Preparing Your Pipes for Winter in North Little Rock & Cabot, Arkansas
Why Protecting Outdoor Spigots Can Save You From Major Plumbing Problems
When winter rolls into North Little Rock, Cabot, and the surrounding Central Arkansas area, homeowners start thinking about staying warm — but one of the most important parts of winter prep often gets forgotten: protecting your plumbing.
Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on water lines, especially outdoor spigots and exposed pipes. A frozen or burst pipe can lead to thousands of dollars in water damage, inconvenient repairs, and plenty of stress. At Sanders Plumbing HVAC, we’ve seen it all — and we want to help you keep your home’s plumbing safe and sound all season long.
The Risk of Frozen Pipes in Arkansas
While Central Arkansas doesn’t see the extreme winters of northern states, our temperature swings can still dip well below freezing. The sudden drop often catches homeowners off guard, especially during overnight cold snaps.
Frozen pipes are more than an inconvenience. When water inside a pipe freezes, it expands — putting pressure on the pipe walls until they burst. Once temperatures rise, that frozen water turns into a flood, often inside walls, under floors, or in your yard.
Even a small crack can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, wasting water and damaging your home’s foundation, drywall, and flooring.
Why Outdoor Spigots Are the First to Freeze
Outdoor faucets, also known as spigots or hose bibs, are particularly vulnerable. They’re directly exposed to the cold and often connected to uninsulated pipes that run through exterior walls.
Many homeowners forget to disconnect hoses or shut off the water supply to outdoor spigots. That trapped water freezes and expands, cracking the pipe behind the wall. By the time you notice water pooling near your foundation, the damage is already done.
In North Little Rock and Cabot, where late-fall weather can change overnight, one unprotected spigot can cause a costly repair before you even realize temperatures have dropped below freezing.
How to Prepare Your Pipes and Spigots for Winter
Taking a few simple steps can protect your plumbing from Arkansas’s unpredictable winter weather:
Disconnect and drain garden hoses. Water left inside a hose can freeze and back up into the pipe.
Shut off the water to outdoor spigots. If your home has an interior shutoff valve for outside faucets, close it and drain the line.
Install insulated faucet covers. Affordable covers from any hardware store can make a huge difference.
Add pipe insulation. Focus on areas in unheated spaces — crawl spaces, garages, basements, and attics.
Keep cabinet doors open during cold nights. This helps warm air reach pipes under sinks.
Let faucets drip slightly. A small trickle can keep water moving and prevent freezing.
At Sanders Plumbing HVAC, we offer winter plumbing inspections to identify vulnerable areas in your home’s plumbing system. We check for exposed lines, recommend insulation options, and make sure your outdoor water connections are winter-ready.
Why Professional Help Matters
While some homeowners prefer a DIY approach, a professional plumbing inspection ensures nothing gets missed. Our team at Sanders Plumbing HVAC has decades of experience handling Arkansas’s unique weather challenges.
We use specialized equipment to detect hidden leaks, check for weak pipe joints, and verify that your water heater and pipes are operating efficiently. Regular maintenance helps prevent emergencies — and that’s especially important during freezing weather, when emergency plumbers are in high demand.
Plus, as part of our Can Do Club Membership, members receive priority service, discounts on repairs, and annual plumbing inspections, so you’re always one step ahead of seasonal issues.
The Cost of Forgetting Your Outdoor Spigots
It’s easy to overlook outdoor faucets — they’re small, out of sight, and not used often in the winter. But the cost of forgetting them can be significant.
A burst outdoor spigot can lead to:
Water leaks behind walls or under foundations
Mold and mildew growth from hidden moisture
Wasted water and higher utility bills
Expensive emergency plumbing repairs
By taking the time now to prepare, you can avoid a major headache later.
Don’t Wait — Protect Your Plumbing Before the Freeze
When cold weather hits North Little Rock, Cabot, and Central Arkansas, your plumbing shouldn’t be on the list of things to worry about. Let the experts at Sanders Plumbing HVAC help you winterize your home and ensure your pipes are ready for the season.
Whether it’s insulating pipes, servicing your water heater, or preparing your outdoor spigots, we’re your trusted partner for reliable, professional plumbing care.