Lynn Cabin Winterizing Process, plus extra notes
(last updated on 11-23-2013)
  1. Winter Preparation (time required is about an hour, because the system drains slowly):
    1. Shut-off Hot Water Tank Power Switch.
    2. Shut-off the outside water supply valve (located outside at the city water meter).
    3. Open the following:
      1. The outside drain tap (located in the crawl space).  Please just let this drain into the crawl space, as the back-pressure from hooking-up a hose will prevent the lines from draining thoroughly.
      2. The Kitchen Sink hot and cold.
      3. The shower to half-way open, and lower the shower head to the floor.
      4. The bathroom sink hot and cold.
    4. Flush the toilet, and hold the flush lever down to get most of the water out of the tank.  Next, use a plumber's friend to plunger out most of the water from the bowl.
    5. Put about a cup of anti-freeze (ethylene glycol - RV Antifreeze is best) in the following:
      1. The kitchen sink drain.
      2. The shower drain.
      3. The bathroom sink.
    6. Put about a pint of anti-freeze in the following:
      1. The toilet bowl.
      2. The toilet tank.
    7. Close the following:
      1. The Kitchen Sink hot and cold.
      2. The shower valve, and replace the shower head to it's hanger.
      3. The bathroom sink hot and cold.
    8. Plug-in the Radiant Heater in the bedroom area (the one with a clock Timer).  It should be set for a couple of "on-periods" at a temperature setting of three (3).
    9. Lock all the windows and sliding door and shut the drapes.
    10. Leave the porch lights ON, for security.
    11. Lock up the front door.
    12. Close the outside drain tap.  No worries about it still slowly draining; this is just the hot water tank siphoning off.  By this point, an expansion volume of air in the hot water tank has been established.
  2. Use after the cabin has been Winterized:
    1. Turn-on the outside water supply valve (located outside at the city water meter).
    2. Go inside and bleed the air out of the system by turning-on the valves at the two sinks and shower.  Make sure that you have clear water running (no air pockets) coming out of all taps.
    3. Flush the toilet a couple of times.
    4. Turn-on the Hot Water Tank Power Switch.
  3. Spring, Summer, and Fall Preparation:
    1. Shut-off Hot Water Tank Power Switch.
    2. Add a dash of bleach to the toilet bowl.
    3. Shut-off the outside water supply valve (located outside at the city water meter).
    4. Plug-in the Radiant Heater in the bedroom area (the one with a clock Timer).  It should be set for a couple of "on-periods" at a temperature setting of three (3).
    5. Lock all the windows and sliding door and shut the drapes.
    6. Leave the porch lights ON, for security.
    7. Lock up the front door.
  4. Use after the cabin has been locked during Spring, Summer, and Fall:
    1. Turn-on the outside water supply valve (located outside at the city water meter).
    2. Go inside and turn-on the Kitchen Sink Hot water, to make sure that you have clear water running (no air pockets) coming out.
    3. Turn-on the Hot Water Tank Power Switch.
  5. Septic Tank:
    1. These items may be flushed-down the toilet:
      1. Things which you have eaten first.
      2. Toilet paper.
    2. These items may NOT be flushed-down the toilet:
      1. Paper towels.
      2. Kleenex.
      3. Sanitary napkins, etc.
    3. Use the minimal amount of detergent you need to wash dishes or do hand laundry.