Winter Plumbing Problems: What to Watch For (and How to Handle Them)

Winter can be tough on your home’s plumbing. As temperatures drop, pipes, drains, and water heaters work a little harder and small issues can quickly turn into big, messy (and expensive) problems if they’re not addressed early.

Here are the most common plumbing issues homeowners face during winter, plus tips on how to prevent and handle them.

*The Biggie* Frozen Pipes When temperatures dip below freezing, water inside pipes can freeze, expand, and cause pipes to crack or burst. This often happens in uninsulated areas like basements, crawl spaces, garages, or exterior walls.

What to do:

• Keep cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air to circulate
• Let faucets drip slightly during extreme cold
• Insulate exposed pipes
• If a pipe freezes, turn off the water supply and gently warm the pipe using a hair dryer or warm towels (never an open flame)
• If a pipe bursts, shut off your main water valve immediately and call for professional help.

Clogged Drains and Sewer Lines Cold weather can harden grease and debris inside pipes, leading to slow drains or blockages. Tree roots can also grow toward warm sewer lines and cause winter backups.

What to do:

• Avoid pouring grease or oils down the drain (we say, avoid this all seasons)
• Use sink strainers to catch food and debris
• Run warm water through drains regularly
• If multiple drains are backing up at once, it may signal a sewer line issue that requires professional attention.

Water Heater Issues Water heaters work overtime in winter, especially with increased hot water use. Cold incoming water can strain older units, leading to lukewarm water or system failure.

What to do:

• Lower hot water demand by spacing out showers and appliance use
• Flush your water heater annually to remove sediment
• Insulate your water heater and nearby pipes
• If you notice inconsistent temperatures or strange noises, it’s time to have it checked.

Outdoor Plumbing Damage Garden hoses, outdoor faucets, and sprinkler systems are vulnerable to freezing temperatures and can crack if not winterized properly.

What to do:

• Disconnect and store hoses
• Shut off water to outdoor faucets
• Drain sprinkler systems before freezing weather hits

Sump Pump Failures Melting snow and winter storms can overwhelm a failing sump pump, increasing the risk of basement flooding.

What to do:

• Test your sump pump before major storms
• Clear debris from discharge lines
• Consider a battery backup in case of power outages