How Do You Prepare Your Plumbing for Colder Weather? A Fall Plumbing Checklist

Cold weather is hard on plumbing systems that haven’t been prepped for it. A few simple steps in the fall can prevent frozen pipes, water heater failures, and costly emergency repairs once temperatures drop. Flow Plumbing Contractors in West Chester, PA, put together this checklist to help homeowners and property owners get ready for winter before the cold sets in. 

Outside the House

Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Water left in a hose or spigot can freeze and expand, cracking the pipe behind it. Disconnect garden hoses, drain any remaining water, and shut off interior valves to outdoor faucets if your home has them. 

Insulate exposed pipes. Pipes running through unheated spaces, such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages, are the most likely to freeze. Foam pipe insulation is an inexpensive way to protect these sections before the first hard freeze. 

Inside the House

Check your water heater. Winter places additional strain on water heaters as incoming water temperatures drop. Fall is a good time to check for leaks, sediment buildup, or signs of wear. If your water heater is older or struggling to keep, Flow Plumbing's water heater services can help you repair or replace it before you’re without hot water in January.

Inspect for existing leaks. A small leak that’s easy to ignore in warm weather can turn into a frozen, burst pipe once the temperature drops. Walk through your property and check under sinks, around water heaters, and near any visible plumbing for signs of moisture before cold weather makes a small problem worse. 

Keep cabinet doors open on very cold nights. On especially cold nights, opening cabinet doors under sinks allows warm air to reach the pipes inside, lowering the risk of freezing for plumbing located along exterior walls. 

Be Ready If Something Goes Wrong 

Know where your main stuff-off valve is. If a pipe freezes or bursts, knowing how to shut off your water supply quickly can significantly limit the damage. Make sure everyone in the household or building knows where the main shutoff valve is located.

Schedule a professional inspection. A professional inspection can catch issues that aren’t visible from a quick walk-through, such as early pipe corrosion, weak connections, or a water heater nearing the end of its life. Flow Plumbing Contractors offers repair and maintenance services for residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial properties throughout the region. 

Don’t Wait for the First Freeze 

Preparing your plumbing in the fall is far less expensive than repairing frozen or burst pipes in the middle of winter. If you need help checking your system before the cold arrives, contact Flow Plumbing Contractors to schedule an inspection or repair.