Tips to Protect Your Drainage Systems During Winter
7063837684 • February 13, 2025
The cold winter months can leave your plumbing and drainage system more vulnerable to damage and other troublesome issues. This includes frozen pipes, blocked drains, and sewer backups, resulting in costly repairs. Because of this, preparing your home drainage system before freezing temperatures occur is crucial. Here are some tips to help you:
Check Your Drains
Pipes tend to contract in lower temperatures, making blockages more likely during winter. So, before this season comes, your drains must be free-flowing and devoid of waste, debris, and other items that could cause a clog.
It’s also crucial that your piping and its different components are free from damage and not malfunctioning, ensuring your system will run efficiently in the cold weather. If you need help repairing or replacing drain pipes, call a plumber.
Clear Out Fallen Leaves and Outdoor Debris
When leaves, twigs, and other small debris pile up in your backyard, they may accidentally fall or end up in your drains, especially on windy days. This can lead to blockages, which could damage piping and cause leaks or an overflow, resulting in sewer backups or flooding. Regularly clearing these leaves and other outdoor waste can prevent drainage clogs, ensuring a healthy system come winter.
Insulate Your Pipes
Water freezing in your pipes not only obstructs proper water flow but may also cause piping to crack and burst, causing flooding and wreaking havoc in your home. One way to prevent frozen pipes is by wrapping them with insulation foam, especially those located outdoors and in unheated walls, like attics and crawlspaces.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
While looking for drainage issues yourself is helpful, there is only so much you can do, especially without the right equipment. Hiring a plumbing professional can ensure a more comprehensive inspection. Their expertise and specialized tools allow them to detect existing and potential drain problems and provide the ideal solutions in preparation for winter.
Contact Us for Reliable Plumbing Services
Learning how to protect and winterize your home drainage system can help prevent plumbing problems once winter sets in, allowing you to enjoy the cold months with ease. Still, if you are unsure and want professional assistance, hire a plumber. Contact us at NorthStar Plumbing and Drain Cleaning today! We offer reliable drain cleaning, repair, and maintenance services in Fargo, ND.

As summer winds down and the back-to-school season picks up, it’s easy to put home maintenance on the back burner. But if you want to avoid costly plumbing issues this fall and winter, now is the perfect time to knock out a few important fixes. Here are 5 plumbing tasks every homeowner should tackle before the seasons changes and why doing them now can save you time, money, and stress later. 1. Find and Fix Hidden Leaks That tiny drip under your sink or behind the toilet might not seem like a big deal — but it adds up fast. Not only can leaks lead to water damage, but they also waste gallons of water (and dollars) every month. A quick inspection now can prevent a much bigger headache when temperatures drop and pipes become more vulnerable. 2. Test Your Sump Pump Late summer storms and early fall rain can overload your drainage system if your sump pump isn’t working properly. If it’s been a while since it was last checked, now’s the time. We’ll make sure everything is operating smoothly so you’re protected during heavy rain or unexpected snow melt. 3. Clear Out Slow Drains Are your sinks or tubs draining slower than usual? Hair, soap, and debris can build up over time, especially during the high-use summer months. A professional drain cleaning ensures water flows freely and helps prevent backups during the colder months when pipes can contract and clog more easily. 4. Inspect Your Water Heater No one wants to be stuck with a freezing shower in October. Your water heater has worked hard all summer and now’s the time for a quick inspection. We’ll check for signs of wear, flush out sediment buildup, and make sure it’s running efficiently before the weather cools. 5. Prep Your Outdoor Plumbing It’s not quite time to winterize your outdoor faucets and irrigation lines, but you can still get ahead by checking for leaks, replacing worn washers, and making sure everything shuts off properly. Come October, you’ll be glad you planned ahead. ✅ Ready to Prep Your Plumbing for Fall? NorthStar Plumbing & Drain Cleaning offers honest, reliable service for Fargo–Moorhead homeowners whether you need a quick fix, routine checkup, or full system inspection. Book your pre-fall plumbing service now and step into the new season with confidence.
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