Dewinterize Plumbing?
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Bob NH
In the Trades
"It's a house I'm buying (haven't closed yet)"[/I]
In that case there is more to it than "Dewinterizing", because there may be issues with equipment that are concealed by the fact that things aren't available to test. And you will be responsible for the cost to fix them afte you close.
I would test every element of the system. Every faucet, shower/tub, toilet, and drain. Run enough water to cycle the pump through several pressure cycles and be sure the tank is not waterlogged or damaged. Check the pressure gauge and pressure switch. Pump continuously to discharge at least 500 gallons of water to check the well.
Put at least 200 gallons to the septic tank. Around here (In Massachusetts) you can't sell a house with a septic system until it has been checked and certified as working. A new septic system will cost $10k to $20k.
In that case there is more to it than "Dewinterizing", because there may be issues with equipment that are concealed by the fact that things aren't available to test. And you will be responsible for the cost to fix them afte you close.
I would test every element of the system. Every faucet, shower/tub, toilet, and drain. Run enough water to cycle the pump through several pressure cycles and be sure the tank is not waterlogged or damaged. Check the pressure gauge and pressure switch. Pump continuously to discharge at least 500 gallons of water to check the well.
Put at least 200 gallons to the septic tank. Around here (In Massachusetts) you can't sell a house with a septic system until it has been checked and certified as working. A new septic system will cost $10k to $20k.
Northville for 40 years and South Lyon for 6. Just north of Ann Arbor.
Start by closing the main valve to the house and close the main drain at the pressure tank.
Assuming you have a submersible pump, just turn on the electric to the well and allow the pressure tank to fill.
Make sure all traps are in place. Take all aerators off the faucets..Close all stops and faucets faucets and/or prop up the toilet float valves .
Fill the water heater and at the same time open the hot water side at the laundry tub or you can go to the bath tub and open the hot there, so as to bleed all of the air from the water heater. When the water flows there close the faucet.
Turn the ele. on at the heater or light the pilot and start the water to heating.
Go to each faucet and release the air and then let the toilets fill, and come back to this site and ask additional questions because these guys are good.
Start by closing the main valve to the house and close the main drain at the pressure tank.
Assuming you have a submersible pump, just turn on the electric to the well and allow the pressure tank to fill.
Make sure all traps are in place. Take all aerators off the faucets..Close all stops and faucets faucets and/or prop up the toilet float valves .
Fill the water heater and at the same time open the hot water side at the laundry tub or you can go to the bath tub and open the hot there, so as to bleed all of the air from the water heater. When the water flows there close the faucet.
Turn the ele. on at the heater or light the pilot and start the water to heating.
Go to each faucet and release the air and then let the toilets fill, and come back to this site and ask additional questions because these guys are good.
Dewinterize
Ok. So I bought the house as a foreclosure and had to sign an "as is" clause. So if something is messed up with the well or plumbing, I'm ahhh...well, you know.
Anyway, I'm debating on getting a plumber in to dewinterize instead of trying it ourselves. I called one guy and he 'guessed' at $150-$250. Does that sound reasonable? It sounded like he'd never done it before so if I was going that route, I'd look for someone who has done it.
The stickers said it's been winterized since 11/20/05. The furnance and electrical have both been on the whole time. I peeked in the toilet and it's empty. There is a switch by the well pump that is turned off right now. What else should I look for to decide if it's worth us doing it or just calling in a plumber?
Yep, I'm a novice.
Thanks.
Ok. So I bought the house as a foreclosure and had to sign an "as is" clause. So if something is messed up with the well or plumbing, I'm ahhh...well, you know.
Anyway, I'm debating on getting a plumber in to dewinterize instead of trying it ourselves. I called one guy and he 'guessed' at $150-$250. Does that sound reasonable? It sounded like he'd never done it before so if I was going that route, I'd look for someone who has done it.
The stickers said it's been winterized since 11/20/05. The furnance and electrical have both been on the whole time. I peeked in the toilet and it's empty. There is a switch by the well pump that is turned off right now. What else should I look for to decide if it's worth us doing it or just calling in a plumber?
Yep, I'm a novice.
Thanks.
Be sure all faucets are closed and remove the airators.
Close the main valve coming into the house.
Turn on the well pump and check that the pressure comes up and stops.
Open the main valve a little and check for leaks as the system fills.
Let the water heater and toilets fill also and check that they shut off.
Go to each faucet and allow the water to flow slowly until the the air is gone then turn on full and run until the water is clear. Hot and cold.
Replace airators and turn on power to the water heater.
Repair any leaks you find, obviously.
Normal winterising of the DWV system is done with RV antifreeze that just gets washed/rinsed down the drain.
Pour 1 qt of water down floor drains and in washing machine drain.
Close the main valve coming into the house.
Turn on the well pump and check that the pressure comes up and stops.
Open the main valve a little and check for leaks as the system fills.
Let the water heater and toilets fill also and check that they shut off.
Go to each faucet and allow the water to flow slowly until the the air is gone then turn on full and run until the water is clear. Hot and cold.
Replace airators and turn on power to the water heater.
Repair any leaks you find, obviously.
Normal winterising of the DWV system is done with RV antifreeze that just gets washed/rinsed down the drain.
Pour 1 qt of water down floor drains and in washing machine drain.
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Michigan Dewinterizing of Foreclosed Houses
(Plumber1, I tried to get a quote from you in my post above but didn't do it right).
I too am in the process of dewinterizing in Michigan. I wish you luck. Sounds like you had more utilities remain operating. Glad spring is very close.
(Plumber1, I tried to get a quote from you in my post above but didn't do it right).
I too am in the process of dewinterizing in Michigan. I wish you luck. Sounds like you had more utilities remain operating. Glad spring is very close.
Pump Pressure
We followed your instructions and when it came time to turn on the pump, we didn't see anything happen.
How long does it usually take for the pump to get up to pressure?
We probably waited only a minute or two and turned it back off just in case we messed something up.
Thanks.
We followed your instructions and when it came time to turn on the pump, we didn't see anything happen.
How long does it usually take for the pump to get up to pressure?
We probably waited only a minute or two and turned it back off just in case we messed something up.
Thanks.
Do you know where the well and pressure tank are? In the ground or in the basement or a well pit?
Is the pump a submersible or is it a jet pump? Do you see the pump?
Make sure the main shut off valve is turned off when you turn the electric on.
Is the pump a submersible or is it a jet pump? Do you see the pump?
Make sure the main shut off valve is turned off when you turn the electric on.
Dewinterize
Yes, there is a visible pressure gage. Yes, it is in the basement.
Not sure about the rest of the details so I took pictures. I hope they upload OK.
Having problems uploading pictures...
Goulds Jet Pump. P/n: J04853 1/2HP.
Thanks again.
Yes, there is a visible pressure gage. Yes, it is in the basement.
Not sure about the rest of the details so I took pictures. I hope they upload OK.
Having problems uploading pictures...
Goulds Jet Pump. P/n: J04853 1/2HP.
Thanks again.
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Depending on age and condition it may or may not be working. I would go to a big box store and replace it then turn on the well pump and see what the pressure gauge does/reads. When you replace it turn on a faucet and be sure there is no pressure B4 removing it.
