Outside of needing an emergency toilet repair service, most homeowners don’t think about their plumbing system on a regular basis.
And that’s an expensive mistake — one that costs thousands per year — that’s completely preventable.
By taking some preventative measures before each season hits, it’s easy to keep your pipes, fixtures, toilets, and faucets running smoothly and efficiently all year long… And without wasting water (or money).
Here’s what you need to know about seasonal plumbing:
- It costs zero dollars to prevent
- It protects your home from thousands of dollars of structural damage
- Saves tons of water
And it only takes an afternoon to do.
What’s Inside: Why Seasonal Plumbing Matters (& How to Do It)
- What Is Seasonal Plumbing Maintenance?
- Why Seasonal Plumbing Maintenance Is Important For Every Homeowner
- Spring Plumbing Preparation
- Summer Plumbing Preparation
- Fall Plumbing Preparation
- Winter Plumbing Preparation
- Going Green: The Sustainable Way to Approach Plumbing
What Is Seasonal Plumbing Maintenance?
Seasonal plumbing maintenance involves inspecting, adjusting, and protecting your plumbing system when the seasons change throughout the year.
This includes both outdoor plumbing like your hose bibs and sprinkler lines, but also indoor pipes, appliances like water heaters, and toilets and fixtures inside your home. Each changing season has unique hazards — some of which you can mitigate just by taking the time to prepare.
Essentially, it’s all about staying one step ahead of problems before they become serious.
Why Seasonal Plumbing Maintenance Is Important For Every Homeowner
Let’s start with a few stats…
Did you know that nearly 14,000 people experience a water damage disaster in their home each day throughout the U.S.? Water damage and frozen leaks now account for 22.6% of homeowners insurance claims, with the average water damage insurance payout totaling $15,400.
That’s actually pretty significant when you think about it.
The majority of those emergencies happen as a result of neglect — namely not doing yearly maintenance like fixing a leaky toilet, repairing a broken pipe, or cleaning out a clogged drain. For example, as one plumbing professional explains, having a pro come out to handle a toilet repair service call or a small pinhole leak in your pipes can cost a fraction of the price of the damage that will occur if you wait.
Seasonal plumbing preparation couldn’t be more simple or important.
Spring Plumbing Prep
Winter does a number on your plumbing. Spring is the ideal time to check up on any damage that might’ve occurred.
First, check outside your home. Walk around the perimeter and inspect each outdoor faucet and hose bib for cracksand leaks that occurred when the temperatures dipped below freezing. Slowly turn each one on and check water pressure and for dripping.
Here are some important spring plumbing chores:
- Inspect sewer lines — tree roots become more aggressive during spring and can work their way into drain pipes creating major clogs
- Flush your water heater— flush out any sediment buildup that occurred over winter months to improve efficiency
- Test toilets for hidden leaks — put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing. If color seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a silent leak that needs to be fixed
- Clean showerheads and faucet aerators — lime-scale buildup occurs from hard water over time, which can dramatically decrease water pressure. Cleaning these will improve water pressure and keep them working longer
Spring is also a great time to hire a professional plumber to come inspect your pipes and plumbing before summer arrives and usage increases.
Summer Plumbing Prep
Summer means spending more time outside — which means more water usage outdoors.
What most homeowners don’t think about:
Water restrictions due to drought can happen at any time during summer months. By installing water efficient fixtures and correcting any leaks in your home now, you’ll be ahead of the game when the notice comes (and help save on your water bill too).
The average home leaks nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year due to small things like dripping faucets and running toilets. Addressing these leaks can lead to big savings.
Summer plumbing tasks to focus on:
- Inspect irrigation systemand sprinklers for broken heads, leaks, or incorrect positioning before seasonal use begins
- Check washing machine hoses — hoses deteriorate faster when heat index is high, leading to cracks
- Clear outdoor drains — leaves and debris will start to build up and can cause drainage issues when summer storms hit
- Run all basement drains — including tubs and sinks to keep water traps from drying out
Fall Plumbing Prep
Fall is the most critical time of the year for plumbing maintenance.
Remember: fall maintenance is your last chance to prep your plumbing system before freezing temperatures set in during winter. That’s why so many homeowners skip fall prep, only to have their pipes burst a few months later.
Here’s the lowdown on what to do:
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses — if you leave a hose connected to your outdoor faucet, water is trapped in that line and can freeze, causing it to crack
- Insulate outdoor pipes — cover up any outdoor pipes not tucked away inside your garage, basement, or crawl space to protect them from freezing
- Water heater service — colder incoming water temperatures during winter make your water heater work harder. Check the anode rod and flush your water heater now to extend its lifespan
- Test your sump pump — run a few buckets of water into your pit to make sure it kicks on automatically
- Find your master water shut off valve — ensure everyone in your household knows where it’s located and labeled
Don’t skip fall plumbing maintenance. If your pipes burst due to not preparing, it will cost you many times more than what this checklist will take.
Winter Plumbing Prep
Winter is all about preventing frozen pipes and water damage.
When water freezes in your pipes, it expands and puts tremendous pressure on your plumbing — causing pipes to burst (even newer, thick ones). Pipes that run along exterior walls or through unheated areas of your home like garages, basements, and attics are most susceptible.
What you should do during winter months:
- Keep thermostat set to the same temperature throughout the day (include when you’re away). Lowering heat causes interior water pipes to be at risk for freezing
- Open cabinet doors under sinks along outside walls of your home. This allows warm air to enter and circulate around plumbing
- Drip water from your faucets along outside walls of your house during cold weather snaps. Running water helps prevent freezing
- Know how to shut your main water supply off in your home. If you do find yourself with a frozen pipe, you’ll want to shut this off immediately to minimize damage
Heading out of town for winter vacation? Never fully turn off your heat. Keep the thermostat set to at least 55°F to protect your pipes.
Going Green: The Sustainable Way to Approach Plumbing
Believe it or not, there are plenty of ways to have a more sustainable plumbing system at home.
For starters, swapping out current toilets for low-flow ones, installing water saving showerheads, and using leak sensors can save tons of water while decreasing your monthly water bill too. Even fixing small leaks will save close to 10% on your water bill.
When it comes to plumbing seasonally, think about sustainability. Being proactive with maintenance on a seasonal basis is the best thing you can do for your fixtures. It will save tons of water in the long run.
Right now, only 20% of homeowners say they complete regular preventative maintenance checks on their homes. That means 80% of houses are primed for expensive disasters season after season.
Final Takeaways on Plumbing Every Season
Seasonal plumbing maintenance isn’t difficult.
In fact, it’s a quick and simple process that will save you money on your water bills, prevent structural damage to your home, and give you one less thing to worry about when something goes wrong. Tackle this checklist every season, take care of small issues before they become big ones, and hire a professional inspector once a year.
Seasonal plumbing checklist at a glance:
- Spring: inspect, turn on/off, flush, clean
- Summer: repair leaks, check irrigation, clear drains
- Fall: drain hoses, insulate pipes, service water heater, know where your shut off is
- Winter: don’t turn off heat, open cabinet doors, know what to do if pipes freeze
This is your bathroom and plumbing maintenance routine that will save you money, prevent issues, and help you take care of your home year-round.