Patent ID: 6321773
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: E03B,Y10T

Abstract:
In a water system for a habitable structure comprising first conduit means operatively communicating with a source of water, a water pressure tank assembly, wherein said first conduit means communicates with said water pressure tank assembly as to be generally upstream thereof, a sink assembly, said sink assembly comprising drain means for draining water from said sink assembly to associated drained water receiving means, second conduit means, wherein said second conduit means communicates with said water pressure tank assembly as to be generally downstream thereof, wherein said second conduit means comprises first water valve means, an additional tank for heated water, third conduit means communicating with said second conduit means and with said additional tank, fourth conduit means communicating with said additional tank for conveying water from said additional water tank to said sink assembly, wherein said sink assembly further comprises second water valve means and first faucet means, wherein said second water valve means is effective for completing or terminating communication between said fourth conduit means and said first faucet means, wherein said sink assembly further comprises third water valve means, fifth conduit means communicating with said second conduit means, wherein said third water valve means is effective for completing or terminating communication between said second conduit means and said first faucet means, fourth water valve means operatively connected to and in communication with said additional water tank, fifth water valve means operatively connected to and in communication with said water pressure tank assembly, master water valving means operatively connected to said first conduit means and to said source of water, wherein said master valving means comprises a master valve member situated in said first conduit means and selectively movable to first and second positions for respectively permitting and terminating water flow therepast through said first conduit means, the method of eliminating water from said water system as to thereby prevent such water from causing damage by the freezing of such water in said water system, said method comprising the steps of actuating said master valve member of said master water valving means to terminate the flow of water therethrough and to said first conduit means, actuating said second and third water valve means to an open condition, actuating said fourth water valve means to an open position, permitting water to gravitationally flow until such water stops flowing out of an elevationally lowest faucet, actuating said fifth water valve means to an open condition and permitting water to flow out of said fifth water valve means, after actuating said master valve member of said master water valving means to terminate the flow of water therepast then applying pressurized gas to said first conduit means downstream of said master valve member to thereby force the water which is downstream of said master valve member out of said first conduit means and through said fifth water valve means until substantially only said gas flows out of said fifth water valve means, actuating said first water valve means to an open condition, and actuating said second and third water valve means and said fourth and fifth water valve means to a closed condition.