Winter in Salt Lake City means freezing nights, heavy holiday cooking, and lots of family gatherings. Nothing can ruin the mood like cold showers, clogged drains, or, worse, a flooded basement. Here’s our step-by-step guide to protecting your home and keeping your guests comfortable this holiday and cold season in Salt Lake City.
1. Flush Your Water Heater
Salt Lake’s hard water creates thick layers of sediment inside tanks. By December, we start to see water heaters making popping sounds before failing.
How to Check Your Water Heater:
- Shut off power/gas.
2. Connect a hose to the drain valve at the bottom.
3. Drain several gallons until the water runs clear.
Watch for failure: Rumbling noises, rusty water, or hot water running out quickly.
- Shut off power/gas.
2. Insulate Pipes
Exposed pipes in garages and basements freeze fast in Utah’s overnight lows. A frozen pipe = a burst pipe.
What to Check for :
- Look for exposed copper or PVC pipes.
2. Slip foam insulation sleeves over them.
Watch for failure: No water flow, frost on pipes, or sudden flooding.
- Look for exposed copper or PVC pipes.
3. Shut Off Exterior Faucets
One forgotten hose can freeze, crack the line, and flood your basement. A $5 outdoor hose bibb cover could save you $5,000 in repairs after a January freeze.
How-to:
- Shut off the interior valve (basement or crawlspace).
- Shut off the interior valve (basement or crawlspace).
2. Open the faucet outside to drain water.
3. Add foam cover.
Watch for failure: Drips on siding, wet basement walls, or cracked faucets.
4. Test Water Pressure
High water pressure (common here) destroys toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines. We replaced a water heater in Holladay that lasted only 5 years, all because of unchecked 100+ psi water pressure.
How-to:
- Attach a water pressure gauge to a faucet.
2. Ideal pressure: 50–70 psi.
Watch for failure: Toilets constantly running, frequent leaks, or hoses bursting.
- Attach a water pressure gauge to a faucet.
5. Check Drains & Garbage Disposal
Holiday cooking = grease, potato peels, and food scraps. Perfect recipe for a clogged sink..
How-to:
- Run hot water for one minute, and watch if it drains slowly.
2. Turn on disposal, listen for grinding vs. humming.
Watch for failure: Gurgling sounds, slow draining, or humming but no grinding.
- Run hot water for one minute, and watch if it drains slowly.
Protect your home and keep your guests comfortable this holiday season. These plumbing checks can be tricky, and it’s essential to get them done right. If you’re unsure where to start, or if something doesn’t look quite right, call Monkey Wrench Plumbing. Our licensed plumbers will take care of everything, making sure your home is safe, efficient, and fully prepared for the cold season ahead.
