DIY Network

Winterizing your Toilet Ed shares a few easy steps to keep your toilet from freezing. From "Ed the Plumber" episode DETP-301

It's time to winterize the toilet. Ed Del Grande offers simple tips on getting the job done.

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The toilet is winterized differently than the other fixtures because you have a control called a ball cock, which lets the water into the tank. You have to completely drain the water out of this area.

1. With the system completely charged, hold down the flush handle (figure A). The water will drain out of the tank, and you'll hear the air coming through the pipes, which cleans out the ball cock. Hold it until all the water is out of the tank (figure B), and then let go of the handle. Finally, shut off the valve.

Figure A

Figure B

	Figure C
	Figure D

2. With the water out, it's time to add anti-freeze. Make sure you have on safety glasses because it can splash. Always use non-toxic anti-freeze rated for plumbing systems. Pour it into the tank (figure C)—not the bowl. Hold down the flush handle to flush the anti-freeze out into the bowl and drain the system.

3. By now all the water should be cleared from your water lines, but you do have to winterize your drainage system.

4. There's a certain part of a drain line called a trap. The trap is located underneath the drain of each sink and is meant to constantly hold water acting as a plug to prevent sewer gases from entering your home. You have to go to each sink, get plumbers anti-freeze and pour about a 1/2 cup down each drain (figure D).

Tip: Don't neglect your tubs and showers; even though they're in the floor, they can still freeze up. Pour a small amount of plumbers anti-freeze into the fixtures.

5. Finally, check the water heater one last time for water, and then disconnect the compressor.