Winter Plumbing Tips for Downingtown PA & Chester County Homeowners

How to Prevent Frozen & Burst Pipes This Season

If you live in Downingtown, Chester Springs, Exton, West Chester, or anywhere in Chester County, you know winter temperatures can swing fast — from single digits overnight to 50 degrees the next afternoon.

And when that happens? That’s when pipes burst.

At KCMG Real Estate Advisors, we don’t just help people buy and sell homes — we help homeowners protect their investments. Recently, we sat down with Debbie Riechert of Rocket Plumbing and Drain (Chester Springs, PA) for a Community Spotlight interview, and she shared critical winter plumbing advice every local homeowner should know.

Here’s what you need to watch for this season.

The #1 Winter Plumbing Risk in Chester County: Frozen Pipes

During deep freezes in Downingtown and surrounding areas, the most common calls plumbers receive are for:

• Frozen pipes

• Burst pipes

• Cracked hose bibs

• Water heater failures

The real danger often happens when temperatures rise quickly. When pipes thaw too fast, pressure builds — and that’s when they burst.

🔹 What You Should Do During a Deep Freeze

If temperatures drop below freezing:

✔️ Keep faucets running — especially those on exterior walls (like kitchen sinks).
✔️ Don’t just drip — allow a small, steady stream.
✔️ Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate.
✔️ Use space heaters in vulnerable areas (basements, well rooms, utility spaces).

Many Chester County homeowners worry about their water bill — but as Debbie explained, the cost of a slightly higher water bill is nothing compared to the cost of water damage repairs.

What NOT to Do If Pipes Freeze

This is where many homeowners make a costly mistake.

🚫 Do NOT use a hair dryer or propane torch to rapidly thaw frozen pipes.
🚫 Do NOT assume shutting off the main water line is enough.

When you rapidly add heat to a frozen pipe, expansion can cause it to burst immediately.

Instead:

• Slowly warm the surrounding area.

• Increase your home’s heat.

• Let pipes thaw naturally as temperatures rise.

Hose Bibs & Outdoor Plumbing in Downingtown Homes

Many homes in Downingtown and Chester Springs have exterior hose bibs that crack during winter.

The mistake? Leaving hoses attached.

If you haven’t already:

• Remove hoses immediately.

• Drain exterior lines in fall (this should be done before winter).

• Consider products like a freeze-protection valve (commonly called a Freeze Miser).

Once winter is underway, prevention becomes much harder — and replacements are common.

Going on Vacation? Here’s What Most Homeowners Get Wrong

A lot of Chester County homeowners turn off their main water valve before traveling and assume they’re protected.

But here’s the issue:
There’s still water sitting in your pipes.

If you shut off the main:

• Open all faucets.

• Flush toilets.

• Run showers briefly.

• Drain lines completely before leaving.

If water has nowhere to go when it freezes and expands, pipes burst.

The Smart Upgrade More Chester County Homeowners Are Installing

One of the best preventative tools right now is a whole-house automatic water shutoff system, like Flow by Moen.

These systems:

• Monitor water usage

• Detect abnormal flow

• Automatically shut off water if a leak is detected

• Offer app-based alerts

• Often qualify for homeowner’s insurance discounts

Installation typically costs under $1,000 — which is far less than the cost of a flooded basement.

For homeowners in higher-end Downingtown or Chester Springs properties, this is becoming a smart long-term investment.

Warning Signs Before a Pipe Bursts

If your home has:

PEX piping (red/blue plastic lines)
Look for bubbling along the pipe. A visible bubble usually means a burst is imminent.

Copper piping
Unfortunately, there is often no warning.

If you see anything unusual, call a licensed plumber immediately.

Supporting Local Businesses: Rocket Plumbing & Drain

If you need plumbing help locally, we recently featured:

Rocket Plumbing and Drain
Chester Springs, PA | Chester County
📞 (484) 209-1184
🌐 https://rocketdrainpa.com
Facebook: @rocketplumbinganddrain

We love spotlighting local professionals who serve our community well.