How to drain your cold water tank

Updated: 22 May 2012
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Turn off your oil or gas heating system
Heating controls
  • Make sure the mains water is turned off at the stopcock
  • Turn on all the cold water taps and flush the toilet several times. This will empty the cold water storage tank and stop the flow of water
  • If you have an open fire burning you should let it burn out and do not light it again until the burst pipe has been fixed
  • Turn off oil or gas heating systems and do not use again until they have been checked
  • Do not use the water heater as this may cause the hot cylinder to collapse
  • Do not turn on the water supply at the stopcock until the burst pipe has been repaired
  • If the water has come into contact with electrical fittings the electricity should be turned off at the mains
  • If you are going to be away from your home for more than a day or two during cold weather you should drain down the cold water system as described above.