Katy may not exactly be located in the middle of the frozen tundra, but it’s still important to winterize your plumbing before temperatures plunge too far. Even in Texas, cold snaps happen, and they can mean burst pipes and thousands of dollars of damage.
While Acosta Plumbing is here to help if something goes wrong, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage before it happens. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s the most vulnerable part of the plumbing system in winter?
The most vulnerable part of the plumbing system in winter are your hose bibs and sprinklers.
To protect them:
- Disconnect your hoses and drain them completely.
- Store hoses somewhere warm and dry until spring.
- Cover all outdoor faucets with insulating hose bibs.
- Turn off the water supply to your irrigation system.
- Drain the sprinkler system or call a professional to do so.
What’s the easiest way to protect the pipes inside the home?
The easiest way to protect pipes inside the home is to use your home’s internal heating system. Take the following steps to keep them safe.
- Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate freely.
- Maintain consistent heat throughout the winter months.
Planning to leave town? Never set your thermostat lower than 55°F! If you do, you might just come home to a burst pipe disaster.
How cold does it have to be before burst pipes become a concern?
We recommend keeping an eye on your plumbing the moment the forecast calls for temperatures of 20°F or below.
That’s when you need to start allowing faucets to slow-drip to ensure a steady stream of water. Moving water doesn’t freeze as fast as standing water, and the slow drip helps relieve pressure buildup within the lines.
Of course, by the time the forecast reaches these low temperatures, it’s often too late to take other steps. Make sure you’re prepared before the cold snap by protecting your exterior faucets and irrigation system.
When should you turn off the water in your Katy, TX home?
Head to your main water shut-off valve and turn off the water if you:
- Wake up to no water pressure whatsoever.
- Hear water running and can’t find the source.
- See a leak of any kind.
This valve is usually located near your water heater, on the side of your house, or in your garage, if you haven’t found it already.
This simple action can limit water damage and can give your friendly neighborhood technicians from Acosta Plumbing time to come out and address the problem!
Burst pipes? Call us.
Sometimes the cold defeats even our best efforts.
If this happens to you, call us! Our technicians are ready to help resolve any burst pipe problems you may encounter this winter.