December always sneaks up on Maryland homeowners. One minute you’re finishing Thanksgiving leftovers, and the next you’re waking up to mornings cold enough to freeze the outdoor spigot. And if you didn’t winterize your plumbing last month, you’re not alone. Most families don’t. December is when the real freezes begin so now is the time to act.
The good news? It’s not too late, but this is truly your final buffer before the harsher winter stretch hits. At Putman Plumbing, a trusted plumbing company serving Frederick MD, we see the same pattern year after year: early winter brings the most “we thought we still had time” emergencies. Our goal is to help you stay ahead of that.
Let’s walk through why December is the time to act, and what steps actually protect your home before deep winter sets in.
Why Acting Before the First Freeze Matters
Cold snaps don’t keep a calendar. For years, home improvement experts have warned homeowners to watch out for early freezes that can hit fast. The Detroit News, sharing insights from Angi professionals, points out that older homes are usually hit first when temperatures plunge quickly.
And here in Maryland, the concern isn’t just burst pipes, it’s the financial fallout. The Maryland Insurance Administration has flagged frozen-pipe damage as one of the most common and costly winter claims in the state. Once a pipe bursts, homeowners often find themselves dealing with soaked drywall, ruined flooring, destroyed insulation, and repairs that snowball quickly.
Taking action before that first deep freeze gives your home the best chance of staying problem-free all winter long.
Identify the Most Vulnerable Areas
Some pipes are practically begging to freeze. If you know where to look, you can stay ahead of the issues:
- Pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawlspaces, or garages
- Pipes running along exterior walls
- Outdoor spigots and hose bibs
- Older copper or galvanized pipes that does not insulate very well
It is important to protect your plumbing in any part of your house that doesn’t stay warm. A little awareness goes a long way, particularly in the days before temperatures dip into the danger zone.
Simple Steps Homeowners Can Do Right Now
Some winter preparation is DIY-friendly, like Angi regularly recommends a few quick steps that can help reduce risk without it costing you much time or money:
- Wrap insulation sleeves around exposed pipes
- Disconnect hoses and fully drain outdoor spigots completely
- Seal gaps or cracks where cold air slips into the home
- Open cabinet doors on cold nights so warm air can reach under sinks
- Keep the thermostat consistent, even at night
None of the steps described here substitute for professional winterizing, but they dramatically cut your chances of waking up to a frozen line on the first cold night of the season.
When It’s Time to Call a Professional
If your house has older plumbing, low water pressure, or has had freeze issues in the past, it’s smart to get a plumber involved before the temperatures drop further. A professional can:
- Inspect vulnerable lines
- Add insulation in hard-to-reach areas
- Check shut-off valves
- Winterize outdoor plumbing
- Identify weak points before they become emergencies
This is most important in homes built pre-90s, where insulation is often thin and pipes weren’t designed with modern winter patterns in mind.
At Putman Plumbing, we aim to make these types of pre-winter checkups easy and hassle-free. Our goal is to prevent problems, not just fix them after the damage is done.
Why Waiting Until Mid-Winter Isn’t Worth the Stress
We get two types of calls every winter:
1) Those homeowners who prepped early,
2) The homeowners who have frozen a pipe and are now scrambling.
Then there’s the second category, those that always say to us: “I only wish I had done something sooner.”
The truth is simple: November is ideal, early December is still ok, but waiting until January is risky, especially when Maryland temperatures swing quickly. The cost of a quick inspection or winterizing appointment is tiny compared to the cost of water damage.
If You Need Help, We’re Here to Protect Your Home
Your home deserves to be safe, warm, and worry-free this winter. If you suspect your plumbing isn’t ready, or you just want a second opinion, Putman Plumbing is ready to help. We handle winter prep every year for families across Washington County, and we’d be glad to take care of yours too.
You can contact us anytime. Preparation now means fewer surprises later. And we’d much rather help you prevent a winter plumbing disaster than fix one after it’s already happened.