Picture this: you wake up on a freezing winter morning, stumble to the bathroom, and turn the tap. Nothing. Or worse, you hear that dreaded sound of water rushing somewhere it shouldn’t be. Your pipes have given up the ghost, and suddenly your peaceful morning has turned into a plumbing nightmare.
Here’s the thing about extreme weather and plumbing: they’re natural enemies. But with a bit of seasonal preparation, you can keep your pipes happy no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.
Spring: The Great Awakening
Spring’s arrival means it’s time to assess the winter damage. Those months of freezing temperatures might have been tougher on your plumbing than you realize.
Start by checking all your outdoor taps and hoses. Turn them on slowly and watch for any unusual dripping or weak water pressure. Sometimes pipes develop small cracks during winter that only become obvious when you start using them regularly again.
Take a walk around your property and look for any soggy spots in the yard. That innocent-looking puddle might actually be telling you about a burst underground pipe. The sooner you catch these issues, the less they’ll cost you down the line.
Don’t forget to reconnect those garden hoses you wisely disconnected in autumn. But before you do, give the outdoor taps a thorough inspection.
Summer: Preparing for the Heat
You might think summer’s easy on your pipes, but extreme heat brings its own challenges. Hot weather can cause pipes to expand and put stress on joints and connections.
Keep an eye on your water pressure during heatwaves. If it drops noticeably, it could signal that your pipes are struggling with the temperature changes.
Summer’s also the perfect time for that annual hot water system service. Nobody wants to discover their hot water system has failed during the busy Christmas period or when hosting summer gatherings.
Check your irrigation system too. A small leak in your sprinkler system can waste thousands of liters and send your water bill through the roof.
Autumn: Battening Down the Hatches
This is when the real preparation begins. Autumn’s your chance to get everything sorted before winter arrives with its freezing temperatures and potential for serious pipe damage.
Start by draining and disconnecting all garden hoses. Water left in hoses can freeze and expand, potentially damaging both the hose and the tap it’s connected to.
Locate your main water shut-off valve. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t know where theirs is until they desperately need it. Make sure everyone in your household knows its location too.
Clean out your gutters while you’re at it. Blocked gutters can cause water to freeze and create ice dams, which sometimes lead to burst pipes in roof spaces.
Winter: The Critical Season
Winter’s when your preparation pays off. If you’ve done the autumn prep work, you’re already ahead of the game.
During cold snaps, let taps drip slightly overnight. Moving water is much less likely to freeze than still water. It might feel wasteful, but it’s nothing compared to the cost of replacing burst pipes.
Know where your pipes are most vulnerable. Usually, it’s anywhere they’re exposed to outside air: under houses, in roof spaces, or along external walls.
If you’re going away during winter, don’t turn your heating off completely. Keep it low rather than off, and consider having someone check on your property.
When to Call in the Professionals
Sometimes DIY preparation isn’t enough. If you notice persistent low water pressure, discolored water, or unusual sounds from your pipes, it’s time to call in the experts.
The team at Endpoint Plumbing can help with everything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs. Having a reliable plumber’s number saved in your phone before you need it is always smart planning.
Regular professional inspections can catch problems before they become expensive disasters. Think of it as insurance for your peace of mind.
The truth is, a little preparation goes a long way. Your future self will thank you when extreme weather hits and your pipes keep doing their job without drama.
