Fall Plumbing Checklist – 7 Steps to Prepare Your Home for Cooler Weather

The Season of Small Fixes That Save Big Money

Fall in North Carolina is beautiful—but when the first cold snap hits, it can quickly reveal weak spots in your plumbing. Leaves pile up, temperatures drop overnight, and your system starts working harder than it has in months. A few simple maintenance steps right now can prevent expensive repairs later.

Here’s your seven-step fall plumbing checklist from the experts at Economy Plumbing in High Point, NC. Each task is easy to handle and helps keep your home protected all season long.

1. Drain and Disconnect Outdoor Hoses

Leaving hoses attached traps water in your outdoor spigots. When temperatures dip, that water freezes and expands, often cracking your pipes. Disconnect every hose, drain it completely, and store it indoors until spring.

If your outdoor faucets aren’t frost-proof, add insulated covers to prevent freezing.

2. Inspect Outdoor Faucets and Spigots

Turn on each outdoor faucet and check for leaks or drips. Even a slow leak can waste hundreds of gallons over the fall and winter months, and it may indicate hidden damage behind your walls.

If you spot any problems, Economy Plumbing can repair or replace your outdoor spigots before cold weather makes things worse.

3. Clear Gutters and Downspouts

When gutters are clogged with leaves, water can back up toward your roof or foundation. That excess moisture often seeps into crawl spaces or basements, where it stresses plumbing lines.

After cleaning, run water through your gutters to make sure your downspouts are directing flow away from the house.

4. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Pipes in crawl spaces, garages, or exterior walls are the first to freeze. Wrapping them with foam insulation sleeves is an inexpensive way to avoid thousands of dollars in potential damage. It’s a 10-minute job that can save you from a mid-winter plumbing emergency.

5. Check Your Water Heater

Your water heater works harder as temperatures drop. Flushing it each fall removes sediment that builds up over summer, helping it heat more efficiently and last longer.

If it’s over eight years old or showing signs of wear, schedule an inspection with Economy Plumbing to make sure it’s operating safely.

6. Test Your Sump Pump

If you have a basement or crawl space, make sure your sump pump is ready before heavy fall rains arrive. Pour a bucket of water into the pit; it should automatically turn on and drain the water quickly.

If it doesn’t, call us right away. A working sump pump can prevent thousands in water damage when storms roll through the Triad.

7. Look for Leaks Indoors

Inspect under sinks, around toilets, and behind appliances. Catching leaks early is one of the simplest ways to avoid major repairs later.

If your water bill suddenly spikes, you may have a hidden leak. Economy Plumbing offers fast leak detection and repair services to stop the problem before it spreads.

A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way

Think of fall plumbing maintenance like changing your car’s oil—quick, routine, and far less expensive than waiting for a breakdown.

If you’d prefer a professional to handle the checklist for you, Economy Plumbing in High Point, NC offers seasonal inspections and affordable preventive maintenance. Call today to schedule your Fall Plumbing Inspection and stay ahead of winter’s chill.

Protect your home before the first freeze. Call/DM Economy Plumbing today at to schedule your fall plumbing checkup.