The cottage season wrap-up has begun. The chores that go along with closing the cottage for the winter can last several weeks and involve a mix of outdoor tasks from restocking firewood supply, filling propane tanks, pulling boats from the water, and storing outdoor furniture.
Readying the water system for winter is at the centre of it all. It doesn’t necessarily mark the end of trips to the cottage but it does mark the end of running water which naturally makes life a little easier.
Shutting down the water system is a methodical job that isn’t very forgiving of mistakes. It’s very easy to leave the cottage and forget something, and it happens all the time according to Plumbtech Plumbing Inc., a Barrie-based company that provides plumbing services for cottagers from Simcoe County to Muskoka and Parry Sound areas.
The plumbing could have additional risk if more people have been using the cottage for extended periods of time. It can be hard to keep track of post-season use. If someone, for example, uses the cottage after the water system has been shut down and winterized, it could lead to plumbing problems later. For that reason, Plumbtech Plumbing advises taping the toilet seat down as a visual alert to prevent use.
Special attention is required for some fixtures to work properly in the spring. When draining the hot water tank, turn off the breaker as well as any switches, otherwise the heater element will burn out. Tape it shut and mark it “OFF” to prevent inadvertent use.
Turn off the power to the pump that supplies water to the cottage. Drain all the lines and leave all the taps, levers, or knobs, inside and out, open.
Flush the toilet twice. This will take most of the water out of the back of the toilet and the bowl. The remaining water needs to be sponged out. Also, disconnect the small water supply line at the side of the toilet to allow it to drain too, and reconnect before adding antifreeze to the tank and bowl. Then, tape the seat down to prevent inadvertent use.
Drain any appliances and add plumbing antifreeze where it’s required including sink and shower drains.
Drain the water purification and filtration systems. Some cottagers, depending on the model, remove systems with a UV light and store them at home for the winter months.
Drain the water pump. Some cottagers also pull the intake line from the water while others disconnect it from the pump. A tap inserted into the line at the shore will also release the water.
If the plumbing system doesn’t drain by gravity alone, the lines may need to be blown out with a compressor.
Cottages with a sewage pump will need to winterize with a final pump up to the septic bed before adding antifreeze. Turn off the power.
Some drain the line between the sewage pump and the buried septic tank and then add antifreeze. It keeps the line from freezing and it’s ready to go in the spring.
Make sure the breakers remain off and marked. Otherwise, pumps and motors may burn out.
It may help to make up a checklist to keep you on track.
However, if it all sounds like too much, contact Plumbtech Plumbing Inc. at 705-722-7209. Estimates are free.
Plumbtech’s experienced, skilled plumbers have been providing plumbing solutions for cottagers and homeowners living in the city or country, as well as businesses of all sizes since 1986. There is also a 24-hour emergency service.
