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From the Field
Yearly Home Plumbing Checklist
Most plumbing problems give a warning first. This list gives you one short job per season so you catch the warning.
Short answer: Plumbing maintenance works best in small, regular checks: a look under the sinks each month, a seasonal task for the water heater, well, septic and outdoor pipes, and a plan for what to do if the water ever has to be shut off.
- Every month: look under sinks and around the water heater for damp spots.
- Spring: check hose bibs, toilets and the well pressure tank.
- Summer: watch water use, outdoor spigots and septic load.
- Fall: flush the water heater if the maker says to, and prepare for freezes.
- Winter: know your main shutoff and keep an eye on cold crawl spaces.
Why a checklist beats waiting for a problem
A drip under a sink costs nothing to fix if you find it in a week. It costs a cabinet floor if you find it in a year. Most big plumbing repairs started as a small, quiet problem that nobody was looking at.
Mountain homes add a few extra things to watch. Many are on wells instead of public water, many are on septic systems instead of sewer, and many see hard freezes that stress pipes in crawl spaces. This checklist is built around those facts, and it only asks for jobs a homeowner can do without tools.
Every month: five minutes under the sinks
- Open the cabinet under each kitchen and bathroom sink. Feel the pipes and the cabinet floor for moisture.
- Look at the supply lines to each toilet for drips or crusty buildup.
- Glance at the water heater and the floor around it.
- Check the washing machine hoses and the wall box behind the machine.
- Listen for any sound of water running when nothing is on. That can point to a hidden leak. See our guide on finding a hidden water leak.
Write the date on a note inside a cabinet. A habit that takes five minutes is a habit you keep.
Found something on the list that does not look right?
Text Ryan a photo. He can tell you if it is a quick fix or something to book.
Spring: after the cold, before the busy season
Spring is the time to look for what winter did. Check the hose bibs: turn each one on and look at the wall behind it for water. A bib that froze may crack inside the wall, and the drip will not show until water pressure is on.
Test every toilet by flushing and listening. A toilet that keeps running wastes water and, on a septic system, sends extra water into the tank. Our page on a running toilet tells you what to try first.
If you are on a well, look at the pressure tank and its gauge, and listen to the pump. A pump that starts and stops every few seconds needs attention. See well pump short cycling. Open any seasonal cabin or second home by following our spring opening steps.
Summer: water use, outdoor taps and the septic system
Summer brings guests, more laundry and more outdoor water use. If you are on septic, spread out the heavy water use and avoid running many loads in a row. Keep an eye out for slow drains, gurgling pipes or damp, bad-smelling ground over the tank or the drain field. Those are reasons to call a septic company or to text Ryan about septic system repair.
Check the outdoor spigots again and make sure hoses are not left attached to bibs when you are done. Look at your water bill or your well pump run time. A change you cannot explain can point to a leak. If water pressure drops, our page on low water pressure lists the usual causes.
Fall: get ready for freezes
Fall is the most important season for pipes in North Georgia. Disconnect hoses, close and drain outdoor lines, and insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls. The full list is in our winterizing guide, so use that page rather than guessing.
Fall is also a good time to look at the water heater. Many manufacturers recommend flushing the tank on a regular schedule to clear sediment, and well water with a lot of minerals can build up faster. Read your owner's manual for the right steps for your model, or ask Ryan about it at a visit. Check the pan and the pipes above and below the heater for signs of rust or moisture. The water heater service page covers repair and replacement.
Winter: know your shutoff and watch the cold spots
Before the first hard freeze, learn where your main shutoff is and test it. A valve that has not moved in years can stick. Our guide on shutting off your water main shows what to look for.
During cold snaps, open cabinet doors on exterior walls and let a faucet drip if a pipe has frozen before. If a pipe does freeze, see our frozen pipes page. If you leave town, follow our steps in leaving home for a trip.
Once a year: three bigger jobs
Some tasks only come around once a year. Put them on the calendar so they do not slide.
- Well water test: private wells are not tested by any utility, so the owner is responsible. Health agencies advise testing private well water on a regular schedule, and your county health office can tell you where to get a test.
- Septic care: have the system inspected and pumped by a septic company on a schedule based on your tank and household size.
- Water treatment: if you have a softener or filters, replace cartridges and top up salt as the maker says. Our page on water treatment covers systems Ryan installs.
“Ryan was knowledgeable, courteous, and took the time to explain the issue and the best solution. What impressed me the most was their honesty and fair pricing, no hidden fees or unnecessary upsells. It's clear that The Village Plumber truly cares about their customers.”
Cassie E., Google review, May 2025
When a checklist finds something
The point of looking is to find things early. When you do, write down what you saw, take a photo, and decide whether it is a today problem or a this-month problem. Water on the floor, a sewage smell, or a gas smell is a today problem. A slow drip or a tired fixture can usually wait for a normal visit. Ryan gives free estimates, so you know the price before any work starts, and he answers his own phone if you want a second opinion before you decide.
Questions People Ask
How often should I check my plumbing?
A quick look under the sinks once a month, plus one seasonal job each season, covers most homes. Put it on your calendar so it becomes a habit.
What plumbing jobs can I do myself?
Looking for leaks, testing toilets, disconnecting hoses, insulating exposed pipes and checking labels are all fine. Anything involving gas, the main line, a well pump or the water heater's internals is a job for a licensed plumber.
Do I need to flush my water heater?
Many manufacturers recommend it on a regular schedule, and well water can speed up sediment. Check your owner's manual for the steps for your model, or ask Ryan.
How do I know if my well needs work?
Look for pressure that swings, a pump that turns on and off quickly, sputtering faucets, or a change in the water. Any of those is worth a text or call.
When should my septic system be pumped?
A septic company can tell you based on your tank and your household. Ryan handles septic system repair, while pumping is done by a septic company.
Is a plumbing inspection worth it when buying a home?
Yes, especially for a mountain home with a well and septic. Read our guide on a plumbing inspection when buying a mountain home.
Related Reading
Want a Second Pair of Eyes?
Call or text Ryan with a photo of anything on your list. He answers his own phone.