Holiday Plumbing Tips for a Safe, Cozy Wisconsin Winter (From your friends at Viking Plumbing)

The holidays in Wisconsin are all about cozy nights in, big family gatherings, and hopefully… no surprise plumbing emergencies. Between freezing temps, extra guests, and holiday travel, your home’s plumbing system works overtime this time of year. A little prep now can go a long way toward preventing frozen pipes, leaks, and costly repairs later.

Here are some practical plumbing tips from the Viking Plumbing team to help you enjoy a safe, stress-free holiday season—whether you’re staying home or heading out of town.

Winter Plumbing Tips for Cold Wisconsin Temps

Wisconsin winters don’t mess around. When temps drop, your pipes are at higher risk of freezing and bursting. Here’s how to protect your home:

1. Keep the heat on (even if you’re gone for the day)

It’s tempting to crank the thermostat way down to save money—but if it gets too cold, your pipes pay the price.

• Try to keep your home at no lower than 55°F.

• Rooms with plumbing on exterior walls (bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements) benefit from staying even a bit warmer.

2. Open cabinet doors under sinks

Pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks can get very cold, especially if they’re next to exterior walls.

• Open cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around the pipes.

• This is especially important overnight on those below-zero Wisconsin nights.

3. Let faucets drip in extreme cold

On the coldest nights, a small trickle of water can help prevent pipes from freezing.

• Focus on faucets along exterior walls or in unheated areas.

• Moving water is less likely to freeze, and the tiny increase in your water bill is nothing compared to a burst pipe repair.

4. Disconnect hoses and protect outdoor spigots

Before deep winter hits:

• Disconnect and store garden hoses.

• Shut off the water supply to outdoor spigots (if your home has inside shutoff valves).

• Use insulated faucet covers where possible to add extra protection.

5. Insulate exposed pipes

Pipes in basements, crawlspaces, garages, and unheated utility rooms can use some extra help.

• Install pipe insulation sleeves or wrap exposed pipes with insulation or heat tape (rated for plumbing use).

• Pay special attention to pipes near windows, doors, or vents that can let cold air in.

Hosting for the Holidays? Be Kind to Your Drains

Holiday gatherings are great—until your sink, toilet, or garbage disposal decides to go on strike. With more people in the house, your plumbing system is under extra stress.

6. Watch what goes down the kitchen sink

Holiday cooking often means more grease, fat, and food scraps—exactly what your plumbing does not want.

• Never pour grease, oils, or fat down the drain. Let them cool and dispose of them in the trash.

• Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps, and scrape plates into the garbage before rinsing.

7. Be gentle with your garbage disposal

Your disposal can’t handle everything. Avoid putting in:

• Bones

• Fibrous vegetables (celery, onion skins, corn husks)

• Large amounts of potato peels

• Coffee grounds or eggshells

Run cold water while the disposal is on to help flush debris through the system.

8. Stagger showers and laundry

If you’ve got a full house, your hot water heater and drains can get overwhelmed.

• Stagger showers throughout the day.

• Give your water heater a little time to recover between uses.

• Spread out laundry loads so you’re not running everything at once.

Traveling for the Holidays? Plumbing Tips Before You Leave

If you’re traveling for several days or longer, a few simple steps can help protect your home while you’re gone.

9. Consider turning off the main water supply

For extended trips, one of the best protections you can give your home is to:

• Shut off the main water valve to the house, especially in winter.

• After turning it off, open a couple of faucets to relieve pressure in the lines.

If you’re not sure where your main shutoff is or how to safely turn it off, Viking Plumbing can help you locate and label it for future use.

10. Set your thermostat wisely

Even if nobody’s home, your pipes still need heat.

• Keep the thermostat set to 55°F or higher.

• If you have smart thermostats, set alerts so you’re notified if the temperature drops too low.

11. Put your water heater in vacation mode

If your water heater has a “vacation” or “low” setting, use it before you leave.

• This saves energy while still protecting the system.

• If you shut off the main water supply, this is an ideal time to use that vacation mode as well.

12. Ask a neighbor or family member to check in

If possible, have someone you trust:

• Walk through the home once or twice while you’re gone.

• Check for any signs of leaks or unusually cold rooms.

• Confirm the heat is running properly.

A quick check-in can catch small issues before they turn into major damage.

Want Extra Peace of Mind?

If you’d like a professional set of eyes on your plumbing before the deep freeze or your holiday travel, Viking Plumbing is here to help.

We can:

• Inspect vulnerable areas for freeze risk

• Check water heaters, softeners, and filtration systems

• Make sure your shutoff valves are working and labeled

• Help you put together a simple plumbing “winter and travel” plan for your home

Because at the end of the day, we believe You Deserve Good Water—and a home that’s protected year-round.

A Holiday Message from the Viking Plumbing Family

From our entire Viking Plumbing family to yours:We wish you a happy, safe, and stress-free holiday season.

Thank you for trusting us with your home, your water, and your family’s comfort. Whether you’re staying cozy in Wisconsin for the holidays or traveling to see loved ones, we’re here when you need us—this season and all year long.

If you have questions about winterizing your plumbing, getting ready for holiday travel, or scheduling a visit, just give us a call or reach out online.

Stay warm, stay safe… and enjoy the season. 🎄❄️🛠️