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PropDoctor

How to Shut Off Water and Drain Pipes — Scott, Louisiana

Complete checklist with climate-adjusted recommendations for Scott, Louisiana

Overview

Turn off the water main, open all faucets to drain, flush toilets, and add RV antifreeze to traps. Essential before leaving a home unheated in winter.

DIY FriendlyModerate~90 min
Scott note: Rarely necessary for freeze protection, but draining pipes is recommended if a home will be vacant for months to prevent stagnant water, bacterial growth, and corroded valves.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Locate and close the main water shut-off valve

Find the main shut-off valve — typically in the basement, crawl space, utility room, or near the water meter outside. Turn the valve clockwise (gate valve) or perpendicular to the pipe (ball valve) to close it completely. If the valve is stuck, do not force it — call a plumber.

2

Turn off the water heater

For gas water heaters, set the dial to 'pilot' or 'vacation' mode. For electric water heaters, turn off the dedicated breaker in the electrical panel. This prevents the heating element from burning out when the tank is empty. See the companion guide 'How to Turn Off Your Water Heater' for detailed steps.

3

Open all faucets to drain the lines

Starting at the highest floor, open every hot and cold faucet in the house. Include bathtub/shower valves, utility sinks, and outdoor hose bibs. Let them run until the water stops flowing. Leave the faucets open so air can enter the lines and allow complete drainage.

4

Flush all toilets and remove tank water

Flush every toilet to empty the tank. Hold the handle down to drain as much water as possible. Sponge out any remaining water from the tank. Do not empty the toilet bowl yet — you will add antifreeze in the next step.

5

Open the water heater drain valve

Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater and route the hose to a floor drain or outside. Open the drain valve and let the tank empty completely. This can take 20–30 minutes for a standard 40-gallon tank.

6

Add RV antifreeze to all drain traps

Pour 1–2 cups of non-toxic RV antifreeze (propylene glycol — NOT automotive antifreeze) into every drain trap: sinks, tubs, showers, floor drains, and the washing machine drain. Pour 2–3 cups into each toilet bowl. This prevents the water in the traps from freezing and cracking the pipes.

7

Drain the dishwasher and washing machine

Run the dishwasher empty for one minute to pump out residual water, then cancel the cycle. For the washing machine, set it to the spin/drain cycle to empty any remaining water. Disconnect the supply hoses and let them drain into a bucket.

8

Blow out sprinkler and irrigation lines (if applicable)

If you have an underground sprinkler system, use an air compressor (set to 50–80 PSI — do not exceed the system rating) to blow water out of each zone. Run each zone for 2–3 minutes until only air and mist come from the sprinkler heads.

What You'll Need

Tools

  • - Garden hose
  • - Adjustable wrench
  • - Sponge or rags
  • - Air compressor (for sprinkler systems)
  • - Bucket

Materials

  • - Non-toxic RV antifreeze (propylene glycol, 2–3 gallons)

Cost Estimates

DIY Cost

$15–$30 for RV antifreeze

Professional Cost

$150–$350 for a plumber to winterize an entire home

Safety Tips

  • Never use automotive antifreeze (ethylene glycol) — it is toxic to humans and pets. RV antifreeze (propylene glycol) is non-toxic and safe for plumbing.
  • Turn off the water heater BEFORE draining the tank. Heating an empty tank destroys the heating element or damages the gas-fired heat exchanger.
  • Be cautious when opening the water heater drain valve — the water may be scalding hot. Point the hose away from people and pets.

When to Call a Professional

Call a plumber if you cannot locate the main shut-off valve, if the valve is seized and will not close, if you have a complex radiant heating system, or if your home has a well pump or water treatment system that requires special winterization procedures.

Pro Tip

Label every shut-off valve in your home with a permanent tag before you need them in an emergency. Knowing where the main, water heater, toilet, and washing machine shut-offs are can save thousands in water damage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to turn off the water heater before draining, which damages the heating element.
  • Draining faucets but forgetting the dishwasher, washing machine, and ice maker lines.
  • Using automotive antifreeze instead of non-toxic RV antifreeze in drain traps.
  • Not opening faucets to allow air into the lines, which prevents complete drainage.
  • Leaving the shut-off valve partially open, which allows a trickle of water to enter and freeze in the lines.

Local Plumbers in Scott

ProPortal
Hargrave's Plumbing, LLC

Hargrave's Plumbing, LLC

Lafayette, LA

(337) 344-3920
0

Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain Service

Lafayette, LA

(337) 362-1371
0

The Plumbing Warehouse

Lafayette, LA

(337) 981-7860
0

Benny Prejean Service Co Inc

Lafayette, LA

(337) 237-3167
0

Founding Member

Premium spot in Scott

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Scott Housing Market

Median Household Income

$54,220

Median Home Value

$155,700

Median Rent

$1,002/mo

Homeownership Rate

75%

Population

8,348

Median Year Built

1987

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

Fair Market Rents — Scott

Studio

$779/mo

1 Bedroom

$898/mo

2 Bedroom

$1,019/mo

3 Bedroom

$1,301/mo

4 Bedroom

$1,581/mo

Source: HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents — Lafayette, LA HUD Metro FMR Area

Related How-To Guides

How to Turn Off Your Water Heater

For gas: set to pilot or vacation mode. For electric: turn off at the breaker. Drain the tank if the home will be unheated.

How to Set Your Thermostat to Prevent Freezing

Set to 55°F minimum in cold climates when away. Consider a smart thermostat with alerts so you know immediately if the temperature drops.

Navigation

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