A two-page printable checklist for Spokane and Spokane Valley homes: what to do before the first hard freeze, what to do the moment a pipe freezes or bursts, who is responsible for the sewer line, and the official local numbers worth keeping on the fridge. Every step is based on guidance from the City of Spokane, Spokane County, Avista, the American Red Cross and the U.S. EPA.
Realtors, property managers, landlords, neighborhood councils and community groups: this checklist may be printed and shared without asking first. It works well in closing and move-in packets, tenant welcome folders, newsletters and community resource pages. To share it online, link to this page:
Spokane Winter Plumbing Checklist
For Spokane & Spokane Valley homes · Keep it on the fridge
Before the First Hard Freeze
- Find the main water shutoff valve and note what each shutoff in the home controls.
- Test the main valve: close it, confirm the water stops, then reopen it. A valve that sticks or leaks should be replaced.
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas and along exterior walls (crawl space, garage, attic). Heat tape or heating cable adds protection.
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and drain underground irrigation lines.
- Close and seal crawl-space vents, and keep garage doors closed where plumbing runs.
- Locate the gas meter valve and keep a large wrench nearby, for a major emergency only.
Full guide: How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Spokane →
During a Cold Snap
- Keep the heat above 55°F, day and night, even when away from home.
- Open sink cabinet doors on exterior walls so warm air reaches the pipes.
- Let a cold-water faucet drip on exposed pipes; moving water is less likely to freeze.
- Traveling? Ask a neighbor to check on the house.
If a Pipe Freezes
- A faucet that only trickles, or won’t run, on a cold morning often means a frozen pipe.
- Shut off the water, or confirm the shutoff works, before thawing. A split pipe starts leaking as the ice melts.
- Thaw slowly with low heat: a hair dryer or a heating pad on low. Never use an open flame.
- Can’t find or reach the frozen section, or it’s inside a wall? Call a plumber.
Frozen pipe repair in Spokane →
If a Pipe Bursts
- Close the main shutoff valve right away.
- Stay clear of electricity: never touch wet electrical equipment or stand in water to reach it.
- Drain the lines: open a cold faucet in the basement or on the ground floor. Turn off power to an electric water heater.
- Move belongings out of the wet area and catch drips with buckets.
- Photograph or video the damage before cleanup, for insurance.
- Dry everything within 24–48 hours to help prevent mold.
- Call a plumber and confirm the contractor’s registration with WA L&I.
Important Spokane Numbers
Fill In for This Home
Know the Main Shutoff Valve
- Usually where the water line enters the house: basement, crawl space, garage or utility room.
- Round wheel handle (gate valve): turn clockwise until it stops, which takes several turns.
- Lever handle (ball valve): a quarter turn, so the lever sits across the pipe.
- The valve at the meter or curb box is usually for utility crews. Check with the water provider before using it.
How to find and shut off the main water valve →
Sewer Line: Who Is Responsible?
- City of Spokane: the property owner maintains and repairs the entire side sewer, from the house to the public main, including the section under the street.
- Spokane County: the line from the home to the street main is privately owned; the County maintains only the public main.
- Tree roots that grow into the side sewer are the homeowner’s responsibility.
- Before anyone clears a blocked sewer line, call Avista: gas lines can cross sewer pipes.
Smell Gas?
- Leave the house right away and move upwind.
- Don’t use light switches, phones or anything that could make a spark inside.
- From a safe place, call 911 and Avista at 1-800-227-9187.
- Never turn the gas back on yourself.
Home Repair Help in Spokane
Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) runs home repair programs for owner-occupied homes that meet income guidelines, for health and safety hazards such as no water and plumbing problems. Call 509-456-7627 or visit snapwa.org.
Before Hiring a Plumber
- Check the contractor’s registration, bond and trade licenses at lni.wa.gov/verify.
- Ask for a written, itemized estimate before work begins.
- Ask whether a permit is needed, and who pulls it.
Two Quick Leak Tests
Water meter test (2 hours): read the water meter, use no water for two hours, then read it again. If the reading changed, there may be a leak somewhere in the home.
Toilet dye test (10 minutes): put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing. Color in the bowl means the tank is leaking.
How to check a home for a hidden water leak →
Sources: City of Spokane Water Department – Frozen Pipes; City of Spokane – Side Sewer Installation Handbook; Spokane County – Homeowner Responsibility; American Red Cross – Frozen Pipes; American Red Cross – Flood Safety; U.S. EPA – Mold, Moisture and Your Home; Avista – Natural Gas & Electric Safety Guide; SNAP – Home Repair; WA L&I – Verify a Contractor. Checked: November 8, 2026.
More Winter Guides for Spokane Homes
- How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Spokane: Winter Checklist
- Burst Pipe in Spokane? What to Do First
- How to Find and Shut Off the Main Water Valve
- Is It a Plumbing Emergency? What Can Wait and What Can’t
- 7 Signs of a Sewer Line Problem in Spokane
Pipe Frozen or Burst in Spokane?
One call connects to an independent, local plumbing provider serving Spokane and Spokane Valley for frozen pipes, burst pipes, leaks and other plumbing problems.
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Spokane Home Help is a referral service, not a plumbing contractor.
Spokane Home Help is a referral service and is not a plumbing contractor. Calls may be connected to an independent, third-party plumbing provider serving the caller’s area. Spokane Home Help does not perform plumbing work and is not responsible for the work, pricing, licensing or availability of any provider. Before work begins, confirm the provider’s Washington L&I registration and ask for a written estimate.