The Importance Of Seasonal Plumbing Checks

Plumbing problems weren’t a big issue in our own home, but in my mom’s daycare, they were a constant battle. If you’ve ever had a child flush something they shouldn’t, you can probably relate. Now imagine 30 kids doing that regularly—and you’ll begin to understand the struggle my mom faced in keeping the pipes clear!

While everyday clogs were manageable, bigger plumbing issues required more than just a plunger. One major lesson we learned the hard way?

The importance of seasonal plumbing checks: had we been more proactive, we could have avoided one of the biggest plumbing disasters we ever faced—when frozen pipes burst during a winter freeze.

Key Takeaways

DIY Fixes vs. Knowing When to Call a Plumber

My dad was always the handyman—fixing things around the house, building sandboxes and swings, and even tackling plumbing problems himself. my mom’s daycare, like building sandboxes and swings, making repairs and solving plumbing issues.

I remember him fishing toys out of drains on numerous occasions, never calling a plumber because he preferred to fix the plumbing problems himself.

But there was one plumbing disaster even he couldn’t handle—and it taught us a valuable lesson.

A flooded daycare with frozen pipes bursting from the ceiling, spraying water across the colorful play area. Toys, small chairs, and tables are scattered in the water, while icicles hang from the broken pipes. Large windows reveal snowy conditions outside, emphasizing the winter plumbing disaster. A shocked daycare owner stands in the background, assessing the damage.

The Frozen Pipe Disaster of 1989

One winter, while my family was away on a short holiday vacation, a deep freeze hit Houston, Texas. Since we weren’t used to harsh winters, we never thought to prepare our pipes for the cold. When we got back home, the pipes had frozen and burst—leaving the daycare in a complete mess.

Water had flooded the floors, and the damage was far beyond a simple fix. This time, my dad had no choice but to call in a professional plumber.

What We Learned: Seasonal Plumbing Checks Matter

Looking back, there were simple steps we could have taken to prevent this plumbing nightmare:

Insulating Pipes Before Winter – Even in a place like Houston, temperatures can drop unexpectedly. Wrapping exposed pipes with insulation could have prevented freezing.
Turning Off the Water Supply Before Leaving – If we had shut off the main water valve, the pipes wouldn’t have been pressurized when they froze, reducing the risk of bursting.
Letting Faucets Drip During Cold Spells – Running a small trickle of water can prevent pipes from freezing.
Calling a Plumber for an Inspection Before Winter – A quick seasonal checkup could have helped us spot vulnerabilities before they became major problems.

Have You Ever Faced a Plumbing Disaster?

Plumbing emergencies tend to catch us off guard, but preparing ahead of time can save a lot of stress (and money).

Have you ever had a situation like this where you wished you had been more prepared? Let’s swap stories in the comments—I’d love to hear what you’ve learned from your own experiences!

The Importance of Seasonal Plumbing Checks: A Lesson from My Mom’s Daycare

DIY Fixes vs. Knowing When to Call a Plumber

The Frozen Pipe Disaster of 1989

What We Learned: Seasonal Plumbing Checks Matter

Have You Ever Faced a Plumbing Disaster?

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