing systems, hose bibs, and secondary systems at the same time. In areas like Colorado, freezing temperatures can cause outdoor plumbing systems to burst if they aren’t winterized properly.
• Turning Your Main Water Supply on Too Fast: When you turn your water supply back on, you should do so slowly. This is especially important if you have older plumbing systems. Otherwise, it can lead to a water hammer effect and valve damage.

Elkhorn Tip: Never take risks. If you don’t feel confident draining water heaters, dealing with shut-off valves, or maintaining an older plumbing system, call in a professional instead of risking costly damage. 

When To Call a Professional

Even with the best maintenance, repairs will eventually be necessary. Whether you are struggling with bathroom plumbing issues or need to drain your kitchen plumbing, it helps to have a professional on hand. We recommend calling in one of our experts if you are experiencing any of the following situations.

• You have an older plumbing system or a complex layout.
• It’s impossible to access your main shut-off valve.
• You are uncertain if your main shut-off valve is functioning properly. 
• Your plumbing system involves multiple zones.
• You’re performing a major remodeling project.
• Your pipes are corroded.
• You need to deal with outdoor plumbing systems and irrigation.

Routine plumbing maintenance helps to prevent major repairs and unexpected breakdowns. At Elkhorn Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, we can help with all of your plumbing maintenance needs. We can perform a full system drain and refill, so you don’t have to. 

As a part of our plumbing maintenance, we can inspect your valves, flush your water heater, and ensure your system is fully winterized. If repairs are needed, we can recommend the best course of action.

Don’t risk the safety of your home’s plumbing systems. Give our team a call today and schedule your next plumbing maintenance appointment. 

Learn More About Draining Your Plumbing System

Draining your plumbing system is a simple task, but it is an easy one to forget. By remembering to do this task regularly, you can save money, avoid water damage, prevent plumbing repairs, and protect your home. 

As a Colorado homeowner, you shouldn’t wait for a crisis to happen to care for your plumbing system. With the help of our experienced plumbers, you can take care of your plumbing systems and avoid costly repairs. 

To help local residents care for their homes, we’ve compiled a free checklist that covers how to drain your plumbing system. You can also reach out to our team for a professional inspection or routine maintenance services. With the right steps and trusted partner, you’ll be ready for whatever season or project comes your way.