How to Prepare Your Plumbing for Winter: 8 Steps Every Homeowner Should Take

As temperatures begin to drop, your plumbing system faces one of its biggest seasonal challenges. Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to freeze, burst, and leave you dealing with costly water damage when you least expect it.

The good news? A little preparation before winter arrives can go a long way toward protecting your home.

Here are 8 important steps to help prepare your plumbing for winter.

1. Disconnect Your Outdoor Hoses

Before the first hard freeze, disconnect all garden hoses from your outdoor faucets.

Leaving a hose connected can trap water inside the faucet and connected plumbing. When temperatures drop below freezing, that water can freeze and expand, potentially damaging the faucet or the pipe inside your home.

Once you've disconnected your hoses:

• Drain the hoses and store them indoors or in a protected area.

• Make sure outdoor faucets are completely drained.

• If your home has shut-off valves for outdoor faucets, consider closing them before winter.

2. Protect Exposed Pipes

Pipes located in unheated areas are particularly vulnerable to freezing.

Check areas such as:

• Garages

• Basements

• Crawl spaces

• Attics

• Exterior walls

• Under sinks located along exterior walls

Pipe insulation can help protect vulnerable plumbing from freezing temperatures. Pay particular attention to areas where pipes are exposed to cold drafts.

3. Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Is

Every homeowner should know where their main water shut-off valve is located.

If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water quickly can significantly reduce the amount of water that enters your home and potentially limit property damage.

Take a few minutes before winter to locate the valve and make sure everyone in your household knows how to operate it.

If you're not sure where yours is located, a plumber can help you identify it.

4. Keep Your Home Warm

Your home's heating system doesn't just keep your family comfortable… it also helps protect your plumbing.

During periods of extremely cold weather, keep your thermostat set to a consistent temperature, including overnight.

If you'll be away from home during the winter, don't turn the heat off completely. Maintaining a reasonable indoor temperature can help prevent pipes from freezing.

5. Open Cabinets Under Sinks

When temperatures are especially low, open the cabinets underneath sinks located along exterior walls.

This allows warmer air from your home to circulate around the pipes. It's a simple step, but it can provide additional protection during a serious cold snap.

Make sure cleaning products and other items are safely stored if young children or pets are in the home.

6. Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold

If temperatures are expected to remain extremely low for an extended period, allowing a small amount of water to flow through vulnerable faucets can help reduce the risk of freezing.

Moving water is less likely to freeze than stagnant water.

You don't need a strong stream; a small, steady drip may be enough. Focus on faucets supplied by pipes that run through particularly cold or exposed areas.

7. Don't Ignore Signs of a Frozen Pipe

Sometimes a frozen pipe gives you warning signs before it becomes a major problem.

Watch for:

• Little or no water coming from a faucet

• A noticeable drop in water pressure

• Frost or condensation on exposed pipes

• Strange noises when turning on a faucet

• Unexplained leaks or water around pipes

If you suspect a pipe is frozen, don't use an open flame or torch to try to thaw it. Instead, turn off your home's main water supply if you suspect a pipe may have already burst and contact a professional plumber.

8. Have Plumbing Problems Addressed Before Winter

Winter has a way of turning small plumbing problems into major emergencies.

A slow drain, small leak, low water pressure, or aging pipe may not seem urgent in the fall. But extreme temperatures can put additional stress on your plumbing system.

Taking care of problems before the weather turns cold can help you avoid an inconvenient and potentially expensive emergency later.

Don't Wait for a Winter Plumbing Emergency

The best time to prepare your plumbing for freezing temperatures is before the first major freeze.

A few simple preventative steps can help protect your pipes and your home throughout the winter. And if you're already experiencing low water pressure, a leak, drainage problems, or other plumbing issues, it's better to have them checked out before winter weather arrives.

Need help getting your plumbing ready for winter? Contact On Demand Plumbing to schedule service. Call or text us at any time at 216-357-0007.

We're here to help keep your home's plumbing working when you need it most, even when the temperatures drop.