Freezes don't come often in Central Texas, but when they do, they catch a lot of homes off guard. Many of our pipes run through attics, garages, and exterior walls that were never built with hard freezes in mind. Anyone who lived through the February 2021 winter storm remembers what happened next.
Preparation can reduce the risk of frozen pipes. Conditions vary by home; ask a qualified plumber about pipes that are inaccessible or difficult to protect.
Before the freeze
- Disconnect garden hoses. Water left in a hose can freeze and push back into the spigot and the pipe behind it.
- Cover outdoor faucets. Foam faucet covers from the hardware store are cheap and take seconds to put on.
- Insulate exposed pipes. Focus on pipes in the attic, garage, crawl space, and along exterior walls. Foam pipe sleeves work well.
- Find your main water shut-off. If a pipe bursts, this is the first thing you'll need. Make sure everyone in the house knows where it is.
- Seal drafts near pipes. Cold air sneaking in around vents, dryer lines, and openings can freeze a pipe even inside the house.
Pipe burst? Shut off your main water valve first, then call Winnies at (254) 391-6140.
During the freeze
- Let faucets drip. On sinks along exterior walls, open both hot and cold to a slow drip. Moving water is much harder to freeze.
- Open cabinet doors. Let warm air reach the pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks.
- Keep the heat steady. Hold the same temperature day and night. If you're leaving town, don't turn the heat off.
- Keep the garage door closed if there are water lines running through it.
If a pipe freezes anyway
If you turn on a faucet and get only a trickle, or nothing at all, a pipe may be frozen. Here's what to do:
- Keep the faucet open so water can flow as the ice melts.
- Warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater kept a safe distance away. Never use an open flame.
- If a pipe has burst, shut off the main water valve right away, then call a plumber.
After the thaw
Once temperatures come back up, walk the house. Check under sinks, in the attic, around the water heater, and outside for drips, wet drywall, or water pooling where it shouldn't. A small leak caught early is a much smaller repair.
If you'd rather have someone take a look, that's what we're here for. Winnies can check your home before winter sets in and point out any pipes that need extra protection.