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How Do You Drain Water From a Faucet?

Published in Plumbing 2 mins read

You drain water from a faucet by opening it.

While the above is the most literal answer, often "draining water from a faucet" refers to removing all the water from the pipes leading to the faucet, often for plumbing repairs or to prevent freezing. Here's how you accomplish that:

Steps to Drain Water from Plumbing Leading to a Faucet:

  1. Shut Off the Main Water Supply: The most important first step is to turn off the main water valve to your home or the specific section of plumbing you are working on. This valve is typically located near the water meter. Turning the water off prevents more water from entering the system.

  2. Open All Faucets: Starting with the highest faucet in your home and working down, open all faucets. This includes sink faucets, tub/shower faucets, and any outdoor faucets. Opening all faucets allows air into the plumbing system, which is crucial for water to drain effectively.

  3. Drain low points: If you have drain valves at low points in your plumbing system (often near the water heater), open them to help drain the system.

  4. Flush All Toilets: Flush all toilets in the house to empty the tanks and bowls.

  5. Leave Faucets Open: Keep the faucets open until the draining process is complete. You may only get a trickle; that's perfectly normal.

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