Plumbing problems rarely come out of nowhere. Most of the leaks, clogs, and burst pipes that disrupt a home build up slowly — and a little seasonal attention is usually all it takes to catch them early. In Central Oregon, where hard water, hot summers, and freezing winters all put their own stress on a plumbing system, staying ahead of the seasons is especially worthwhile.
Use this checklist to keep your Bend-area home’s plumbing in good shape all year long. Since winter is the season that does the most damage here, that’s where we’ll start.
Fall: Get Ready for Winter
Fall is the most important plumbing season in Central Oregon. Everything you do before the first hard freeze pays off when temperatures drop. Tackle these while the weather’s still mild:
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses. Water left in a connected hose can freeze back into the spigot and crack the pipe behind it.
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets and sprinkler lines. If you have interior shutoff valves for exterior spigots, close them and drain the remaining water.
- Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages, basements, and along exterior walls with foam pipe sleeves.
- Seal drafts near pipe runs — gaps around vents, windows, and foundation openings let in the cold air that freezes pipes.
- Test your main water shutoff valve so you know it works and everyone in the house knows where it is.
- Have your water heater checked before it works hardest. Sediment buildup makes it less efficient right when you need it most.
For the full rundown on protecting your pipes through the cold months, see our guide on how to prevent frozen pipes in Central Oregon winters.
Winter: Protect Against the Freeze
Once the cold sets in, the focus shifts to keeping water moving and catching trouble early:
- Let faucets drip during hard freezes — moving water is far less likely to freeze.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so room heat reaches the pipes.
- Keep your heat on at no lower than 55°F, even when you’re away, so pipes inside walls stay above freezing.
- Watch for warning signs of a frozen pipe — a faucet that trickles on a cold morning may mean ice in the line.
- Know where your shutoff is so you can stop the water fast if a pipe bursts.
Spring: Check for Winter Damage
When things thaw out, it’s time to assess what winter left behind and reset for the year:
- Inspect for leaks. Check under sinks, around toilets, and near the water heater for drips or moisture that may have developed over winter.
- Test outdoor spigots. Turn on each exterior faucet and watch for reduced flow or leaks, which can signal a pipe that cracked in the cold.
- Watch for hidden leaks. A spike in your water bill or damp spots can point to a leak that needs professional leak detection and repair.
- Clear outdoor drains and gutters so spring runoff flows away from your foundation.
Summer: Handle Higher Demand
Summer brings guests, gardens, and heavier water use. Keep the system flowing smoothly:
- Watch what goes down the drain. Summer cooking and entertaining are hard on kitchen drains — keep grease, oils, and fibrous food scraps out. Recurring slow drains are a sign it’s time for professional drain cleaning.
- Check your sprinkler and irrigation system for leaks and broken heads that waste water.
- Inspect washing machine hoses for bulges or cracks before heavy summer laundry loads.
Year-Round Habits That Prevent Problems
A few simple habits protect your plumbing in every season:
- Never pour grease down the drain — let it cool and throw it away.
- Use drain strainers to catch hair and food debris.
- Keep an eye on your water bill; an unexplained increase is often the first sign of a hidden leak.
- Address small drips and slow drains promptly, before they become big repairs.
- If your home was built before 2000, keep an eye on aging pipes — persistent problems may mean it’s time to consider whole-house repiping.
When to Call a Professional
Routine maintenance you can handle yourself, but some things are worth a licensed plumber’s eyes — a water heater that’s aging, recurring clogs, low water pressure, signs of a hidden leak, or a pre-winter inspection of vulnerable pipes. Catching these during a scheduled visit is almost always cheaper than an emergency repair.
At Sunset Plumbing, we’ve helped Central Oregon homeowners keep their plumbing healthy through every season since 1982. Whether you want a seasonal check-up or help with a specific problem, our licensed team is ready across our full range of plumbing services.
Ready to get your home’s plumbing season-ready?
Contact Sunset Plumbing today or call us at 541-382-0109.
Sunset Plumbing — Licensed, insured, and locally trusted in Central Oregon since 1982. CCB#69172. Serving Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver, La Pine, Prineville, Terrebonne, Tumalo, and surrounding areas.
