The first real cold snap in Southeastern Pennsylvania has a way of finding every weak spot in a home’s plumbing. A hose left on the spigot. A pipe running along an outside wall. A water heater that was already on its last legs. Problems that were quietly waiting all fall tend to show up in the same few weeks, usually on the coldest night of the year.
The good news: most winter plumbing problems give you a warning first, and most are preventable. We’ve been answering winter calls across Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties since 1948. Below are the problems we see most, how to spot them early, and what to do when one hits.
7 Common Winter Plumbing Problems
1. Frozen pipes
Water expands as it freezes, and pipes in unheated spaces are the first to go: crawl spaces, garages, attics, and pipes along exterior walls or under kitchen sinks on outside walls.
Warning signs: a faucet that only trickles or won’t run at all, frost on an exposed pipe, or an odd smell from a drain.
What to do: Keep the faucet open, then warm the frozen section gently with a hair dryer, space heater kept a safe distance away, or warm towels. Start near the faucet and work back. Never use an open flame. If you can’t find or reach the frozen section, call a plumber before it splits.
How to avoid it: On the coldest nights, let faucets on outside walls drip, open the cabinet doors under sinks so warm air reaches the pipes, and keep the heat at 55°F or higher if you’re away.
2. Burst pipes
A frozen pipe often doesn’t burst while it’s frozen. It bursts when it thaws and the pressure releases, which is why a leak can appear hours after the cold breaks.
Warning signs: water stains on ceilings or walls, the sound of running water when nothing is on, a sudden drop in water pressure, or a jump in your water bill.
What to do: Shut off your main water valve right away, then call for emergency service. If you don’t know where your shutoff is, find it now, before you need it. Our guide on how to shut off your main water line shows you where to look, and what to do when your pipes burst walks through the next steps.
3. Frozen outdoor faucets and hoses
A hose left connected traps water in the spigot, where it freezes and can crack the pipe inside your wall. You often won’t know until spring, when you turn it on and water runs into the basement.
Warning signs: a spigot that won’t turn or won’t flow, or water in the basement near the outside wall when the spigot is in use.
How to avoid it: Disconnect and drain hoses before the first freeze, and shut off and drain any inside valve that feeds the outdoor faucet. Frost-free hose bibs help a lot. See what an outdoor hose bib installation costs.
4. Running out of hot water
Your water heater works harder in winter because the water coming into it is much colder. A unit that kept up fine in September can start running out mid-shower in January, especially if it’s older or full of sediment.
Warning signs: shorter hot showers, lukewarm water, rumbling or popping from the tank, or rusty water.
What to do: Space out showers and laundry so the tank can recover, and flush the tank to clear sediment (here’s how). Don’t just turn the temperature way up. Around 120°F is the safe setting for most homes, and hotter water raises the risk of scalding. If the heater is 10 years or older and struggling, it may be time to compare replacement options.
5. Frozen sump pump discharge line
Your sump pump still runs in winter as snow melts and groundwater rises. If the discharge line outside freezes, the water has nowhere to go, and the pump can burn out or the pit can overflow into the basement.
Warning signs: a pump that runs constantly, ice at the end of the discharge line, or water rising in the pit.
How to avoid it: Make sure the discharge line slopes away from the house and isn’t buried in a snowbank. An ice guard or freeze-protection fitting on the line gives water a way out if the end freezes.
6. Holiday drain and sewer clogs
More guests, more cooking and more showers put a heavy load on drains in November and December. Grease that pours easily when it’s hot hardens in cold pipes and builds into stubborn clogs, and a full house puts every toilet and shower to work at once.
Warning signs: slow drains in more than one fixture, gurgling, or water backing up into a tub or floor drain when the washer runs. Those point to the main line, not a single sink.
What to do: Scrape grease into the trash, not the sink, and keep the garbage disposal away from peels, bones and coffee grounds. If several drains are slow at once, a main line clearing is the fix. Mattioni’s $79 main drain clearing includes a free camera inspection.
7. Frozen furnace condensate line
High-efficiency furnaces make water as they run and drain it through a small PVC line. If that line runs outside or through a cold space, it can freeze, and the furnace will shut itself off. It’s a plumbing problem that looks like a heating problem.
Warning signs: the furnace starts, then shuts off; a gurgling sound from the unit; or an error code on the furnace or thermostat.
What to do: Check for ice where the line exits the house and thaw it gently with warm water. If it keeps happening, the line needs to be rerouted or insulated.
Quick Reference: Warning Signs and What to Do First
| Problem | Warning sign | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen pipe | Faucet only trickles or won’t run | Keep the faucet open and warm the pipe gently. No open flame. |
| Burst pipe | Water stains, sound of running water, sudden pressure drop | Shut off the main water valve and call for emergency service. |
| Frozen outdoor faucet | Spigot won’t flow, or water in the basement near it | Disconnect the hose and shut off the inside valve that feeds it. |
| Water heater struggling | Shorter hot showers, rumbling or rusty water | Space out hot water use and flush the tank. Keep it around 120°F. |
| Frozen sump pump line | Pump runs nonstop, ice at the end of the line | Clear the line outlet and keep it out of snowbanks. |
| Holiday drain clog | Several slow drains, gurgling, tub or floor drain backup | Stop using water and schedule a main line clearing. |
| Frozen condensate line | Furnace starts, then shuts off; gurgling | Thaw the line where it exits the house with warm water. |
When to Call a Plumber
Some winter problems are fine to handle yourself, like draining hoses, opening cabinet doors and flushing a water heater. Call a professional when:
- A pipe has burst or you can see water where it shouldn’t be
- You can’t find or reach a frozen section of pipe
- Several drains are backing up at once
- Your water heater is leaking or making loud noises
- Your sump pump runs nonstop or the pit is close to overflowing
Mattioni offers 24/7 emergency service with same-day appointments across Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
Get Ahead of Winter
The easiest winter plumbing problem to fix is the one that never happens. Our Homeowner’s Winter Plumbing Prep Checklist walks you through everything to do before the first freeze, and our guide to preparing hydronic heat for freezing temperatures covers boiler systems.
Mattioni VIP members also get a yearly in-home plumbing inspection, a good way to catch weak spots before the cold does.
Don’t Let Winter Catch Your Pipes Off Guard
- Prep before the first freeze. Drain hoses, open cabinet doors on cold nights, and know where your main shutoff is.
- Watch for the warning signs. Trickling faucets, a struggling water heater and slow drains are early chances to act.
- Call us when it’s more than a quick fix. Our licensed plumbers are available 24/7.
We’ve kept Southeastern Pennsylvania homes running through winter since 1948. Schedule service online or call (610) 400-8510.
