Winterizing Your Cottage Water System: Step-by-Step
What you’ll need: bucket, towels, adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, wet/dry shop-vac (helpful), air compressor (optional), RV/marine non-toxic antifreeze (propylene glycol—do not use automotive antifreeze).
1) Shut off and isolate your supply
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Turn off the main water valve where water enters the cottage.
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If on a well, switch OFF the well pump breaker. If on a lake/seasonal line, close the lake intake/curb stop if applicable.
2) Drain the system from the low point
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Locate your lowest drain (often a drain cock near the pressure tank or where the main enters). Attach a hose if possible and open to drain.
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Open all fixtures (hot and cold) from top floor to bottom: sinks, showers, tubs, laundry tub. Leave them open.
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Flush all toilets and hold the lever to clear as much tank water as possible.
3) Water heater & pressure tank
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Turn off power to electric water heater (breaker) or set gas heater to Pilot/Off.
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Close the cold-water inlet to the heater, open a hot tap to break vacuum, then drain the water heater via the drain valve.
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If you have a pressure tank, open its drain and empty it fully.
4) Appliances & lines
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Disconnect and drain: washing machine hoses, dishwasher line, fridge/ice-maker line, water filters (remove cartridges and empty housings).
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Outdoor faucets & hoses: disconnect hoses, open exterior taps, and let them drain. Leave them open.
5) Optional: Blow out lines (best for long runs/cold snaps)
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Using a regulated air compressor (35–50 psi), blow out each fixture line (hot and cold) in turn, starting farthest from the drain and moving closer, until only air mist appears. (Skip if you’re not comfortable—thorough draining + antifreeze in traps still protects most cottages.)
6) Protect traps & fixtures with non-toxic antifreeze
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Pour RV/marine non-toxic antifreeze into:
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All P-traps (sinks, tubs, showers): ~1 cup each.
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Floor drains & laundry standpipes: ~1–2 cups.
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Toilets: shop-vac remaining water from the bowl and tank, then add enough antifreeze to cover the trap in the bowl (~1–2 cups) and ~2–3 cups in the tank.
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Appliances: add a small amount to dishwasher and washer sumps per manufacturer guidance (or run a short “drain” cycle after adding).
7) Final checks
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Close all drain cocks you opened in Step 2 and 3.
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Label the main valve and breakers (“OFF for winterized cottage”) to prevent accidental re-pressurizing.
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Leave interior cabinet doors open (under sinks) if limited heat remains—to allow air circulation.