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Winter puts more strain on your plumbing than any other time of year — colder incoming water makes your hot water system work harder, exposed pipes are more likely to split, and gas heaters get switched on for the first time in months. A little preparation now saves you a cold shower, a burst pipe, or a no-heat emergency on the worst possible night. Here is the checklist we run through for Auckland homes before winter sets in.
1. Protect Exposed and Outdoor Pipes
Auckland rarely gets hard frosts, but cold snaps still split pipes that are exposed to the elements — outdoor taps, pipes running along exterior walls, and anything in an unheated garage or under the house. Foam pipe lagging is cheap insurance. Pay particular attention to the pipe feeding your outdoor tap and any exposed mains pipework.
If a pipe does freeze and split, you may not know until it thaws and starts leaking. Knowing how to shut the water off quickly matters — see our guide on how to turn off your water and gas in an emergency.
2. Service Your Hot Water Before Peak Demand
Hot water systems fail more often in winter simply because they are working harder — the incoming mains water is colder, so the cylinder or continuous flow unit runs longer to reach temperature. A cylinder that was coping in summer can struggle in July.
If your hot water is already slow to recover, running out faster than it used to, or your cylinder is more than 10 to 12 years old, get it checked before winter rather than after it fails. Our guide on the 5 signs your hot water cylinder needs replacing covers what to watch for, and we explain the options in hot water cylinder vs continuous flow.
3. Make Sure Your Gas Heating Is Safe
Gas heaters that have sat unused all summer should be checked before you rely on them. This is a safety issue, not just an efficiency one — a poorly maintained or unflued gas heater can produce carbon monoxide. Flueless portable heaters in particular need adequate room ventilation to operate safely.
A qualified gasfitter can service the appliance, check the flue or ventilation, and confirm it is burning cleanly. If you ever smell gas, act immediately — see what to do if you smell gas.
4. Clear Your Gutters, Downpipes and Outside Drains
Winter brings Auckland's heaviest rain. Blocked gutters, downpipes and gully traps full of leaves cause overflows that can get into the house, flood foundations, and overload your stormwater. Clear them now, before the first big storm. If your outside drains are slow or you get pooling water, get the cause sorted before it becomes a blocked drain emergency.
5. Know Where Your Shut-Off Valves Are
Every adult in the house should know where the main water toby is and how to turn it off, plus the isolating valve at your hot water cylinder and your gas isolation valve. When a pipe lets go at 11pm, knowing how to stop the water in ten seconds is the difference between a mop-up and a ceiling repair.
6. Book a Pre-Winter Check
If you want peace of mind, a pre-winter plumbing and gas check covers the lot — water pressure, visible pipework, hot water performance, gas appliance safety, and shut-off valves. It is the same logic as a warrant of fitness: catch the small stuff before it becomes the expensive stuff. Our annual plumbing maintenance checklist walks through what is involved.
Pre-Winter Plumbing Help Across Auckland
Water and Gas Worx helps Auckland homeowners get ready for winter — from hot water and gas heater servicing to fixing the leaks and slow drains you would rather not deal with in the cold. For urgent problems, our emergency plumber service is available 24/7. See our areas we service.
Call 0800 322 322 or email [email protected] to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to get my plumbing ready for winter?
Autumn is ideal — late April through May — so everything is sorted before the cold and heavy rain arrive. That said, if you have not done it yet, it is never too late. The most common winter call-outs are no hot water and burst pipes, and both are far easier to prevent than to fix in the middle of a cold snap.
Do pipes really freeze and burst in Auckland?
It is far less common than in the South Island, but yes — exposed outdoor pipes, pipes in unheated garages, and pipework on cold exterior walls can still freeze and split during a hard cold snap. Lagging exposed pipes with foam insulation is cheap and effective protection.
How much does a pre-winter plumbing check cost?
Our rate is $155 plus GST for the first hour, then $100 plus GST per hour after that. After-hours is $295 plus GST for the first hour, then $100 plus GST per hour after that. Public holidays are $395 plus GST for the first hour, then $100 plus GST per hour after that. We can quote before starting so you know the cost upfront.
Should I service my gas heater every year?
Yes. An annual service before winter keeps a gas heater running safely and efficiently, and confirms it is burning cleanly without producing carbon monoxide. This is especially important for older heaters and flueless portable heaters, which rely on good room ventilation to operate safely.