In Lancaster County, the first hard freeze usually arrives sometime in late October or November, and the deep cold settles in around January. Fall is the window to get your plumbing ready. Most of this list takes an afternoon, and none of it needs special tools.
1. Shut off and drain outdoor spigots
This is the big one. Disconnect every garden hose; a hose left attached traps water in the faucet, even a frost-free one. Then find the shutoff valve for each outdoor spigot inside the house, usually in the basement just inside the wall, close it, and open the outside spigot to let it drain. Leave the outside spigot open over the winter. If you can’t find an inside shutoff, that’s worth fixing; a plumber can add one or install a frost-free sillcock.
2. Seal the cold spots
Walk the basement with a flashlight on a windy day and feel along the top of the foundation where the wood framing sits, called the rim joist. In many older rowhomes and farmhouses, cold air pours in here, right where pipes run. Foam board, spray foam or caulk stops the draft. Wrap exposed pipes in crawl spaces, unheated garages and along exterior walls with foam pipe insulation. Our frozen pipe guide shows where Lancaster pipes freeze first.
3. Flush the water heater
Your water heater is about to work its hardest of the year, because incoming water is coldest from December through March. With Lancaster’s hard water, sediment builds up fast. Turn off the gas or power, attach a hose to the drain valve, and let a few buckets run out until the water clears. Test the relief valve by lifting the lever briefly. If the heater is more than 10 years old, start thinking about replacement now rather than after it fails on a frigid morning.
4. Test the sump pump
Fall storms and the spring thaw both test sump pumps. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure the pump starts, empties it and shuts off. Check that the discharge pipe outside is clear of leaves and slopes away from the house; a frozen discharge line is a common winter failure. If the basement is finished, a battery backup is cheap insurance.
5. Find your main shutoff, and make sure it turns
If a pipe bursts, every second counts. Find the main shutoff (usually on the front basement wall near the water meter), tag it, and make sure it closes. Old gate valves often seize after years of not being touched. If yours won’t turn, ask a plumber to replace it with a quarter-turn ball valve before winter.
6. Get drains ready for the holidays
Thanksgiving is famously one of the busiest days of the year for drain calls. Extra guests, extra showers and a lot of cooking grease all hit the pipes at once. If a kitchen or bathroom drain is already slow, have it cleaned before the company arrives. Remind everyone that only toilet paper goes in the toilet, and pour cooled turkey and bacon grease into a can, not the sink. More in our drain cleaning guide.
7. Plan for time away
Traveling over the holidays or heading somewhere warm in February? Keep the heat at 55°F or higher, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls, and ask someone to check the house. For longer trips, shut off the main and drain the lines. A simple Wi-Fi leak sensor near the water heater and washer can text you if something goes wrong.
The quick version
- Disconnect hoses and drain outdoor spigots
- Insulate exposed pipes and seal the rim joist
- Flush the water heater and test the relief valve
- Test the sump pump and clear its discharge line
- Find and test the main shutoff valve
- Clear slow drains before holiday guests arrive
- Set a plan for heat and water while you’re away
Not sure about any of it? Lancaster County plumbing help is one call away, and a plumber can do a fall check in one visit.