Winter plumbing tips for Melbourne homeowners

Melbourne winters are milder than much of Australia's south and alpine regions — but temperatures still drop to single digits overnight, hot water demand surges, and our plumbing team is consistently busier from June through August. Here's how to get your plumbing ready and avoid the most common winter call-outs.

The most common winter plumbing call-outs in Melbourne

• Hot water system failure — systems under stress from increased demand or at end of life often fail in winter. Nothing highlights a struggling hot water system like cold morning showers in July.

• Burst or cracked pipes — while Melbourne rarely gets the extreme frosts of alpine areas, pipes in uninsulated roof spaces or exposed outdoor areas can freeze and crack on very cold nights, particularly in Melbourne's hill suburbs.

• Blocked drains from heavy rain — winter storms push debris into stormwater systems and reveal drainage issues that were lurking unnoticed.

• Gas heating issues — if your gas heating isn't working, the issue is sometimes a faulty gas valve or pilot light, which a licensed gas fitter can address quickly.

Service your hot water system before winter

If your hot water system is 8 years or older and hasn't been serviced recently, have it checked in April or May — before the cold hits and your family's hot water demand increases. A plumber can check the anode rod (which prevents tank corrosion), test the temperature and pressure relief valve, check for any early signs of failure, and let you know whether replacement is on the horizon. A $150–$250 service call can extend the life of a system and prevent a mid-July emergency.

Protect exposed pipes from freezing

Melbourne rarely gets temperatures cold enough to freeze pipes in most suburbs — but there are exceptions. The Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Ranges, Mornington Peninsula hills, and any home with poorly insulated pipes in the roof cavity or on south-facing external walls are more vulnerable. Foam pipe lagging (available at any hardware store) is inexpensive and effective. Pay particular attention to any pipes that run through unheated spaces like roof cavities, under-house crawl spaces, or garden sheds.

Check your outdoor taps and irrigation

Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor taps over winter — water left in hoses can freeze and crack the tap fitting. If you have an automatic irrigation system, consider whether it needs winterising. Most Melbourne irrigation systems don't need full draining, but checking controller settings and turning off any zones that aren't needed in winter is good practice.

Know where your main shut-off valve is

If a pipe does burst or a fitting fails on a cold winter night, knowing exactly where your main water shut-off valve is and being able to turn it off quickly can prevent significant water damage. Find it now — it's usually at the water meter near the front boundary of your property.

Get your gas appliances checked

If your gas heater, hot water system, or cooktop hasn't been serviced in the past few years, winter is a good prompt. A licensed gas fitter can check for leaks, clean burners, and ensure appliances are running safely and efficiently. A poorly maintained gas appliance costs more to run and can pose a carbon monoxide risk in enclosed spaces.

Timing tip: Book hot water and heating checks in March or April. Once winter hits, wait times for plumbers and gas fitters increase significantly. Getting in early also means you have time to plan and budget for any replacement work before it becomes urgent.