When the temperature falls below 32 degrees F. (0 degrees C.) inside a house, there is a good chance that water supply lines will freeze. When water freezes it expands 9% and pipes can crack or burst. If a pipe cracks it may not show till the ice melts. If a pipe bursts, gushing water will immediately indicate that there is a major problem.
If you are planning to be away from the house or cottage during the winter months, winterize the plumbing system.
- Winterizing homes with hydronic or hot water heating systems.
- Draining water from plumbing supply lines in homes with municipal supplied water.
- Draining water from plumbing supply lines in rural homes on well water.
- See links below for more information on antifreeze and winterizing appliances, plumbing fixtures, furnace, CA, furnace humidifier, spray hoses, water softener, and giving your home or cottage that "live-in look" when you are gone.

WINTERIZING HOMES WITH HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEMS
Winterizing a home that is heated by a hydronic or hot water heating system is complicated. There are two ways to winterize this type of heating system. You either drain the entire system or fill it with antifreeze which could be expensive. This task is best left to the professionals.

DRAINING WATER FROM PLUMBING SUPPLY LINES AND WATER HEATER MUNICIPAL
Here are the steps to take for draining the water supply pipes in homes with water supplied by the municipality .
1- Turn off the main water supply from the municipality to the house.
2- Starting at the lowest level, open all taps, faucets and, if not done so already, hose bibs. Leave every faucet open. The hot water taps will keep running for some time till the hot water tank has emptied.
3- Turn off water supply to hot water heater. Temperature controls on gas water heaters should be set to the 'off' position. Close gas valve. For electric water heaters turn off the power at the distribution panel. Drain hot water heater by opening drain valve near the bottom of the tank.