Winter Plumbing Tips

If you don’t already know find out where the main shut off valve is to your home (this will keep a small leak from turning into a big problem)
Report broken or missing shut off valve lids to the water department to keep from filling and freezing the valve
Look for drafts around pipes and fixtures and seal them
Have pipes insulated in areas that are not heated
On nights or long periods when the temperature is below freezing, leave the faucet or fixture furthest away from the meter dripping to help prevent pipes from freezing (Moving water is harder to freeze than water at a stand-still)

Clogged Kitchen Drains

Proper disposal of kitchen waste will keep sink drain clogs to a minimum.
Don’t pour grease down the kitchen sink.
Don’t wash coffee grounds down the sink, throw them out.
Be sparing with chemical cleaners, particularly if you have brass, steel, or cast-iron traps and drainpipes; some caustic chemicals can corrode metal pipes.

Clean pop-up strainers in the bathroom sink and the tub regularly. Lift out sink and pop-ups once a week and rinse them off.
Every few months, remove the overflow plate on a tub and pull up the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm. Remove accumulated hair and rinse thoroughly.
Clean floor drain strainers. Some tubs, showers and basement floor drains have strainers that are screwed into the drain opening. You can easily remove these strainers and reach down into the drain with a bent wire to clear out debris.

Turn off main shutoff valve.
Starting at the top floor, open all faucets, both indoors and outside.
When the last of the water has dripped from the traps, open the plug at the main shutoff valve if possible, and let it drain. You may have to have Crawford Mechanical come and do this small task.
To freeze proof the system, empty toilet bowls and tanks. Once emptied, replace them and fill with plumbing antifreeze mixed with water in the proportions specified for car in your climate.
Turn off power or gas to the water heater and open its drain valve.
Winterizing your plumbing is virtually a cost-free alternative to frozen pipes.