Winterizing Your Plumbing in Johnson County: A Fall Checklist
By FlowRight Plumbing of Overland Park · · Sources linked in each section
Most burst pipes we’re called about could have been prevented with an hour of work in the fall. WaterOne says precautions make sense once temperatures drop to around 20°F, and the greatest risk comes when temperatures sit in the single digits for several days. Here’s the checklist, in the order we’d do it.
1. Outdoor faucets (hose bibbs)
- Disconnect every hose. A frost-free hose bibb can only drain when the hose is off; a connected hose traps water in the valve body inside the wall.
- If you have standard (non-frost-free) bibbs with an interior shutoff, close the shutoff, then open the outdoor tap to drain the line. Leave it open for the winter.
- No interior shutoff? WaterOne suggests an insulated faucet cover. Better still, have a frost-free bibb installed.
Source: WaterOne: Prevent Frozen Pipes. Checked October 2026.
2. Sprinkler systems
Turn off and drain automatic and manual sprinkler systems before the first freeze, as WaterOne advises. Repeated freezing and thawing cracks pipe and fittings and creates silent underground leaks. Locate the irrigation shutoff, and make sure any outdoor backflow prevention device is prepared for winter.
Source: WaterOne: Prevent Frozen Pipes. Checked October 2026.
3. Find and test your main shutoff
In most single-family homes the main shutoff is in the basement or crawl space, on the wall facing the street (WaterOne). Turn it off and back on once. If it’s stiff, won’t close fully or leaks at the stem, have it replaced now rather than during an emergency. Keep the meter pit lid near the street accessible and closed.
Source: WaterOne: Prevent Frozen Pipes. Checked October 2026.
4. Insulate the usual suspects
- Pipes on exterior walls, especially under kitchen and bathroom sinks
- Lines through unheated garages, crawl spaces and unfinished basements
- Pipes near windows and rim joists
- Crawl space vents: block them with rigid foam for the winter, as WaterOne suggests
Source: WaterOne: Prevent Frozen Pipes. Checked October 2026.
5. During a deep freeze
- Open cabinet doors on exterior walls so room air reaches the pipes
- Keep the garage door closed if plumbing runs through it
- Let a very slow drip run at the faucet farthest from where water enters the house
- Keep the thermostat above 65°F if you’re away for several days
Source: WaterOne: Prevent Frozen Pipes. Checked October 2026.
6. Leaving town?
Turn off the water at the main and set the water heater to vacation or pilot. WaterOne customers can request a precautionary shutoff at the meter while away (913-895-1800; trip charges apply). Ask a neighbor to check the house during long cold spells.
Source: WaterOne: Prevent Frozen Pipes. Checked October 2026.
7. Buried lines that freeze
If your water service line has frozen before, it may be too shallow. Overland Park sets its frost line at 36 inches and requires exterior water supply piping to be at least 6 inches below it (Ordinance BC-3499). See water line repair and replacement.
Source: Overland Park Ordinance BC-3499 (2024 International Codes, effective July 1, 2026). Checked October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When should I winterize my outdoor faucets in Kansas?
Before the first hard freeze, typically in October or November. Disconnect hoses and drain the bibbs; WaterOne advises taking precautions at around 20°F.
Do frost-free faucets need winterizing?
Yes: disconnect the hose. A frost-free bibb drains itself only when nothing is attached.
What should I do if a pipe freezes?
Shut off the water or test the shutoff, open the faucet and apply gentle heat (a hair dryer) from the faucet end toward the frozen section. Never use an open flame. If you can’t reach it, call.
Related pages
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