Preparing Your Plumbing for Fall and Winter

Cold weather causes more plumbing emergencies than all other seasons combined. Frozen pipes, failed water heaters, and overwhelmed sump pumps create thousands in damage that simple fall preparation prevents.

This checklist addresses the actual cold-weather failures homeowners experience, not generic advice that misses critical tasks.

Outdoor Faucet Winterization

Outdoor faucets freeze first because they're exposed to exterior temperatures with minimal protection. A single freeze can crack the valve body inside your wall, causing leaks that don't surface until spring thaw.

Standard Outdoor Faucets

Turn off the interior shutoff valve feeding each outdoor faucet. These valves are usually in basements, crawl spaces, or utility rooms.

Open the outdoor faucet fully to drain water from the pipe.

Locate the bleeder cap on the shutoff valve. This small cap or screw allows water drainage. Open it to drain remaining water trapped between the shutoff valve and outdoor faucet.

Leave the outdoor faucet in the open position all winter. This prevents pressure buildup if any remaining water freezes.

Frost-Free Hose Bibs

Frost-free faucets have valve mechanisms 6-12 inches inside the wall where warmth prevents freezing. They're designed to drain automatically when closed.

Disconnect all hoses. Attached hoses prevent proper drainage, negating freeze protection.

Close the faucet and verify water drains from the spout. You should see or hear water draining.

If water doesn't drain, the faucet may be installed with improper slope. Water trapped in the pipe will freeze. Consider heat tape or calling a plumber to reinstall with correct pitch.

Exterior Faucet Covers

Install foam faucet covers over all outdoor spigots. These cost $3-$8 each and provide additional insulation.

Covers work for both standard and frost-free faucets, though they're most critical for standard faucets without freeze protection.

Secure covers tightly. Gaps allow cold air infiltration that defeats insulation.

Time: 15-30 minutes for all outdoor faucets Cost: $10-$50 for covers

Disconnect and Drain Garden Hoses

Hoses left connected to faucets prevent proper drainage and trap water that expands when freezing, cracking both hose and faucet.

Disconnect all hoses from outdoor faucets.

Drain hoses completely. Coil them loosely and store in a garage or shed.

Remaining water in hoses freezes and splits the hose. Even small splits cause leaks next spring that waste water and damage surroundings.

Empty and store hose-end sprinklers, nozzles, and attachments.

Time: 10-15 minutes Cost: $0

Winterize Irrigation Systems

Underground sprinkler systems contain gallons of water in pipes and valve boxes. This water must be removed or it will freeze, crack pipes, and destroy valve components.

Blowout Method

This is the only reliable winterization for irrigation systems in cold climates.

Turn off the water supply to the irrigation system.

Connect an air compressor to the system's drain valve or a test cock. You need a compressor capable of maintaining 50-80 PSI and delivering significant CFM (cubic feet per minute).

Activate one zone at a time. Run compressed air through each zone until only air (no water) comes from sprinkler heads.

Don't exceed 80 PSI. Higher pressure can damage pipes and components.

Start with the zone farthest from the compressor. Work progressively toward zones closest to the water supply.

After all zones are blown out, open drain valves to release any remaining water.

Professional Service

Professional irrigation blowouts cost $75-$150 and take 30-60 minutes.

The investment in proper winterization is minimal compared to $500-$2,000 in freeze damage repairs.

Most homeowners lack compressors with adequate capacity for effective blowouts. Professional service is worth it.

Time: 1-2 hours DIY or 30-60 minutes professional Cost: $75-$150 professional, $0 if you have adequate equipment

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Pipes in unheated areas face freeze risk whenever temperatures drop below 32°F for extended periods.

Priority Locations

Attics (especially in Southern homes where attics are rarely heated) Crawl spaces Garages Exterior walls Unheated basements

Insulation Types

Foam pipe sleeves cost $0.50-$2.00 per linear foot and install in minutes. Pre-slit sleeves slip over pipes without disconnecting anything.

Use 3/4-inch to 1-inch wall thickness for meaningful freeze protection. Thinner insulation provides minimal benefit.

Cover the entire pipe length. Leaving even 6 inches exposed creates a freeze point.

Seal all seams with tape. Gaps allow cold air infiltration.

Heat tape provides active protection for highest-risk pipes. Self-regulating heat cable costs $0.75-$2.50 per foot and adjusts output based on temperature.

Wrap heat tape in a spiral along the pipe, then cover with insulation. Never overlap heat tape on itself.

Plug heat tape into GFCI-protected outlets only.

Time: 1-3 hours depending on pipe quantity Cost: $50-$300 for insulation and heat tape

Water Heater Preparation

Water heaters work harder during winter as incoming water temperature drops. Cold input water requires more energy to heat to the target temperature.

Sediment Flushing

Sediment buildup reduces efficiency and accelerates tank failure. Fall is ideal for annual flushing before winter demand increases.

Attach a garden hose to the drain valve. Run the hose to a drain or outdoors.

Turn off power or gas to the water heater.

Let the tank cool for 30-60 minutes.

Open the drain valve and flush until water runs clear, typically 5-15 minutes.

Close the drain valve, refill the tank, and restore power or gas.

Temperature Check

Verify the thermostat is set to 120°F. Higher temperatures waste energy and accelerate corrosion. Lower temperatures risk bacteria growth.

Insulation

Consider a water heater blanket if your tank is in an unheated garage or basement. Blankets cost $20-$40 and reduce heat loss by 25-45%.

For gas water heaters, don't cover the top, bottom, or burner area. Electric units can have sides covered but leave top and bottom exposed.

Professional Inspection

If your water heater is over 8 years old, schedule professional inspection. Technicians can assess anode rods, check for leaks, and evaluate remaining tank life.

Replacement before winter prevents emergency failures during the coldest weather when plumbers charge premium rates.

Time: 45 minutes for flushing Cost: $0-$40 for blanket

Seal Air Leaks Around Pipes

Cold air infiltration around pipes causes more freezes than cold conducting through walls.

Inspect where pipes penetrate walls between heated and unheated spaces.

Apply expanding foam insulation around penetrations. Use foam rated for fire resistance near gas pipes or in walls.

Seal gaps around dryer vents, exhaust vents, and utility penetrations.

Cover crawl space vents with vent covers. Some recommend closing vents entirely during extreme cold, though this risks moisture problems. Insulated pipe is safer than closed vents.

Time: 30-60 minutes Cost: $10-$30 for foam and caulk

Sump Pump Testing

Sump pumps face heavy demand during spring thaws and winter rain-on-snow events. Testing before winter ensures the pump works when needed.

Remove the sump pit cover.

Pour 5 gallons of water into the pit.

The pump should activate automatically, drain the pit, and shut off.

Time the drainage. The pit should empty in 60-90 seconds.

Check the discharge pipe outside. Water should flow freely at least 6-10 feet from the foundation.

Test a second time to verify consistent operation.

Consider battery backup if you don't have one. Power outages often accompany winter storms when sump pumps are most critical. Battery backups cost $200-$500.

Time: 15 minutes Cost: $0 for testing, $200-$500 for battery backup

Indoor Temperature Maintenance

Your home's heated interior protects plumbing better than any insulation.

Set thermostats no lower than 55°F when leaving for extended periods.

Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during cold snaps. This allows warm room air to circulate around pipes.

If leaving for more than a few days during winter, either maintain heat or completely winterize by draining the system.

Never turn heat off completely in winter. The money saved on heating bills can be lost many times over through a single freeze event.

Gutter Cleaning

Clogged gutters overflow during rain and snowmelt, dumping water against foundations and overwhelming sump pumps.

Remove all leaves, twigs, and debris.

Flush gutters with a hose to verify proper drainage.

Check that downspouts extend at least 6 feet from the foundation.

Inspect downspout connections to underground drains. Freeze/thaw cycles often separate these connections.

Time: 1-3 hours Cost: $0 DIY or $100-$250 professional

Check Emergency Shutoffs

Winter plumbing failures often require immediate water shutoff. Know where valves are located before emergencies occur.

Locate and test your main water shutoff. Every adult in the household should know its location.

Turn the valve 1/4 turn and back to verify it operates. Valves seized from years of inactivity won't work during emergencies.

Label the main shutoff clearly if it's not obvious.

Test individual fixture shutoffs under sinks and behind toilets. Replace any that won't turn.

Consider installing an emergency shutoff tool near the main valve. These allow quick shutoff without searching for wrenches.

Time: 15 minutes Cost: $0

Water Meter Protection

Water meters in unheated areas can freeze, and you're often responsible for replacement costs.

Inspect the meter location. Meters in basements or heated spaces rarely freeze.

For meters in crawl spaces or meter pits, add insulation around (not touching) the meter.

Consider a meter pit cover or insulated box for exposed meters.

Never wrap the meter itself. Insulate the surrounding space.

Time: 30 minutes Cost: $10-$40 for insulation

Check Heating System

Your heating system protects plumbing indirectly by maintaining indoor temperature.

Replace furnace filters. Dirty filters reduce efficiency and can cause system shutdowns.

Test heat in all rooms. Cold spots indicate airflow problems that can lead to frozen pipes.

Schedule furnace maintenance if you haven't had service in 2+ years.

Ensure thermostats are working correctly.

Time: 15 minutes for filter change Cost: $5-$20 for filters, $100-$150 for professional furnace service

Winterizing Vacant Properties

Homes that will be unheated during winter require complete winterization.

Turn off the main water supply.

Open all faucets and flush toilets to drain pipes.

Drain the water heater completely.

Pour RV antifreeze (not automotive antifreeze) into all drain traps: sinks, tubs, showers, floor drains.

Turn off the water heater circuit breaker or gas valve.

Leave cabinet doors open and interior doors ajar to allow any residual heat circulation.

Notify your insurance company. Many policies require notification of vacant properties.

Time: 2-3 hours Cost: $20-$40 for RV antifreeze

Create an Emergency Kit

Winter plumbing emergencies happen. Prepare now rather than scrambling during a crisis.

Stock emergency supplies:

• Flashlights with fresh batteries
• Bucket for water catches
• Plumber's phone number
• Location list of all shutoff valves
• Hair dryer for thawing frozen pipes
• Portable heater for cold spaces

Store supplies in an accessible location everyone knows.

Time: 30 minutes Cost: $50-$100 if purchasing all items

Schedule Professional Inspections

Consider professional fall inspections for older homes or those with plumbing problems.

Plumbers can identify risks homeowners miss and perform preventive repairs before winter.

Professional inspections cost $100-$200 but can prevent thousands in freeze damage.

Time: 1-2 hours Cost: $100-$200

The Bottom Line

Winter plumbing preparation takes 4-8 hours spread over several weekends. The investment prevents emergency repairs costing thousands.

Most tasks require no special skills. Disconnecting hoses, installing foam covers, and flushing water heaters are homeowner-friendly.

The consequences of skipping preparation are severe. Burst pipes cause average damage of $18,000. Failed water heaters flood homes. Frozen outdoor faucets require expensive wall repairs.

Use this checklist now, before freezing weather arrives. Hardware stores sell out of pipe insulation and faucet covers once cold hits. Plumbers book solid with emergencies, making preventive service impossible to schedule.

Protect your plumbing in fall and enjoy winter without emergency plumber calls.