Winterizing a Cottage/Cabin

[@gcorcoran1188]

I’m new to the cottage world so this is much appreciated. Excellent step by step instructions with some additional tips I never would have thought about. Best video I’ve seen on this topic. Many thanks. 👍👍

[@Thatuptownguy]

You should do more videos. You are great at explaining everything.

[@chiquita683]

Most helpful vid on KZbin. Thanks

[@camamoutback]

thank you .... I just bought a 2nd home that will have to be winterized.. there are several vids on the same subject but yours is the best and far more comprehensive..thanks again..

[@Spencerbuildsit]

Jim- good video. If you don't mind, a couple of things I'd add. I like to set the compressor at about 80psi, just below the blow off setting for the T+P valve mounted on the side of the water tank. Then leave the noisy thing outside, tied to a hose bib. Most water tanks are floor mounted. Bring a long hose and drain them outside. I like to close the drains and let the air build pressure. Then open the faucet to pop any water laying in low spots. Washing machine? To me it's crucial to check the boiler antifreeze with test strips. Too low? Call a plumber. For beginners, mention that a forced air system doesn't need that... Also boiler antifreeze is VERY different than RV antifreeze!

[@tyreynolds6211]

Much appreciated Jim ,,, I’m headed to the camp we just purchased 4 months ago to winterize for the first time

[@barrykesh1269]

Jim Great vid. I do my house in MA every year and perform the same details as you. I laughed at the way you cleaned out the main pipe below the pressure regulator. I do the same with and old bilge-pump. I add a little RV fluid down that pipe just in case. I also add a little RV fluid to the bottom of the hot water heater tank. Thank you again ---- you really know your business. Barry K

[@bryantross3532]

Thank you Jim for being so thorough

[@johnl.4089]

Thanks Jim. Great video and I appreciate your attention to detail and clear delivery. We have had a cabin in Lake Tahoe (Elev. 6,000 ft.) since 1964, and only recently, have begun to have issues with our water supply lines freezing and for the first time ever, a toilet freeze up and crack. I'm going to go over your video with my brother-in-law so that either one of us can shut down the cabin for the winter.

[@chuckr8683]

Best video on this subject I have seen. Hopefully no split pipes in the Spring.

[@miaccount1130]

Thank you Jim! I liked the method of blowing out thru the hot water heater too. That is an excellent tip. Your video really helped me winterize my cabin in the Sawtooth Mountains where temps get as low as -35 on a frequent basis. If I don’t shut down properly, and something breaks, it’s impossible to get a repair guy up here!

[@Dylan2996oct]

Excellent video, extremely well done and very informative. I've winterized my cottage for many years now and still learned a few new things in this video. Thank you!

[@donalexander7149]

Well done.

[@bradlafferty]

Darn good tutorial! You explained each process clearly and provided the reasons why. Thanks.

[@tommccurnin524]

Great Video! Very thorough. Thanks for your time and effort.

[@tomlynx2008]

Very thorough! Excellent video and thank you for all the tips.... I especially liked the method of hooking up to the hot water heater so as to get the air pressure to both the hot and cold water lines simultaneously....

[@tnijoo5109]

I learned so much!!! Thank you! Awesome video!!

[@winnith]

Thanks Jim. This was so helpful!

[@johnhierbaum2838]

Great video

[@gregfoy3479]

Nice job on Vid- Clear -step by Step process Thanks

[@sillyworm]

Thank you! Now that it's very difficult to even get someone to do this procedure..let alone do it reasonably.up from $150 ..now $300+ I'll be doing our place myself this year.

[@maxgolaz1]

Many thanks - a great walkthrough

[@aaronwiens3294]

Super helpful! Thank you Jim!

[@johnevegas]

Excellent!! Great video.

[@Sogal60]

That's a lot. Great video. Its still relevant in 2021.

[@RoyDu812]

Great video, I have a washing machine so I will probably do it the same as the dishwasher by pushing air through the fill cycle and run Anti freeze through the rinse cycle

[@toknowlj]

nice video - I use a shop vac to get the water out of p traps and the toilet residual water - then rv antifreeze as you show I wish I had seen a video like yours - i learned my methods from the plumber that did my place years ago. my places also have a pump house and I drain that system too - [living in the back woods] the water tank is a great pressure tank [around 30 to 40 psi] and any little air compressor does fine. thank you for your video

[@Conservchick]

Awesome info. Well presented and very thorough. Thanks Jim.

[@mikelewis220]

Thanks -- I'm still using our local plumber, but this video will help me someday, I'm certain

[@skunkedagain]

great job, very helpful

[@jeffreybryant921]

Thanks Jim, you da man!!

[@coreycheng9926]

Thank you! Very thorough

[@jdram58]

Hey good video very thurough James in Wishek ND I think I need the air coupling to hose fitting other wise I only have the car tire type fitting which means I have to hold the fitting and cant check all the sinks while blowing out the pipes. I know I bought some just trying to find where I put them. Or Ill have to buy some more air fittings.

[@Caoucaren]

Very helpful thank you

[@mr.b3591]

Thank you, great job !

[@thomaswoods60]

Thanks Jim!

[@lsmft9576]

Great video. Nice. Very thorough. Thanks!

[@marshallamplification60TSL]

Thanks, very helpful.

[@johndagastino7900]

Best video on winterizing I have found . Great job

[@andrewjohnston245]

This is a good video. I am wondering how to prepare a sewage holding tank and pump for freezing conditions. The pump is for relaying sewage to a septic tank higher than the cottage plumbing. Do you have a video that covers this subject?

[@marycoffey4800]

thanks for this, helped a lot.

[@TDurkin543]

Great video (although audio was extremely low in some portions). Hope it works as this will be my first winterization!

[@buddystone9721]

Is there any water in the water pipe underneath the house above froze level?

[@gregbrooks9546]

Jim, Do you drain all the water out of the toilet and leave it empty. I used a shop vac and sucked all the water out and then filled the bottom with rv antifreeze. Is that ok.Also I have a toilet in the basement that is 7 feet under the ground, do I need to do that as well. Thank you

[@davidaltherr587]

Very thorough ty

[@ptech88]

Most supply stores have a fitting that will go from 3/4 hose bib to 3/4 npt. Then bush down to 1/4 and install air fitting of your choice. I think it’s easier than the hose rig he is using

[@davidaltherr587]

Thanks 😊

[@rickhinman4192]

Jim - when you hooked up the air to the water heater drain to blow air through the system, your outside faucet was still open. Wouldn't the air just leak out that faucet and not really build up 30 pounds of pressure in the lines? Thanks for the great video - Rick Hinman - Erie, PA

[@geyser3445]

Very informative using DIY tools. Do you need to remove the little bit of water left in the toilet tank?

[@geyser3445]

Never mind...I see you poured some antifreeze in the tank.

[@gregbrooks9546]

Jim, Will a 2.5 gallon compressor with a 2.0 cfm at 90 psi work on winterizing water pipes

[@Icutmetal]

Don’t overthink it.

[@dathuynh1789]

Very educated video

[@ShanonT12]

Thanks Jim, We sprinkle moth balls and drier sheets in and around all soft goods (sheets/blankets in bags) and in soft chairs/couches. We also set mouse traps/poison in strategic places.

[@sillyworm]

I put rat poison down one year...we get chipmunks...NOT a good idea.A raccoon somehow came in..ate it all..made a mess.Smelled that rat pioson.I usually just leave green antifreeze.We cleared out every mouse w antifreeze.Not a single turd in the Spring.

[@MyCHAARLIE]

Great video Jim.... if you have antifreeze in you furnace pipes is there anything you need to do to other than check the antifreeze strength? What about a tankless water heater?

[@Sonogirl]

Can I turn the water off and drain the faucets and be ok without using the air pressure part? Also I heard that I need to place seran wrap on toilet bowls and seal up sinks to prevent bugs. Is that accurate and safe with the antifreeze?

[@HermesTresmegestus]

whats providing the pressure at minute 3:30 or so, when you open all the faucets? Is it just residual pressure from the expansion tank? Or did you pressurize with the compressor?

[@travisc8598]

Nice video, you do not cut any corners which is good to see!

[@wildwoodtop]

using windshield washer to winterize washing machine

[@rubendfernandez4747]

Tk máster tks

[@johnholmes4363]

Hi Jim I'm John a first year appreciate How do you do the pricing on winterizing a cottage? Do you go by the number of fixtures?

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

How will the boiler keep the house from freezing if the water is drained?

[@benbbuxton]

The house will be unoccupied and will probably hit freezing temps.

[@Spencerbuildsit]

missy- boilers are a closed system and "should" not need any makeup water. If left on, then while a good idea, there is less need to drain the domestic side of the house. Just shut off the main. Make sure you have a Low Water Cutoff safety switch piped into the boiler loop. Stops the boiler if you develop a leak. IMPORTANT! spill a few drops of boiler water onto antifreeze litmus test strips to check boiler antifreeze concentrations. Boiler antifreeze is NOT the same as the RV this author uses.

[@modelrailroader5619]

The power, hence the heat, is being turned off. The boiler will need to be winterized too.😊

[@SalA-mz9bh]

It’s easier to let everything freeze and replumb the house

[@jeffreyschmiedeck4254]

What about a washer ?

[@JohnJohn-ls3mn]

Does the washing machine have water in it and how would you get the water out of the washing machine?