Fall Plumbing & Heating Checklist for Hill Country Homes

Edited: October 1, 2025

Fall in the Hill Country is unlike anywhere else. Warm afternoons, crisp evenings, and the occasional hard freeze mean your home’s plumbing and heating systems need to be ready for just about anything. At 72 Degrees Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing, we’ve seen how quickly a sudden cold snap can put strain on homes in Fredericksburg and across the Hill Country.

That’s why we’ve put together this seasonal checklist—the same steps our technicians follow to keep homes, vacation rentals, and even wine rooms running smoothly all season long.

Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for Fall

Plumbing problems are never convenient, but in the Hill Country they can be especially tough with its long rural water lines, hard water sediment, and septic systems all bringing their own challenges. Here’s how to get ahead of them this fall:

Insulate outdoor & exposed pipes

Pipes in well houses, barns, garages, and crawlspaces are especially vulnerable to freezing during a cold snap. Adding insulation now helps prevent burst pipes and the costly water damage they cause.

Check outdoor faucets & irrigation systems

Before the first hard freeze, disconnect hoses, shut off spigots, and drain irrigation lines. It’s a small step that protects your home’s plumbing and helps prevent cracked pipes in your yard or garden.

Water heater flush & maintenance

Hill Country water is hard, which means sediment builds up quickly. As part of regular water heater maintenance, draining a few gallons from your tank each fall keeps hot water flowing efficiently. If you own a short-term rental, this step is especially important—cold showers are a surefire way to spoil a guest’s stay.

Check septic systems & drains

Many homes outside Fredericksburg city limits rely on septic systems. Fall is a great time to schedule an inspection, check drain fields, and pump tanks if needed to avoid backups in the winter months.

Look for leaks & drips

Walk through your home and outbuildings to check sinks, toilets, and visible pipes. Even a slow drip can waste hundreds of gallons over the season. For STR owners, fixing leaks now means one less maintenance call while guests are in the home.

Schedule a professional plumbing inspection

Not every issue is easy to spot. Our team at 72 Degrees Texas knows how to check water lines, drains, and fixtures for hidden problems—so you’re not surprised when colder weather arrives.

Heating System Maintenance Checklist for Fall

Plumbing checked off the list? Great—now let’s talk heat. In the Hill Country, we see it all: propane furnaces, heat pumps, ductless units, and plenty of wood stoves. Each needs its own fall TLC to keep your home cozy when the first real chill sets in.

Schedule a heating tune-up & inspection

A seasonal tune-up is the best way to make sure your heating system, whether propane, electric, or ductless, is ready for cooler nights. Our technicians check controls, clean coils, and ensure everything is running safely and efficiently, reducing the chance of costly mid-winter repairs.

Replace or clean air filters

Clean filters keep air moving and reduce wear on your equipment. This applies to furnaces, heat pumps, and ductless systems. If your home has a dedicated mini-split for a wine room, filter cleaning is essential for keeping temperatures steady and protecting your collection.

Propane furnace & gas line safety check

Propane tanks are common across the Hill Country. Fall is the time to have gas lines inspected and safety systems tested to ensure reliable heating during the first freeze.

Inspect heat pumps & ductless mini-splits

Heat pumps are popular here because they handle both cooling and heating. A fall checkup includes coil cleaning, refrigerant level checks, and system testing. For ductless systems, like those used in wine rooms or guest houses, professional maintenance keeps them running efficiently and avoids surprise failures.

Fireplace & wood stove safety

If your home uses a fireplace or stove for supplemental heating, schedule a chimney and flue cleaning. Creosote buildup is a fire hazard, and a clean chimney ensures safe, efficient burning.

Test the thermostat

Make sure your thermostat responds quickly and keeps temperatures steady. If you own a vacation rental, upgrading to a smart thermostat makes it easy to manage heating remotely between guest stays.

Drainage & Rural System Prep

Hill Country weather doesn’t just bring cold—it can also mean heavy rains and flash flooding. Proper drainage keeps your property safe year-round.

Clear gutters & downspouts

Remove leaves and debris so rainwater flows away from your home’s foundation. Pooling water can cause erosion and damage over time.

Yard drains & French drains

Homes on sloped lots often rely on drainage systems to move water away. Check that yours are clear and flowing freely before the next downpour.

Septic system maintenance

If it’s been a few years since your last pump, fall is a smart time to schedule it. A well-maintained septic system protects both your property and your guests’ experience if you rent your home.

Why Preventive Maintenance Matters

In Fredericksburg and across the Hill Country, homes face unique challenges—hard water, propane heating, rural drainage, and the demands of STR properties. We’ve seen the difference routine maintenance makes: lower energy bills, fewer emergencies, and safer homes. A small investment in fall upkeep is always less costly than dealing with burst pipes or a failed heating system in the middle of winter.

That’s why we offer our Care Club. Members get scheduled visits twice a year where we handle the details for you—plumbing checks, water heater maintenance, propane furnace inspections, coil cleaning, thermostat calibration, and more. For short term rental owners, Care Club means peace of mind that your property is always ready for guests. For homeowners, it’s one less thing to worry about when the seasons change.

Call the Wizards of Comfort Today!

From leaky faucets to propane furnace tune-up, or even keeping your wine room mini-split running right, 72 Degrees Texas has been serving the Hill Country since 1986. Whether it’s your family home or a vacation rental, we’re here to keep it running smoothly this fall.

Call today or schedule online, and let us take your fall maintenance off your plate before the first freeze.