Real Estate & Plumbing : Preparing Your Home For New England Winters

Plumbers & Cracks: The Winter Plumbing Mistakes That Could Cost Homeowners Thousands

Your guide to preventing frozen pipes, winterizing outdoor plumbing, and protecting your Massachusetts home before the first deep freeze.

When the temperatures start dropping in Massachusetts, most homeowners begin thinking about turning on the heat, putting away the patio furniture, and preparing for another unpredictable New England winter.

But there's something happening behind your walls, beneath your sinks, and outside your home that deserves just as much attention.

Your plumbing.

And if you're not prepared, a little water left in the wrong place could turn into a very expensive problem.

On a recent episode of Talk Real Estate Roundtable, Boston Connect Real Estate broker-owner Sharon McNamara welcomed back her husband, Mark McNamara of McNamara Plumbing, a licensed master plumber with nearly four decades of experience.

After discussing general fall and winter home maintenance during their previous episode, Sharon and Mark decided it was time to get into the plumbing details.

Sharon gave the show a playful title: "Plumbers & Cracks."

The name may have gotten a few laughs, but the subject was serious. When water freezes, it expands. When that happens inside your plumbing system, the results can be devastating.

From outdoor faucets and irrigation systems to seasonal cottages and forgotten bathroom fixtures, Sharon and Mark shared the things homeowners should know before freezing temperatures arrive.

And perhaps the biggest takeaway?