Winterizing Your Kinetico Water Softener – A Step-by-Step Guide
As the days grow shorter and the chill of winter approaches, it’s essential to prepare your home for the freezing temperatures that lie ahead. With the Farmer’s Almanac predicting a potentially harsh winter in 2023, taking steps to winterize your plumbing and water system is paramount. One critical aspect of this preparation is ensuring that your Kinetico water softener system remains protected during the coldest months.
Here are the recommended steps for winterizing a Kinetico Water Softener:
1. Draw Brine Solution: Begin by drawing brine solution into both the main and remote tanks. Crucially, do not backwash the brine solution at this stage. This step is essential for protecting the system.
2. Remove Tank Heads: To safeguard your system from potential damage due to freezing water, remove both the main and remote heads. Afterward, siphon the water from the tanks, making use of tubing down the riser tube for thorough water removal. If your tanks contain gravel in the bottom, be cautious and avoid tipping them.
3. Drain the Kinetico Tanks: To prevent any water from freezing within the Kinetico Tanks, ensure that you drain as much water as possible from them. This step is crucial to maintain the integrity of your system during the winter.
4. Empty the Brine Drum: Drain all the water from the brine drum. Additionally, remove any wet salt. If you intend to reuse the salt, store it in 5-gallon buckets with lids to keep it clean. Remember to remove the brine valve and ensure that all water is eliminated from the brine tank and the well housing the valve.
5. Store Components: Given the potential complexities of the Kinetico valve and brine valve, it’s highly recommended to store these components in a heated room during the winter months. This precaution is vital because these components may house water in compartments that are difficult to access, and it’s best not to take any chances.
Additional Tips for Winterizing Your Water System
Winterizing your water system involves more than just preparing your softener for the cold. Here are some additional tips to protect your plumbing and water system:
Use Heat Tape: Wrap your pipes and water system with heat tape to prevent freezing.
Pipe Insulation: Invest in quality pipe insulation to protect your plumbing from the cold.
Heating Solutions: Consider using a heat lamp or ceramic heater with a thermostat to maintain a consistent temperature in critical areas.
Heater Blankets: Use heater blankets to shield your system from the wind and frigid temperatures.
Garage Systems: If your water system is in the garage, keep the doors closed as often as possible. For extreme cold, use a heat lamp or wrap blankets around the system.
Salt Tank Protection: The salt tank can freeze if exposed to sub-freezing temperatures. Place a piece of plywood or a floor mat under the tank to insulate it.
Crawl Space Concerns: If your water system is located in a crawl space, ensure that doors and vents are closed. Monitor the temperature to avoid freezing.
Let Water Drip: In extremely cold weather, allowing water to drip from several faucets (hot and cold) throughout the house helps keep the water moving, reducing the risk of freezing.
Exterior Piping: Insulate any exterior piping or house bibs to protect them from freezing.
When temperatures start to plummet, these steps and tips will help protect your equipment and prevent costly repairs. Winterizing your plumbing and water system is a simple and effective way to ensure everything runs smoothly throughout the season. Stay warm and keep your home’s water systems in optimal condition, no matter how cold it gets.
If you’re in the Tennessee area we can help winterize it for you just give us a call at 865-986-4234.
