Waco’s mild fall weather can make it easy to put off winter prep, but Central Texas has shown in recent years that a hard freeze can arrive fast and hit unprepared homes the hardest.
A little plumbing maintenance this fall goes a long way toward keeping your home warm, dry, and leak-free once temperatures drop.
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Pipes running through garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls are the most vulnerable to freezing. Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive and easy to install, and they make a real difference during a hard freeze. Pay special attention to any pipe near an exterior wall or an unheated area of the house, and don’t forget the line running to an outdoor spigot or a detached workshop.
2. Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
Leaving a garden hose attached to an outdoor spigot over the winter traps water in the line, and that water can freeze and crack both the hose and the connection. Disconnect every hose, drain it fully, and store it somewhere protected. If your home doesn’t already have frost-free hose bibs, this is a good year to consider the upgrade, especially if you’ve dealt with a frozen or split spigot before.
3. Locate Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
Every homeowner should know exactly where the main shutoff valve is and how to turn it off quickly. If a pipe does freeze and burst, shutting off the water within minutes is the difference between a minor repair and a flooded house. Test the valve now, while the weather is still good, rather than searching for it during an emergency. If it’s stiff or won’t turn, that’s worth having a plumber look at before winter.
4. Have Your Water Heater Inspected
Your water heater works harder once the weather turns cold, since incoming water is colder and takes more energy to heat. Fall is a smart time to flush the tank, check the pressure relief valve, and look for any signs of rust or leaking around the base. A quick inspection now can catch a small problem before it turns into a tank failure in the middle of a cold snap.
5. Clear Slow Drains Before the Holidays
With family gatherings and extra cooking on the way, kitchen and bathroom drains get more use in the coming months. A drain that’s already running slow is more likely to clog completely once it’s handling extra grease, food scraps, and guests. Having your drains professionally cleared now, rather than during a holiday weekend, means one less thing to worry about when your house is full.
Taking care of these five items now can spare you a stressful, expensive repair once temperatures drop. If you’d rather have a professional handle the inspection, Mackenzy’s Plumbing & Drain serves homeowners throughout the Waco area and can check your pipes, water heater, and drains before the first freeze hits. Visit mackenzysplumbing.com to schedule a fall plumbing checkup today.