A Complete Guide to Winterizing Your Lake Keowee Vacation Home’s Plumbing

Freezing Weather Cracked this Pipe in the Foxwood Hills Community

Quick Answer: To properly winterize your Lake Keowee vacation home, you must shut off the main water supply, open all faucets to drain the pipes, completely drain your water heater (after disconnecting its power or gas supply), and pour non-toxic RV antifreeze into all toilet bowls and drain traps. Proper winterization prevents catastrophic burst pipes during freezing Upstate SC winter nights.

If you own a secondary residence or vacation home around Lake Keowee, you already know that Upstate South Carolina winters can be unpredictable. While daytime temperatures might feel mild in Seneca, overnight freezes in January and February can easily cause water inside your pipes and water heater to freeze, expand, and burst.

At All Hot Water LLC, we’ve seen firsthand the thousands of dollars in water damage that a frozen, cracked water heater or burst pipe can cause. Whether your property is in Seneca, Salem, Clemson, Walhalla, or anywhere within 25 miles of the lake, here is our expert, step-by-step guide to winterizing your vacation home’s plumbing.

Step 1: Shut Off the Main Water Valve

The most critical step in winterizing your home is stopping the flow of water. Locate your main water shut-off valve—usually located in the basement, crawlspace, or near the street at the water meter—and turn it to the "off" position. This ensures that even if a pipe does crack, water will not continuously flood your home while you are away.

Step 2: Drain the Plumbing System

Once the main water is off, you need to clear out the water currently sitting in the lines.

• Start at the top floor of your home and turn on all faucets (both hot and cold), including showers and bathtub taps.

• Work your way down to the lowest floor, ending with the lowest exterior hose bibs or basement sinks.

• Leave all faucets in the "open" position. This relieves pressure in the lines and allows trapped water to escape.

Step 3: Drain and Protect Your Water Heater (Crucial!)

As Seneca’s local water heater experts, All Hot Water LLC cannot stress this step enough. A full, freezing water heater tank is a ticking time bomb.

For Traditional Tank Water Heaters:

1. Turn off the power: For electric water heaters, flip the breaker at the electrical panel. For gas water heaters, turn the gas valve to the "off" position. Never drain a water heater while it is still powered on, as this will burn out the heating elements.

2. Connect a standard garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.

3. Run the hose to a safe drainage area (like a floor drain or outside).

4. Open the drain valve and pull the Temperature & Pressure (T&P) relief valve at the top of the tank to let air in, which allows the water to drain completely.

For Tankless Water Heaters:

Tankless systems require specific winterization steps, often involving blowing out the lines with an air compressor or utilizing built-in freeze protection if the unit is kept powered on. If you have a tankless unit in your Oconee or Pickens County home, we highly recommend calling a professional to ensure the heat exchanger isn't damaged.

Step 4: Winterize Toilets and Drain Traps

Even after draining the pipes, water remains in the curved traps under your sinks and in your toilet bowls.

• Flush all toilets to empty the tanks.

• Pour a half-cup of non-toxic, plumbing-safe antifreeze (often labeled as RV antifreeze) into every toilet bowl, toilet tank, sink drain, and shower drain.

• Note: Never use automotive antifreeze, as it is highly toxic and dangerous to local water systems and septic tanks.

Step 5: Maintain a Safe Indoor Temperature

Do not turn your HVAC system completely off. Set your thermostat to at least 55°F (12°C). This minimum temperature uses very little energy but provides a crucial buffer to keep the ambient temperature in your home's walls and floors above freezing.

Serving Seneca and the Greater Lake Keowee Area

Lake houses often have unique plumbing setups, including well water systems, dock-side plumbing, and outdoor showers. If you are unsure about winterizing your property, don't leave it to chance.

At All Hot Water LLC, we provide professional water heater maintenance, repair, and full-home plumbing winterization services to residents in:

• Seneca, SC

• Salem, SC (including Keowee Key)

• Clemson, SC

• Walhalla, SC

• Westminster, SC

• Townville & Fair Play, SC

Need Help Winterizing Your Water Heater?

Protect your investment before the next Upstate cold snap. Call All Hot Water LLC today at 864-214-6712 or book an appointment online at www.allhotwaterllc.com to schedule your professional winterization service.