Plumbing Maintenance Guides for Homeowners
Most plumbing failures are preventable. The ones that aren't are much cheaper when caught early. This section covers the maintenance tasks that actually matter — ranked by the damage they prevent if skipped.
Four maintenance topics covered in depth
- Annual plumbing maintenance checklist — the full inspection you should do once a year. Catches slow leaks, failing valves, and sediment buildup before they become emergencies.
- How to shut off water in your house — every homeowner needs to know where the main shutoff is and that it actually works before there's an emergency. How to find it, test it, and what to do if it's stuck.
- How to winterize pipes — the steps that prevent burst pipes when temperatures drop. Covers occupied homes, vacant homes, and seasonal properties.
- Sediment filter replacement guide — when to replace whole-house sediment filters, how to do it, and how to choose the right micron rating for your water.
Maintenance by season
Fall (before first freeze)
Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Shut off and drain outdoor spigots from inside (the shutoff is usually in the basement or crawlspace). Insulate exposed pipes in unheated spaces. Check your water heater — flush sediment and inspect the anode rod before the season of heavy use.
Winter
Know where your main shutoff is and confirm it turns. Keep cabinet doors under sinks open during severe cold snaps so warm air reaches the pipes. Let a trickle run from faucets on exterior walls if temperatures will drop below 10°F. Full winterization guide.
Spring
Inspect all exposed pipes for frost damage (cracks, deformations, loose joints). Reconnect outdoor hoses and test exterior spigots. Check the water heater pressure relief valve — lift the test lever briefly and confirm water flows. If it doesn't release or doesn't reseat, replace it ($15–25 part).
Annual (any season)
Run the water meter leak test. Inspect under every sink. Test all shutoff valves under sinks and toilets — turn them off and back on to confirm they aren't seized. Replace sediment filters. Check washing machine supply hoses for bulging or cracking.