Be careful with the freezing of the pipeline.
Be careful with the freezing of the pipeline.
Other languages
During the cold season (winter, December~February), the temperatures become below freezing levels and the water inside the pipes in the room pipeline may start to freeze.
※The risk of the pipeline being frozen is higher during the nights, strong snowstorms or when leaving the room for more than a day. Check the weather forecast, or prepare before leaving the room and drain the water in the pipes specially in these cases.
Once the water pipeline is frozen, you will not be able to use essential appliances in your room, such as the toilet, bathroom, washing machine and faucets, causing extra costs and inconvenience.
During the cold season, even after calling a specialized company to defreeze the pipeline, they may not be able to be scheduled for several days. The best course is preparing beforehand by checking the weather forecast for cold days below freezing temperatures and draining the pipeline.
Follow the rules below for the drainage procedures.
※Click on the desired subject link for the full information.
【 Standard draining of the pipeline 】
・If the room has the automatic drainage panel (Northern Region/Hokkaido)
・For rooms without the automatic drainage panel:
1.Rooms that has the manual drainage valves installed inside the room.
2.Buildings that have the manual drainage valve outside the room.
【 Draining the Water heater 】
・If the water heater is installed inside of the room.
・If the water heater is installed outside the room.
【 Others: Drainage for all the pipeline and room equipment 】
・For the northern/Hokkaido region.
General instructions PDF file (Japanese):
・General instructions for the cold season - 冬期利用のご案内.pdf (1 MB)
Others: Drainage for all the pipeline and equipment (Northern/Hokkaido region)
When the forecast reports cold weather, please perform the drainage of the room pipeline.
・ Kitchen.
①Pipeline drainage procedure (Northern Regions/Hokkaido).
The automatic drainage panel are installed in some buildings in Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures.
※The pictures shown are examples and the equipment may differ for each building.
①Automatic Drainage Instructions:
Start the draining through the automatic drainage panel.
Press the 「押」 button on the panel, changing the position of the light from the "open flow"【通水】 lamp to the "drain water"【水抜】 lamp.
（The automatic drainage panel is located on the wall close to the bathroom or the water heater.）
⇒ Follow the step ② below.
②How to drain the water heater:
You may also drain the water heater pipes. Select the type installed in your room:
・Water heater installed inside the room.
・Water heater installed outside the room.
② Draining the water heater (Installed inside the room).
②Draining the water heater (Installed outside of the room).
If you do not drain the water pipes on the heater, the water inside may freeze during the cold seasons. Once the water freezes, it will expand and may cause the pipes to rupture.
Be sure to drain the water heater when it gets cold or when leaving the room for some time.
※Check here, how to open the door below the water heater.
【 How to drain the water from the water heater: 】
Open the door below the water heater (You will be able to see the water and gas pipes).
Parallel to the pipe: Open flow. Crossed to the pipe: Closed.
② Open the two screws on the bottom part of the water heater to start the draining.
※You may use a plier to loose the screws if they are too tight.
※The drainage procedure is over.
※Be sure to tighten the screws back so the water doesn't leak when it flows again
※While the water flow is closed, you may also open the faucets for the sinks and bathroom to completely drain the pipes.
※Do not forget to put the screws back so the water will not leak when it flows again.
Bathroom ・ Sink 【Northern regions / Hokkaido】
Instructions:
１．Open the water valve and the screws below the valves to drain the water from the pipes.
２．When you open the valves the water will drain, you may prepare a container to collect it.
※You may use a plier to loose the screws, if they are too tight.
※The position of the draining screws may differ depending on the type of sink/tap.
【 Bathtubs that recycle the water used: 】
There are multiple models of bathtub heaters. Please check the instructions manual for the draining.
① Models with anti-freezing function:
The models with anti-freezing will keep the water from freezing as longing as it is on.
This type of heater will use electricity to keep the water from freezing. Never turn the bathtub heater off during the winter/cold season.
② Models with a water pump:
Some models will keep circulating the water through a pump to prevent freezing.
When storing the water, keep the water level at least 5 cm above the pump entrance.
Kitchen 【Hokkaido・Northern Region】
Instructions:
１．Open the tap valves to let the water flow. Prepare a container to gather the water and open the cabinet below the kitchen sink to see the white water registers and the drainage screws.
２．Remover the screws to let the water in the pipes drain. Use the container to not spill the water.
※Use a plier to loose the screws if they are too tight.
※You don't need to do anything for the white registers valves.
Toilet 【Hokkaido・Northern Region】
For the toilet bowl, if you can not keep the room warm enough for it to not freeze, mix an anti-freezing agent to the water.
【 Instructions: 】
To drain the water tank, pull the flush lever and press the button on the side to let all water flow.
When leaving the room for a long period of time:
When you are not able to drain the water in places like the toilet bowl, use an anti-freezing agent.
Do not remove the washlet power plug from the outlet.
Regarding the water inside the toilet bowl:
The water inside the toilet bowl is not drained as it blocks the air from the sewage to enter the room.
If you leave the water still for too long and do not warm the room, the water in the bowl may freeze. You may use a anti-freezing agent when leaving the water still for too long.※In Hookaido and cold regions, you can find anti-freezing agents in convenience stores, supermarkets and home centers.
*Mix the anti-freezing agent in the water inside the bowl.
How to drain the toilet washlet 【Hokkaido・Northern Region】
Regarding the drainage of the washlet:
To avoid the washlet being damaged by the water being frozen, drain the water inside when not using it for long periods.
※The drainage method will change for each manufacturer, please check the instructions manual for the washlet installed in your room.
【Drainage procedures (General example) 】
① Drain the toilet water tank.
※For the water tank drainage instructions, click here.
② Press the "Clean the nozzle" [ノズルそうじ入/切] on the washlet controller.
③ Prepare a container and use a screwdriver to remove the screw from the drainage part.
⑤ Press the "Clean the nozzle" [ノズルそうじ入/切] again, to return the nozzle to its position.
⑥ Return hose to the water supply pipe.（Turn the concave and convex parts in the joint to lock it)
⑦ Insert and close the screw again in the washlet drainage parts.Be sure to fit the screw properly, otherwise it will leak when opening the water flow again.
⑧ Be sure to leave the washlet on and the water temperature of the water and seat on high.
Washing machine【Hokkaido・Northern Region】
Instructions:
Detach the hose of the washing machine from the tap and open the valve.
(Use a container to collect the water that will flow).
How to drain the pipeline with the drain valves inside the room.
You may use the draining valves to manually drain the pipeline when an automatic panel is not available.
【 Manual drainage valves 】
※The drainage valves are usually installed inside the bathroom or close to the washing machine.
※Check some examples below. The location can be different for each building.
Follow the instructions below to start the drainage.
① Close the valves (multiple valves means each part of the room).
② Remove the screws on the water taps (sink, kitchen, bathroom) to drain.
After draining the water taps, drain the water heater to remove all the water from the pipes.
【 Bathroom 】Remove the screws to drain the water.
※After draining the water, insert the screws back.
【 Kitchen 】
Open the cabinet below the sink, prepare a container and open the screws below the valves to drain the water.
【 Toilet tank 】Pull and hold the flushing lever until the tank is empty.
How to drain the water heater.
You also need to drain the water heater in the room.
・Instructions for the water heater inside the room.
・Instructions for the water heater outside the room.
① Draining valve installed outside the room.
If the drainage valve is installed outside of the room, you must close it before starting the drainage inside.
When the forecast shows below water freezing temperatures for the following day, prepare the pipeline before nighttime by draining it until you start using again by the morning.
※When the draining valve is installed outside, you may find it on the ground floor covered by a blue round cover, by the corridor, next to the entrance, the water heater or on the other side of the building by the veranda. (The ground floor will have the valve for all units above side by side. i.e.: 101-201-301 next to each other)
② On the sinks inside the room, open the tap to drain the remaining water.
After no water is left in the pipe, close the tap.
The drainage procedure will be completed.
When you want to use again the water, check if all water taps are closed and turn the drainage valve to the "open" (開ける/出る) side.
How to drain the water heater.
You also need to drain the water heater in the room.