Seasonal Plumbing Checklist for Central Ohio Homes

Spring and the wet season

• Test the sump pump: pour water into the pit and make sure it switches on and pumps out.
• Check that the sump discharge line is clear and drains away from the house.
• Clear gutters and downspouts so roof water isn't dumped next to the foundation.
• Note any floor drain that gurgles or backs up during a storm and mention it when you call.

• Sump pump repair and replacement
• Weather & Safety Center

Summer

• Watch for slow drains after the yard and trees leaf out. Root intrusion into older sewer lines can show up as recurring main-line clogs.
• Check outdoor faucets and hoses for leaks.

Fall, before the first freeze

• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets.
• Shut off and drain outdoor faucets that have an interior shutoff valve.
• Insulate pipes that run through unheated spaces like crawlspaces and garages.
• Find and test your main water shutoff.

Winter

• Keep heat on in the house, including when you travel.
• On very cold nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls.
• If a pipe freezes, don't use an open flame to thaw it. Call us.

Year-round

• Keep grease, wipes (including those marketed as flushable), paper towels and hygiene products out of drains and toilets.
• Look around the base of the water heater for water or rust.
• Know where your shutoffs are.

This is a checklist for you to work through yourself. There's no program to sign up for; call us when something on it turns up a problem.