If you live in a warm winter cozy home then you already know how quickly fall slips into frost.
As one day you are rinsing off after a beach dip and the next there is ice on your car windshield and while you are pulling in patio furniture and covering the grill your outdoor showers, hoses and faucets are just quietly giggling and waiting to cause you more trouble.
And our Paradise Plumbing Experts get more calls in early winter about burst outdoor lines than on any other issue.
Because it is not that homeowners don’t care it is just that they underestimate how fast cold air can freeze standing water inside pipes and once that happens then the pressure builds, the metal splits and by spring you have got a leak pouring straight into your walls or foundation.
So before temperatures dip below freezing don’t panic because here is our top winter plumbing checklist that is going to show you just how you can protect outdoor plumbing fixtures.
So if you are ready then let’s get right into it shall we?
Why Outdoor Plumbing Is At Risk Sooner Than You Think?
Because here in the outdoors there is no insulation and that means your hoses, shower lines and faucets are exposed directly to cold air.
Even in the most coastal areas like Southampton or East Hampton where the ocean breeze feels nice and mild in the day the night on the other hand is really different where temperatures can easily drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
And when the water inside those pipes freezes it expands and that expansion is what destroys fittings, cracks valves and floods basements once thawing starts.
So What Is The Fix? Well it is to shut down, drain and disconnect everything before the first hard freeze because waiting even a week too long can mean replacing your whole outdoor plumbing system when green spring pays a visit.
The Right Way to Shut Down Your Outdoor Plumbing
You don’t need to be a plumber to prep your home. All you really need is a few minutes of attention before winter hits.
So here’s our winter plumbing checklist that we guarantee is going to work:
Turn Off The Outdoor Water Supply
Because most homes have a dedicated shut off valve for outdoor faucets which can usually be found in the basement or utility room.
Drain Outdoor Showers And Lines Completely
Don’t even think about it and make sure to open the valves and let all the water flow out and leave them slightly open so any trapped water can escape before it freezes.
Disconnect All Hoses
Leaving a hose attached can trap water in the line is guaranteeing a frozen split pipe. So always coil and store them in the garage or shed.
Insulate Exposed Fixtures
Always use faucet covers, foam sleeves or even an old towel and duct tape because they can help keep freezing air out.
And if you want to double check that you have done it right. Then make sure to schedule a Paradise Plumbing Winterization Service because our techs handle it in under an hour and can spot problems that most homeowners miss every single time.
Plus for all you guys out there who love to do it yourself the DIY Playbook has the Guide for you so make sure to check that out if you are interested.
Outdoor Showers The Forgotten Freeze Trap
Okay here is where even longtime Hamptons homeowners slip up.
Because many outdoor showers look harmless until the first cold snap hits and that is because water often gets trapped in the riser pipe or mixing valve and since those are usually behind thin siding they freeze quickly.
We once had a client in Amagansett who called us after finding water seeping into their outdoor decking in early spring.
What was the cause? Well it was a shower valve that cracked over winter because it wasn’t drained. A five minute fall task ended up costing them nearly 3,000 dollars in repairs.
So please don’t skip this one. Turn off the shower’s water line from inside the house and make sure to open both hot and cold valves outside and leave them open throughout the winter just to be on the safe side.
Why Just Leaving It Is Never Worth The Risk?
Every year someone wants to roll the dice like it will be fine don’t worry I have never had an issue.
And when February hits then that same homeowner calls for emergency plumbing repairs after a pipe bursts in their very own crawl space.
The average repair for frozen outdoor plumbing can run anywhere from 600 dollars to over 2,500 dollars depending on how deep the damage goes. And preventing it on the other hand costs next to nothing.
So if you are not sure whether your setup is protected then a quick seasonal check with Paradise Plumbing’s maintenance team can save you thousands.
Best Practical Tips From The Pros
Here is what our Paradise Plumbing experts have learned after decades of winter plumbing maintenance:
- Label Your Shut Off Valves: You will thank yourself next year when you can’t remember which one controls what.
- Blow Out Irrigation and Shower Lines With Air: It is fast, safe and ensures no trapped moisture remains.
- Install Frost Free Spigots: They extend the valve seat deeper inside your home where it is much warmer.
- Check The Insulation Near The Basement Windows: Because cold drafts there can freeze pipes faster than you think.
And if you want a deeper dive into seasonal plumbing prep? Well then make sure to check out Mitch Wright’s Winterizing Guide for Outdoor Plumbing for some extra homeowner friendly insights.
When Is The Right Time To Call In A Professional?
I tell you if you can’t find your outdoor shut off valve or your faucet keeps dripping even after you have turned it off well then that is your cue to call a pro.
Because frozen pipes often give off warning signs before they break like reduced flow, rattling noises or small leaks that seem to stop and start out of nowhere.
So for this reason a licensed plumber can pressure test your lines and spot hidden weak points before they burst.
Just think of it as insurance for your plumbing system. It is better to be safe than sorry.
So Come On Do It Once And Do It Right Before The Freeze Strikes
When it comes to outdoor plumbing winterization waiting is what gets people in trouble and all it takes is one cold night to undo your years of home care.
So before the first frost hits grab a wrench drain those outdoor showers, hoses and faucets and get it done.
And if you are short on time or want it handled by the pros who know homes best then what are you waiting for?
Schedule A Pre Winter Inspection With Paradise Plumbing Experts Today.
Because now is the time to winterize your outdoor plumbing system and avoid the frozen disasters that strike every year.
