Home Plumbing Maintenance Checklist: A Seasonal Guide

A seasonal plumbing maintenance routine prevents costly repairs and extends the life of your home's plumbing system. Key tasks include inspecting drains for slow flow, checking for leaks under sinks, testing water pressure, and clearing debris from outdoor drains. Most tasks take less than 10 minutes and require no special tools.

 

Spring Plumbing Checklist

- Check all faucets for drips or leaks that may have developed over winter.

- Inspect under-sink cabinets in kitchen and bathrooms for signs of moisture or water damage.

- Test all drains for slow flow. If any drain is running slowly, clear it before the problem worsens.

- Clean drain hair catchers in all bathrooms. Replace if worn.

- Run water in rarely used fixtures (guest bathroom, basement sink) to refill P-traps and prevent sewer odor.

- Check outdoor spigots and hose connections for freeze damage from winter.

- Flush water heater to remove sediment buildup (follow manufacturer instructions).

Summer Plumbing Checklist

- Check washing machine hoses for bulges, cracks, or leaks. Replace every 3 to 5 years.

- Clean garbage disposal with ice cubes and lemon to remove buildup and odor.

- Inspect toilet for running water or phantom flushes that waste water.

- Clear outdoor drains, gutters, and downspouts of debris.

- If you have a sprinkler system, check for leaking heads or broken pipes.

 

Fall Plumbing Checklist

- Disconnect and drain garden hoses before the first freeze.

- Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like garages, basements, and crawl spaces.

- Know where your main water shut-off valve is located and test that it works.

- Have your water heater serviced if it is more than 10 years old.

- Clean all shower and bathtub drain catchers. Deep clean or replace TubShroom if buildup has accumulated.

Winter Plumbing Checklist

- Keep indoor temperature above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even when away, to prevent pipe freezing.

- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during extreme cold to allow warm air to reach pipes.

- If pipes freeze, thaw slowly with a hair dryer. Never use an open flame.

- Run a thin stream of water from faucets during extreme cold snaps to prevent freezing.

Year-Round Drain Prevention

The single most impactful thing you can do for your home's plumbing is prevent drain clogs before they happen. Installing TubShroom in every bathroom drain takes less than five seconds per drain and eliminates the leading cause of residential plumbing calls: hair clogs. With products for bathtubs, showers, bathroom sinks, and kitchen sinks, TubShroom offers whole-home drain protection for less than the cost of a single plumber visit.

 

Written by: TubShroom Drain Care Team
Specialists in hair clog prevention solutions used by millions of households.