Each fall, homeowners should get their plumbing ready for cold weather by shutting off outdoor faucets, protecting exposed pipes, and checking key equipment like the water heater and sump pump. A few hours of work in October or November can prevent frozen pipes and surprise repairs in winter.
Outdoor Plumbing
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses
- Close the indoor valve that feeds each outdoor faucet, if your home has one
- Open the outdoor faucet to let leftover water drain out
- Clean gutters and make sure downspouts carry water away from the house
Water left in a hose or outdoor faucet can freeze, expand, and crack the pipe just inside the wall.
Pipes and Shut-Off Valves
Walk through the basement, garage, and crawl space. Add foam sleeves to pipes that run along cold walls or near vents. Seal gaps where pipes pass through the foundation. This is also a good time to find your main shut-off valve and make sure it turns. Show everyone in the home where it is.
Water Heater and Sump Pump
Winter puts extra demand on the water heater. Look around the base for moisture and listen for popping sounds, which can mean sediment buildup. Then test the sump pump by slowly adding water to the pit from a dry spot and watching it start and stop on its own.
Drains and Fixtures
Run water in rarely used sinks and showers to refill their traps. Check under sinks for drips, stains, or warped cabinet floors. Watch how fast tubs and sinks drain, since slow drains can get worse when holiday guests arrive.
If an exposed pipe already shows cracks or corrosion, fixing a weak or split pipe before the first hard freeze is much easier than dealing with a flood.
Some homeowners like a second set of eyes before winter. Before the cold arrives, schedule a seasonal check with a plumber at (833) 603-1840.