Draining your plumbing pipes is an inevitable part of being a homeowner. While it is not a frequent occurrence, the need for plumbing maintenance will arise at some point in your life. Problems involving your plumbing system often mean that the pipes need to be drained, which is why it’s important to be mindful of the signs, such as a loud banging of the pipes every time they are turned on or frozen pipes in the winter.
Furthermore, it’s critical to conduct draining properly to avoid making matters worse. You’ll need the right equipment and the proper tools, and you’ll also need to follow the right procedures.
Here is how to properly drain your home’s plumbing system:
1. Identify the issue
Different issues may arise with regards to your plumbing system. While draining is a general solution to most of them, some issues, such as leaks and clogged drains, will require more than draining to solve.
In oversight, plumbing issues, such as a water hammer, seasonal shutdowns, or major plumbing projects like constructing a new basement bathroom, will necessitate a draining of the entire pipe network.
2. Shut off the main water valve
Once you’ve confirmed that draining the pipes could resolve the problem, shut off the main water valve. Doing so will halt the flow of the water throughout the entire pipe network. You can only empty the whole system if there’s no water running through the pipes.
3. Open all faucets and flush all toilets
From the bathroom faucets to the laundry tub faucets, open every faucet in your house to allow air into the entire system, and drain the remaining water out. Afterward, flush all the toilets in every bathroom to empty the tanks.
4. Leave faucets open
This is especially when you’re going out of town for a while, and no one will be left at home, or if you’re draining the water off of your vacation home. Leaving the faucets open will ensure that no water or any form of liquid will build up inside the pipes. Any liquid that comes into the pipes will eventually get flushed out by the faucets, preventing any serious issue, especially during winter.
Also, the drain seal that prevents sewer gases from leaking can be removed due to evaporation from the drains. If you’re leaving the house for an extended period, be sure to block the drains and toilet bowls using plastic wraps or some used cloth. Covering the drains will keep the seal intact and prevent sewer gas from rising into your house.
5. Conduct the necessary repairs
If you’re draining your pipes to conduct repairs, you must ensure that the whole system is drained and there are no more substantial amounts of water running into the pipes. If so, proceed with the repairs. Once you’re done, you can refill the system by closing all faucets, opening the main water valve, and then turning them back on to let back the water into the whole pipe network.
Conclusion
While draining your plumbing system seems fairly simple, it’s still important to follow the proper procedures to avoid an escalation in your plumbing problems. As a result, you can save a lot of time and money. In any case, you can always hire a professional plumber to ensure that desirable results are achieved.
We provide affordable drain services in San Diego. If you’re looking for the best plumbers in town, get in touch with us right away.
