As the snow settles in around Cleveland and the holiday lights go up, many families pack their bags and head out of town. But while you’re enjoying time with loved ones, your home is left facing the full force of Northeast Ohio winter: freezing nights, icy winds, and the kind of cold snaps that can freeze a pipe solid before anyone notices.
A little winter prep goes a long way. With the right steps, you can leave for the holidays knowing your plumbing is protected from frozen pipes, surprise leaks, and the kinds of problems that tend to show up right after a snowstorm. This holiday plumbing checklist is designed for Cleveland’s climate and older housing stock, from classic bungalows in Parma to brick homes in Cleveland Heights and Lakewood.
Use this simple home travel prep guide to make your home “holiday-ready” before you hit the road.
Essential Plumbing Tasks Before You Leave
These tasks help your home stay safe and warm, even when no one’s there to keep an eye on things.
Shut Off the Main Water Valve
Turning off the main water valve is like giving your home its own winter break. If a pipe freezes and bursts while you’re gone, this stops new water from pouring into the house and flooding floors, cabinets, or your finished basement.
Most main shutoff valves are in the basement near where the water line comes into the house. Turn the valve to the “off” position, then open a faucet on the lowest floor to release pressure and let the remaining water drain out. This one step can prevent thousands of dollars in water damage.
Drain or Insulate Cold-Weather Plumbing Lines
Cleveland winters love to test any pipe that sits in a cold corner of the house. Take a few minutes to drain outdoor spigots, garage utility sinks, and any seasonal lines you don’t use in winter.
For indoor pipes in chilly areas, basements, crawlspaces, and exterior walls, wrap them in foam sleeves or heat tape. Older Cleveland homes, especially, benefit from extra insulation since many were built long before modern energy standards. Even simple pipe insulation from the hardware store can help prevent frozen pipes in Cleveland when temperatures drop into the teens.
Set Your Thermostat To a Winter-Safe Temperature
Even if you’re away, your home still needs a blanket of warmth. Set the thermostat to 55 to 60 degrees so the pipes stay above freezing. A sudden lake-effect cold blast can drop indoor temperatures quickly, so keeping your heat running protects your plumbing through the coldest holiday nights.
Check For Leaks Before You Go
Think of this as your holiday “home walkthrough.” Take a moment to check under sinks, behind appliances, around your water heater, and anywhere moisture might collect. A minor drip that seems harmless today can become a soaked cabinet or warped floor after a week away.
Disconnect Hoses and Winterize Outdoor Fixtures
Ensure all outdoor hoses are removed and drained. Winter often freezes residual water inside the spigot and the pipe behind it, one of the top causes of burst exterior lines in Northeast Ohio, once temperatures dip.
Clear Gutters and Outdoor Drains
Snow melts, refreezes, then melts again throughout a typical Cleveland winter. If your gutters or ground drains are clogged with leaves, meltwater can back up against your home, find its way into your basement, and force your sump pump to work overtime while you’re gone.
Clean gutters and check that downspouts direct water away from your foundation. Make sure exterior drains, like those near driveways or basement steps, are free of ice and debris so water has a safe path to flow away from your home.
Test Your Sump Pump Before Leaving
Winter rain and sudden thaws can activate your sump pump when you’re not home. Pour water into the sump pit to make sure the pump kicks on and drains correctly. Also, check that the discharge line is free of ice or debris; frozen lines are a major seasonal issue in Cleveland basements.
Consider a Whole-Home Water Monitoring Device
If you’re traveling for a longer holiday stretch, a smart leak detector adds extra peace of mind. Many systems alert you to sudden water usage changes or temperature drops and can automatically shut off the water, acting like a “holiday house-sitter” for your plumbing.
Extra Winter Protection Tips
These small steps help your home stay warm and steady during freezing nights.
- Open cabinet doors near plumbing: If your kitchen or bathroom sits along an exterior wall, open the cabinet doors before you leave. This lets warm indoor air reach the pipes instead of trapping them in a cold pocket. It’s a simple trick that can make a big difference during a Christmas cold spell.
- Let faucets drip during extreme cold: When the forecast calls for single-digit temperatures or bitter lake-effect wind chills, allow a slow drip from faucets connected to vulnerable pipes. It keeps water moving, like giving your plumbing a little nudge to stay awake during the coldest nights.
- Seal drafts around sinks and fixtures: Winter air loves to sneak into your home through tiny gaps behind sinks or around pipe openings. Seal cracks and drafts before you go so cold air doesn’t settle on the pipes while the house sits empty under a blanket of snow.
Keep Your Home Safe While You’re Away
Holiday trips should be relaxing, not stressful. With a little winter prep, you can leave home knowing your pipes are protected from freezing and other cold-weather problems. If you want extra peace of mind before you go, our team at W.F. Hann & Sons can help. We offer 24/7 service, upfront pricing, and licensed, background-checked plumbers who make sure your home is ready for the winter weather.
Let us help you travel with confidence this holiday season.
