Winterization/Dewinterization

Plumbing:

It is to the homeowner's advantage to winterize any residence home that will be unoccupied during the cold weather months. This will prevent the pipes from freezing and breaking if there is a loss of heat for any reason. During the winterization process, pipes, fixtures and appliances, where applicable, are drained of all water. Compressed air is used to further eliminate water from the pipes. Non-toxic antifreeze is then added to traps where water may not drain out completely. It is recommended that cabanas and fountains, which are typically unheated, be winterized annually in the fall. During the de-winterization process, water is restored to all areas, fixtures and faucets are checked for function and leaks and the water heater is filled and activated.

Heating:

Water based heating systems can also be winterized to prevent the heat pipes, radiators and/or baseboard from freezing. This involves replacing some of the water in the system with non-toxic antifreeze. The water is then tested with a refractometer to ensure that there is adequate protection to prevent freezing and bursting. Heating systems are not de-winterized but the system should be tested every two or three years to verify that the protection level has not been compromised for any reason.