Time To Drain The Pipes
Winterizing can help prevent a list of unwanted problems
By Klaus Reichhardt
Photos Courtesy Of Waterless Co., Inc.
Most camp administrators—especially those who live in colder areas of the country—know the drill well. By October of each year, it's time to winterize the pipes.
These veteran administrators may have learned from an unfortunate experience in the past that, when water is left in fixtures and pipes, it expands with wintry weather and may turn to ice. This puts stress and pressure on the fixture, the pipe, and the pipe connections, often causing damage, even rupturing the pipe. Expect a hefty plumbing bill should this happen.
To prevent this, the typical procedure to winterize fixtures and pipes is first, turn the water off at the pump or the water source. Next, open all the taps and leave them open. A closed tap can create a vacuum in the pipe if closed for a prolonged period. Conversely, the open tap allows any water in the pipe to drain out.
It is also recommended to flush toilets and urinals. This helps remove excess water from pipes as well. And the last step, depending on the plumbing in your facility, is to turn off the water heater and drain it.
Now, as far as plumbing is concerned, you're ready to close your camp for the winter months.
De-Winterizing Pipes
But what happens when camp reopens in the spring? What many camp administrators forget is there is an entirely distinct set of plumbing procedures they now must follow to de-winterize the pipes. The process is in many ways the opposite of the former and usually looks like this:
Turn on the water supply to the facility.
Turn the water heater on; make sure the water-heater drain is closed.
Turn on faucets and flush toilets and urinals. The water may sputter a bit; this is normal as the pipes become filled.
Check the plumbing air vents on top of the facility for leaves and debris. Known as vent stacks, they regulate air pressure, allow fresh air into the plumbing system, and release foul air. If leaves and debris are present, the vents must be cleaned to ensure they work properly.
Look—and listen—for leaks throughout the facility. Pipe fittings may need to be tightened after months of non-use.
Finally, there is one thing all camp administrators must do, and that is to check for odors in locker rooms, changing rooms, kitchen areas, and restrooms. A water leak in a basement or in a crawl space under the building may be causing these odors. In addition, a loose or broken pipe seal, a cracked pipe, or a U-trap that has dried up may cause the odors. The U-trap is the pipe under the sink. It is found under all drains connected to all water-using fixtures.
Although foul odors might merely seem like a nuisance, here is what you need to know: these odors are a warning. They are invariably fumes coming from a sewer. Typically, they contain a variety of pathogens, germs, and bacteria that can harm human health when inhaled—especially if those inhaling these fumes are children or seniors. If the fumes are left unchecked, asthma, headaches, nausea, and other illhealth effects can result. Administrators need to remove the source of the odors to protect the health of building users.
Addressing Foul Odors
If the odors result from cracked or broken seals or pipes, a building engineer or plumber will need to repair them. If your facility does not have an engineer on staff, it is time to call a plumber.
A plumber may go further than making the necessary repairs. A plumber may also inspect all visible pipes and connection areas, looking for potential trouble spots and repairing them to prevent problems in the future.
As for the U-trap drying out, you may be able to fix the problem without a plumber’s help. But it is imperative you not do the following:
Do not pour bleach, chemicals, or products made to unclog drains down the drain. These products contain ingredients that may interact with substances in the pipes, causing more fumes to be released.
Do not ignore the problem. Opening windows or installing odor-killing products are just cover-ups. The root cause of the odor must be addressed.
Instead, do the following:
Make sure the vent stack is open, clear, and operating correctly. The only way to accomplish this is to get on the roof and check it out.
Pour about two cups of water down all drains as soon as possible. While this is a temporary fix, it will fill the dried U-traps, blocking sewer odors from being released.
Pour a liquid primer in each drain. Different manufacturers market these products. They are sometimes called an "ever prime" or "ever primer." These liquids not only fill the U-trap to prevent the release of odors but also are not affected by hot or cold weather, and evaporate very slowly, making them effective for several months. Note: Many camp administrators add this step to their winterizing procedure. Adding a liquid primer to all drains right before the camp closes for the winter can help prevent this problem entirely.
If the odors continue from U-traps after these measures are taken, a plumber may be necessary. The odors may indicate pipes and fittings have become corroded. If that happens, there may be a leak in the U-trap, so even if it is filled with water or a liquid primer, it empties quickly. In such cases, the plumber will likely replace the entire U-trap.
What is most important is not to ignore these odors. View them as a health risk because that's precisely what they are.
Klaus Reichardt is CEO and founder of Waterless Co, Inc., Vista, Calif. Reichardt founded the company in 1991 with the goal of establishing a new market segment in the plumbing-fixture industry with water efficiency in mind. Reichardt is a frequent writer and presenter, discussing water conservation issues. He can be reached at klaus@waterless.com.