When temperatures are at or below freezing, water pipes can freeze or break. Whether you rent or own your home, operate a business, or manage a multifamily property, there are steps you can take to protect your plumbing and reduce the risk of breaks. It's important to prepare your plumbing for winter before temperatures dip below freezing.
Multifamily and commercial properties often have specialized plumbing equipment and may need to take extra steps to protect plumbing systems. Automatic sprinkler systems, cooling towers, fire sprinkler systems, and swamp coolers can all be damaged if not winterized properly.
Wait—swamp cooler? If you have a swamp cooler and want to give it the cold-weather care it needs (or if you're just curious what a swamp cooler is!), we've got you covered.
What is a swamp cooler?
A swamp cooler, also called an evaporative air conditioner, works by taking warm outside air and pulling it through wet evaporative cooling pads. This has a cooling effect on the air, which is then blown into a workspace.
How to winterize your swamp cooler
The following tips will help you keep your swamp cooler in tip-top shape this winter:
- Safety first! Be sure to disconnect the electricity to the unit before servicing it.
- Turn off the water supply. As soon as the cooling season is over, shut off the water to the swamp cooler.
- Empty the water reservoir. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria, including Legionella (the cause of Legionnaires' disease). And frozen water in the basin can destroy components.
- Disconnect the tubing. Find the low point and drain any water left in the line. This will help prevent the water supply tubing from freezing and bursting during cold weather.
- Inspect before use. Be sure to inspect the unit when it's time to resume use in the spring or summer.
Learn more about preparing plumbing for winter weather
During freezing weather, any water pipe could freeze or break—whether it's part of a swamp cooler or not. You should take steps to prepare your plumbing before cold weather hits.
Not sure where to start? We've got you covered for that too.