Winter Plumbing Tips for Second Homes and Rentals in the Hill Country
A lot of Hill Country homes sit empty for part of the winter. Weekend places outside Fredericksburg, guest cottages in Kerrville, and rental houses between tenants can go days or weeks without anyone turning on a faucet.
That’s why winter plumbing tips for second homes look different from the advice for a house you live in. In an occupied home, someone usually notices a frozen pipe within hours. In an empty property, a pipe can freeze, split, and leak until the next guest or tenant walks through the door. A little preparation before the first freeze is far easier than cleaning up after one.
Holloway Plumbing has helped property owners across Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Boerne, and the surrounding Hill Country for decades. Here’s what our plumbers recommend for second homes and rentals, plus a checklist for the day you lock up.
Why Are Second Homes and Rentals More Likely to Have Frozen Pipes?
Because nobody is there to catch the early signs. An empty home usually runs a lower thermostat, so less heat reaches pipes in exterior walls, and faucets go unused for long stretches. When a pipe freezes and splits in a vacant house, water can run for days before anyone finds it, which turns a small repair into a much bigger one.
A few other questions come up with Hill Country properties.
- How Low Can I Set the Thermostat in an Empty House? Keep the heat no lower than the mid-50s through the winter. Pipes inside exterior walls, under sinks, and in unheated spaces run colder than the room air, so a much lower setting can still let them freeze. A smart thermostat lets you check the temperature remotely and turn the heat up ahead of a cold snap.
- Should I Shut Off the Water When I Leave My Second Home? In most cases, yes. Closing the main shutoff limits how much water can escape if a pipe breaks while you’re away. If your property has a fire sprinkler system or a boiler that needs a constant water supply, talk with a plumber before you shut anything off.
- What Should I Do With the Water Heater in a Vacant Home? Switch it to vacation mode or its lowest setting if the home will sit empty for a while. If you’re draining the plumbing completely, turn off the power or gas to the water heater first. An electric unit that heats without water inside can burn out its heating elements quickly.
- How Do Rentals Change Winter Plumbing Prep? Tenants and short-term guests don’t know your home’s quirks. They may not know where the main shutoff is, which pipe froze last year, or that hoses need to come off the spigots. Clear written instructions and a 24/7 plumbing contact will help them respond fast if something goes wrong.
How Can a Plumber Help Protect a Second Home or Rental This Winter?
A licensed plumber will find the spots in your property most likely to freeze, fix the weak points, and set the home up to sit safely empty. Holloway Plumbing offers upfront pricing and same-day service, so you’ll know what’s involved before any work begins.
- Schedule a Plumbing Inspection: An inspection before winter will catch worn valves, slow leaks, aging supply lines, and pipes in vulnerable spots. For a property you can’t check on often, it’s the most useful place to start.
- Repair or Replace the Main Shutoff Valve: A main shutoff that’s stiff, corroded, or won’t close fully defeats the purpose of turning off the water when you leave. Your plumber will test it and replace it if needed, so you or a property manager can close it without a fight.
- Drain the Plumbing for Long Vacancies: If the home will sit empty for most of the winter, your plumber can drain the supply lines and water heater so there’s no water left to freeze. They’ll also walk you through how to bring everything back online when you return.
- Insulate Vulnerable Pipes: Pipes in crawlspaces, attics, garages, and exterior walls need extra protection in a home that runs cooler. Your plumber will recommend where insulation or heat tape will help most.
- Service the Water Heater: A flush before winter will clear out the sediment and scale that Hill Country hard water leaves behind. Your plumber will also check the relief valve and connections so the unit is ready to sit idle.
- Protect Your Well System: Many rural Hill Country properties rely on a private well. Your plumber will check the pump, pressure tank, and exposed lines to the house, then recommend ways to keep them from freezing while the property is empty.
What Should You Do Before Leaving a Second Home for the Winter?
Run through this checklist every time you close up the property.
- Set the thermostat no lower than the mid-50s
- Close the main water shutoff and open the lowest faucet to drain remaining water from the lines
- Turn the water heater to vacation mode or its lowest setting
- Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor spigots
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air can reach the pipes
- Place battery-powered leak sensors near the water heater, washing machine, and sinks
- Leave written instructions for guests, tenants, or managers, including where the main shutoff is
- Ask a neighbor or property manager to check the home after any hard freeze
If the property will sit empty for weeks at a time, or its pipes have frozen before, have a plumber look at it before the cold settles in.
Close Up Your Property With Confidence This Winter
When you or your next guest opens the door this winter, the water should run and the floors should be dry.
Start with the easy part. Check the thermostat, find the main shutoff, and take every hose off the house. If a valve won’t turn, a pipe runs through a cold crawlspace, or the property has frozen before, call a plumber now while scheduling is still easy.
Holloway Plumbing proudly serves Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Bandera, Comfort, Center Point, Ingram, Fair Oaks Ranch, Hunt, and communities throughout the Texas Hill Country. If something goes wrong while you’re away, 24/7 emergency service is available. Call (830) 483-8588 or schedule your service online.