# Winter drain and pipe problems

Source: https://cantleyvidanjoraltyapi.com/en/blog/winter-drain-problems/

Published: 2026-10-17

## In short

- Fat sets faster in a cold pipe. Instead of pouring pan fat down the sink, wipe it out with paper and put it in the bin.
- Frost is rare in Istanbul, but on freezing nights exposed balcony pipes and boiler condensate hoses can freeze.
- Clearing leaves from balcony and terrace drain strainers in autumn prevents overflow in a winter downpour.
- In a home you will leave empty over winter, shut off the water at the main valve and drain the exposed pipes.
- If several drains slow down at the same time, the problem may be in the shared line. In that case, call a plumber.

Winter drain and pipe problems usually come from three sources: kitchen fat that sets quickly in the cold, exposed pipes that chill on freezing nights, and downpours that bring a lot of water in a short time. Istanbul winters are generally mild, and snow and frost are limited to a few days. Even so, those few days can be enough for an unprepared balcony pipe or a terrace drain strainer packed with leaves.

Most of these problems can be prevented with small checks done before winter arrives. Knowing which pipes are genuinely at risk and which ones are only a little slower in the cold also cuts down on needless worry and helps you focus on the right place.

## Why does the kitchen drain block more often in the cold?

The kitchen drain blocks more often in winter because fat sets faster in a cold pipe. Fat that flows away with hot washing-up water loses its heat in pipes running close to an outer wall or down from an unheated basement, and it sticks to the inner surface of the pipe. The same fat that gets carried a bit further along the line in summer forms a layer closer to the trap and the first bends in winter.

Frying, sautéing and oily soups also become more common at the winter table, so the amount of fat passing through the drain goes up. Wiping plates and pots with a paper towel before washing them sends most of the fat to the bin. Running warm water for a while after the washing-up is done eases the line. Boiling water, on the other hand, is not suitable for this job, because it can soften the joints of PVC pipes.

## Can pipes on the balcony and outer wall freeze?

Pipes do not freeze often in Istanbul, but thin exposed pipes can freeze on freezing, windy nights. A pipe with standing water inside freezes more easily during the night hours when nothing is flowing. Lines that run inside the building and within the wall are rarely affected by this kind of cold.

Water does not flow through a frozen pipe, and because ice expands, the pipe or its fitting can crack. This damage is often noticed only when the weather warms up and water starts to seep through the crack. Do not try to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame or boiling water. Wait for the surroundings to warm up on their own, or soften the pipe slowly with a warm towel. On nights when frost is expected, check these points in particular:

- The inlet and outlet hoses of a washing machine on the balcony
- Garden and terrace taps, and the exposed pipes leading to them
- The thin hose that carries the boiler's condensate to the balcony drain; if it freezes, the boiler may fault
- Water lines passing through the attic or an unheated storeroom

## Why do balcony and terrace drains overflow in a winter downpour?

The main reason balcony and terrace drains overflow in a winter downpour is the leaves, soil and sand that collect in the strainers during autumn. This build-up goes unnoticed in light rain, but when a lot of water arrives in a short time it blocks the flow and the water pools on the balcony. Water that seeps in under the door threshold can damage the parquet and even the ceiling of the neighbour downstairs.

Soil washed out of plant pots, leaves carried by the wind and sediment in the downpipe coming from the roof are the most common causes. Lifting the strainer cover, removing the debris within reach and then pouring a bucket of water to test the flow is often enough. If the water still stands, the blockage may be further along, in the building's downpipe. Do not try to reach that point by forcing a wire or rod into it.

## Precautions for homes and shops left empty in winter

In a home that will stand empty for a long time in winter, the most important precaution is to shut off the water at the main valve and drain the exposed pipes. That way, even if there is a cold night, there is no water left in the pipe to expand, and a possible leak will not run for days while nobody is there.

The water in unused drains also evaporates over time, and once the trap dries out, sewer smell spreads into the home. If a neighbour or relative can drop by now and then, having them run a little water into the taps and floor drains prevents this. In shops and offices, doing the same checks before long holidays makes reopening easier when you return.

- Shut off the main valve and open the lowest tap to drain the water in the line.
- After draining the balcony and garden taps, leave them open so no water stays inside.
- Make sure no water is trapped in the washing machine and dishwasher hoses.
- Clear the balcony drain strainers so rain that falls while you are away can flow freely.
- When you return, pour a bucket of water down each drain to check the flow and the smell.

## Which signs mean you should call a plumber during winter?

Several drains slowing down at the same time, water coming up from the drain on the lowest floor, or a manhole cover overflowing during rain all show that the problem is not in a single trap. In a case like this, working at it with a plunger or a chemical drain opener only drags things out. If you have used chemicals beforehand, be sure to tell the crew that comes, because the product sitting in the pipe can splash.

Cantley crews work 24/7 in all 39 districts of Istanbul and clear the blockage without breaking tiles. If needed, the inside of the pipe is checked with a camera, and the set fat and sediment are cleaned out with high-pressure water jetting. This noticeably lowers the chance of the line blocking again at the same point in the middle of winter.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do pipes freeze in winter in Istanbul?

Pipes do not freeze often in Istanbul. Frost is usually limited to a few freezing nights. On those nights the risk is in thin exposed pipes with water standing in them, such as those on balconies and in gardens. Lines inside the building are rarely affected by this cold.

### How do you thaw a frozen pipe?

A frozen pipe should thaw on its own as the surroundings warm up, or slowly with a warm towel. An open flame, boiling water or a strong heater placed against the pipe can damage the pipe and its joints. Once the pipe has thawed, check the connections for leaks.

### Why does the kitchen drain smell in winter?

A kitchen drain that smells in winter is most often caused by fat that has built up in the pipe and gone off. If the water is also draining slowly, the build-up has started to narrow the line. Warm water, or baking soda and vinegar, can work on a light build-up, but a thickened layer of fat needs the line to be cleaned with a machine.

### What should I do if my balcony drain overflows in the rain?

First lift the strainer cover and clear the leaves and soil, then test the flow with a bucket of water. If the water still collects, the blockage may be in the building's rainwater line, and it is right to have the line inspected with a camera.

## Ease your drains before winter arrives

If your drains have slowed down or your balcony floods in the rain, call 0212 923 66 85 or write to us on WhatsApp. Our crew comes to your address, shows you the problem on site and clears the line without breaking anything.

Phone: 0212 923 66 85 (tel:+902129236685)  
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/905315687185