Every winter, Rhino Rooter gets calls from homeowners in Belmont, Newton, Lexington, Cambridge and nearby communities dealing with frozen pipes, sewer backups, and water heater failures. In many cases, the problem didn’t start overnight. A drain may have been running slowly for weeks. A basement pipe may have been exposed to cold drafts. A water heater may have been making noise long before it stopped working. Then a stretch of freezing weather pushes the system past its brea

Fall in Massachusetts brings cooler nights, colorful leaves, and the reminder that winter is on its way. While most homeowners focus on raking, weatherproofing, and prepping heating systems, it’s easy to overlook one critical area: your drains and plumbing. Ignoring seasonal maintenance can lead to clogs, backups, or frozen pipes when you least expect it. In towns like Belmont , Newton , and Lexington , where older homes and tree-lined streets are common, drains face extra pr