Protecting your pipes during extended power outage

[Scott26]

During a extended power outage in the event backup heat sources are not enough I am looking for thoughts to prevent freezing damage. My current ideas are
-shut off city water supply outside of house with t handle tool
- drain pipes by opening lines
-use rv antifreeze in p traps


what am I missing?

 

[shibumiseeker]

When I built my house I added a valve and an air fitting to the supply side lines. Because I heat with wood and sometimes go away for several days it's important to me to not have to deal with freezing. I blow air through the lines with all taps open (and then leave them open) including the water heater and then antifreeze the drains/toilet.

 

[RAMBOCAT]

During the blizzard of '78 we put a small metal tub of burning charcoal under our crawlspace. We had a 36" height and plenty of wind was blowing through it. Of course we kept an eye on it all the time. I do remember our house was the only one on the block that didn't have the pipes freeze.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

When I built my house I added a valve and an air fitting to the supply side lines. Because I heat with wood and sometimes go away for several days it's important to me to not have to deal with freezing. I blow air through the lines with all taps open (and then leave them open) including the water heater and then antifreeze the drains/toilet.

That's a really good idea. I have a plastic water line that I put in from my house back to my garden that's only a foot or so deep and connects from a hose bib. I unhook that each fall and blow it out with my compressor, but I might just add a fitting to be able to blow out my house lines too, in case I need to. I guess, if a guy just put in a valve with a drain line on the water line just above the main shut-off, you could shut off the main, let it drain through the drain line, then put in some air at an outside faucet to blow out what doesn't drain out.

 

[Scott26]

Thanks for the ideas