Just gotta remember to check for leaks in spring... learned that the hard way after a soggy surprise one year.
Yeah, that spring check is key. I’ve had tenants call me in a panic because water was pouring out behind the siding—turns out, cracked pipes from a winter freeze. Your towel and bag trick works in a pinch, but I’ll be honest, those foam covers (when you can actually find them) are worth the few bucks. They’re not magic, but they do save me some headaches.
One thing I started doing is shutting off the water to exterior spigots from inside and draining the line before winter hits. Not always possible in older places, but if you’ve got a shutoff valve, it’s a game changer. No more mystery leaks or surprise water bills come April.
I get the appeal of DIY fixes—done plenty myself—but sometimes it’s just easier to spend $5 now than deal with drywall repairs later. Learned that lesson after a pipe burst behind a finished basement wall... not fun.
sometimes it’s just easier to spend $5 now than deal with drywall repairs later
Couldn’t agree more—cheap foam covers are like insurance for lazy folks (myself included). I’ve seen folks try to “insulate” with grocery bags... let’s just say, water finds a way. Shutoff valves are the real MVP if you’ve got ‘em.
cheap foam covers are like insurance for lazy folks (myself included)
Honestly, I’d argue they’re just smart, not lazy. I’ve had tenants try the “towel and duct tape” method—never ends well. My winter checklist: foam covers, check shutoff valves, and always drain exterior lines if possible. Saves a ton of headaches later.
I’ve had tenants try the “towel and duct tape” method—never ends well.
That one cracks me up every time. I had a neighbor swear by wrapping his spigot with an old sock... until it froze solid and split. Foam covers aren’t perfect, but for a couple bucks they’re way better than the DIY sock approach. I still get nervous if we hit a real deep freeze, though. Even with all the prep, you never really know—old pipes have a mind of their own.
Old pipes really are wildcards, aren’t they? I’ve tried the foam covers, and yeah, they’re a step up from socks or towels, but I still end up running out to double-check everything if the temp drops hard overnight. Ever tried leaving the faucet dripping just a bit? Some folks swear by it, but I’ve had mixed results—sometimes it helps, sometimes you just get a higher water bill. Wonder if pipe insulation inside the walls actually makes a big difference, or if it’s just luck of the draw with old plumbing...
