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How Do You Winterize Plumbing in a Vacant House?

During winter, days seem shorter as the cold starts to spread.

May 05, 2026
How Do You Winterize Plumbing in a Vacant House?

During winter, days seem shorter as the cold starts to spread. Before the cold sinks in, it's essential to ensure that your plumbing is properly closed up. The last thing you want is to experience plumbing damage like burst lines as you approach spring. That's why it's vital to winterize plumbing in a vacant house to mitigate plumbing problems when you move in. Mr. Rooter Plumbing has a team of experienced and skilled plumbers who can help you protect your plumbing during this chilly season. Our team of experts guarantees top-notch plumbing service, saving you from the cost and mess of dealing with repairs.

Our Customers Reviews

Larry R.

Howell Township, NJ

It was a late Saturday night. We had a super stubborn clog in some old galvanized pipes. Mr. Rooter send out Phil. Phil was great! He found the problem pretty quick. With determination and professionalism he final got it cleared out. I would recommend Mr. Rooter and Phil to anyone! He even cleaned up. We are so happy we choose Mr. Rooter!

Rose Bernard

Red Bank, NJ

We had a plumbing emergency and found Mr. Rooter while frantically searching for a 24-hour plumber. We feel like we hit a gold mine. Not only did we get a timely response. Everyone at Mr. Rooter was friendly, professional, competent and went above and beyond. Our plumber, Phil, was extremely helpful and gave us tips we could use moving firwars. Not to mention, the cost was extremely reasonable.

Joseph Chis

Hillsborough, NJ

Had sewer water backup in toilet and tub. Received callback as promised and arrived early. The tech determined we needed the main line to be cleared. He quickly located the opening and had us cleared in minutes. Very happy with the service. I was not prepared for the fee but it was an emergency.

Christopher Cox

Little Silver Township

Plumber, Phil, came out on short notice on a Saturday night and fixed our issue quickly, professionally and courteously. I contacted a different, well known plumbing company right before Mr. Rooter. The receptionist was rude and they didn’t call me back to say they couldn’t make it until after Phil left! The Mr. Rooter receptionist was very nice and they called me back quickly. I’m glad they did.

Debbie Dimitrion

Colts Neck, NJ

I just wanted to say James did a great job at my house. Excellent service, professional and very nice. Thank you so much for helping me with my plumbing problem. Did wonderful job.

Rachel Turunen

Jackson Township

I was very happy that I went with Mr. Rooter’s. The service was very quick and up front. Jessie James was very helpful answering my questions and replacing my hot water heater. He was pleasurable to do business with. If another problem arises in my home, I will be using this company again.

William Holden

Brick Township, NJ

A thorough, professional, pleasant experience. I had a back-up in the 50 year-old pipes of my new home. I called Mr. Rooter to have them locate the blockage, snake the line, and then use their video snake to get a visual of the integrity of the pipes. I’m glad that I called and will use them again for future needs.

LarJ MarJ

Oakhurst, NJ

You get what you pay for. Edwin Robles of Central NJ educated me as a 1st time homebuyer on why and what he was repairing, prevention, PROMPT,(on a sunday at that!) clean, knowledgeable, super professional but DOWN TO EARTH and at a REASONABLE PRICE! Sewer pipes unclogged and main water line fixed. I was no longer crying once job was thoroughly executed. After all $#@* $tinks but somebody has to do it and I HIGHLY recommend him and this company for a job well done. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Margie Rafferty-Criscione

Ocean Township

Absolutely lovely office staff! I always knew when the repair person was coming. Lorenzo our repair guy was awesome, I really don't think there is anything he can't do. He looks young, but don't let that fool you! So happy all the repairs are behind us. We really just did a one-stop shopping and decided to have everything we've put off fixed because it was such a tremendous experience!

How Do You Winterize Plumbing in a Vacant House?

Tips to Winterizing Plumbing in a Vacant House

As you plan to close a house for winter, it's advisable to onboard the expert plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing for quality winterizing of your plumbing. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, here are some of the tips to help you winterize plumbing in your vacant house.

  • Outdoor Spigots

The first step requires disconnecting all the fixtures and hoses before repairing leaks in your spigots as winter sets in. Although leaks during summer can quickly go undetected, they can easily become a potential hazard when frozen. If there's a leak in your plumbing, the experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing can ensure your plumbing doesn't have any leaks before shutting off the inteal valve that leads outside. It's also essential to allow all the fixtures to drain for several hours to avoid further deterioration of your plumbing during winter.

  • Irrigation System

The next step involves tuing off the main valve to your sprinkler or irrigation system and shutting off all valves that prevent backflow. If you are not conversant with all the various valves and their location in your home, Mr. Rooter Plumbing has got you covered. Our qualified plumbers will assess your entire plumbing and irrigation system and ensure that all the valves are off so that you can quickly drain water from your irrigation lines.

  • Toilets and Water Heater

Once your main valve is closed, it's essential to flush the toilet and ensure it's entirely emptied. Since it's difficult to completely drain all the water from the bowl and lines, we recommend pouring antifreeze to deal with any standing water in your toilet.

When it comes to your water heater, things are a bit different. After tuing off the electric or gas power supply and water leading to your appliance, you should ensure that all the water is drained. The plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing will connect a hose to your drain valve, ensuring that all the water is removed before full-blown winter weather.

  • Drain Water Pipes

After closing the main water supply to the house, open all the sinks to allow water to clear out of the lines. After all the water flows out, you should pour antifreeze in all drains to prevent standing water from freezing inside the pipes. For more information about winterizing your plumbing or exceptional plumbing repair service, contact the expert plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing and enjoy nothing short of excellence.

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