Just realized after last winter's pipe-freezing fiasco (ugh, nightmare), I should probably be more proactive about plumbing maintenance when seasons change. Curious if most folks here actually prep their plumbing systems seasonally or just wing it like I've been doing, haha. Quick poll:
- Yep, I prep every season—better safe than sorry.
- Nah, never bothered and haven't had issues yet.
- Um...only when I remember or something goes wrong.
Feel free to share your stories or tips below, I'm all ears.
I used to wing it, but after dealing with burst pipes twice (trust me, not fun), I now prep every fall. Insulating exposed pipes and checking outdoor faucets saves a lot of headaches later...worth the effort imo.
Yeah, insulating pipes is definitely worth the hassle. Had a client last winter who skipped it, and the pipe burst in their crawlspace—ended up flooding the basement overnight. Not pretty. One thing people often overlook though is checking their main shut-off valve. It's surprising how many valves seize up over time, and when you need them most...they won't budge. Curious, has anyone here actually tested their shut-off valves recently? It's one of those small tasks that's easy to forget until you're ankle-deep in water.
Funny you should mention the shut-off valve...I learned that lesson the hard way a few years back. Had a tenant call me at 2am (because plumbing emergencies never happen at noon, right?) saying water was gushing from under the kitchen sink. I rushed over, half-asleep and grumpy, only to find the main valve stuck tighter than my jeans after Thanksgiving dinner. Ended up having to call an emergency plumber who charged me an arm and a leg just to turn a handle.
Ever since then, I make it a point to check valves at least twice a year—usually when I'm swapping out furnace filters or doing other seasonal chores. A quick twist now and then keeps them from seizing up. And trust me, it's way better than the alternative of standing in freezing water, cursing your life choices at 3am...
Reading your story about the stuck valve gave me flashbacks to my own plumbing disaster last winter. I always thought seasonal prep was just another way for plumbers to upsell services, but after waking up to a flooded basement (and the hefty bill that followed), I'm reconsidering my stance. Honestly, I've been in the "wing it" camp for years because I figured if nothing broke, why fix it? But now I'm thinking a little prevention might actually save money in the long run.
I like your idea of checking valves when doing other seasonal chores—makes it easier to remember. Maybe I'll add a quick plumbing check to my routine when I swap out smoke detector batteries or something. Seems like a small effort compared to dealing with burst pipes and emergency plumber fees at ungodly hours. Lesson learned, I guess...
