Your Fall Plumbing Checklist for Kansas City-Area Homes

Eight quick fall plumbing checks for Harrisonville, Belton, Lee’s Summit, Overland Park and surrounding area homeowners that help prevent frozen pipes and winter breakdowns.

Kansas City winters swing fast. It can be 60 degrees on Tuesday and 15 on Thursday, and that whiplash is hard on plumbing. Most of the emergency calls we take in January start as small problems that could have been caught in October. Here is the checklist our plumbers use on their own homes.

1. Disconnect and Drain Garden Hoses

A hose left attached traps water in the spigot. When that water freezes, it can split the pipe inside your wall, and you may not know until spring when you turn the spigot on and water runs into the basement. Disconnect every hose, drain it and store it.

2. Shut Off and Drain Outdoor Spigots

If your home has interior shut-off valves for the outside faucets (often in the basement near the rim joist), close them. Then open the outdoor spigot to let the remaining water drain out. Older homes in Raytown, Belton and Harrisonville often have standard hose bibs rather than frost-free ones. An insulated spigot cover is a cheap extra layer.

3. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Look in unheated spaces: crawl spaces, garages, unfinished basement walls and any pipe that runs along an exterior wall. Foam pipe sleeves from the hardware store take minutes to install and cost a few dollars.

4. Flush Your Water Heater

Sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank, especially with the hard water common in the metro. That layer makes the heater work harder and can cause popping or rumbling sounds. A yearly flush helps it run efficiently and last longer. If you have never flushed yours, or the drain valve is stiff, call us rather than forcing it.

5. Test the Sump Pump

Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure the pump kicks on and drains it. Fall rains and spring thaws are when a failed pump turns into a flooded basement.

6. Find Your Main Water Shut-Off

Everyone in the house should know where it is and how to turn it. If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water in the first two minutes is the difference between a mop and a renovation.

7. Look for Slow Leaks

Check under sinks, around toilets and near the water heater for drips, stains or warped cabinet bottoms. Small leaks get worse when cold pipes contract.

8. Clear the Gutters and Downspouts

It is not technically plumbing, but water pooling against your foundation ends up in your basement and your sump pit.

When to Call a Plumber

Call us if you find a spigot that still drips after shut-off, a water heater that is leaking or more than 8 years old, a sump pump that will not start, or a main shut-off valve that will not turn. These are quick fixes in October and expensive ones in a January cold snap.

Kevin Ginnings Plumbing is family-owned and has served homeowners from Harrisonville to Overland Park and surrounding areas since 1985. Our skill trained licensed and insured plumbers price every job upfront. Ask about our current specials, including discounts for veterans, seniors and first responders. Call 816-380-6316 to schedule a fall plumbing check.