As the temperatures start to drop in Maryland, most people begin thinking about their heating systems or maybe even the first batch of firewood. What often gets overlooked is the plumbing. At Putman Plumbing, we’ve seen firsthand how fluctuating temperatures can stress your home’s pipes, setting the stage for serious problems once the first freeze hits.
How Temperature Shift Affects Your Pipes
When the air cools at night and warms back up during the day, your pipes go through the same process. They contract, then expand, over and over again. It doesn’t sound like much, but that movement adds up. After a while, it can loosen joints or create tiny cracks. Once a freeze hits, those weak spots can give way fast.
This is especially common in basements, garages, and crawl spaces where the pipes aren’t well insulated. Homeowners in Maryland see this often around late fall. A single cold snap is enough to freeze unprotected pipes, and the damage can be costly to repair.
Simple Ways to Prevent Freezing
You don’t need a big project or fancy equipment to keep your plumbing safe. A few easy checks can go a long way:
- Add insulation where it’s needed. Foam sleeves or pipe wrap make a big difference for exposed plumbing.
- Disconnect hoses. Leaving them attached can trap water and cause outdoor pipes to freeze.
- Check for cold drafts. Pipes near outside walls, windows, or floors can get chilled quickly if there’s a gap or air leak nearby.
- Keep your home temperature steady. It’s better not to let the thermostat dip too low at night. If you’re going away, set it to at least 55°F.
- Know where your main water shutoff is. If something does go wrong, you’ll want to stop the flow right away.
Why It’s Worth Doing Now
The best time to protect your plumbing is before the first hard freeze. Once pipes are frozen, even small fixes become expensive and messy. Taking care of it early means fewer surprises and a lot less stress during the colder months.
Your Local Plumbing Partner
At Putman Plumbing, we’ve helped Maryland homeowners prepare their homes for decades. If you’re not sure whether your pipes are ready for winter, or if you’ve had issues with freezing in the past, we can take a look and make sure everything’s secure.
Contact us to schedule a fall inspection. A little preparation now can help you avoid frozen pipes and costly repairs later.