Protecting Pipes in an East Texas Freeze

Why mild-winter homes freeze

Builders in warm climates often run water lines through attics and outside walls because cold is rarely a worry. When temperatures drop well below freezing for a day or more, those lines have little protection. Knowing where yours run is the first step.

A day before the cold

Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets with insulated covers. Wrap pipes in the garage and any you can reach in the attic. Find your main shut-off and make sure it turns.

During the freeze

Let a faucet on an exterior wall drip, and open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air reaches the pipes. Keep the thermostat steady overnight. If the power goes out, drip more taps and keep doors to cold rooms closed.

If a pipe freezes

Open the faucet it feeds and warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or warm towels, starting near the faucet. Never use an open flame or a heat gun close to wood or insulation.

After it thaws

Walk the house and garage looking and listening for leaks, and check the attic if lines run there. Read the meter with all taps closed. A split pipe often leaks only once the ice melts.

When to get help

If water is coming through a ceiling or wall, shut off the main at once and see emergency plumbing.

If you leave town

If you'll be away during a forecast freeze, leave the heat on at a moderate setting and ask someone to check the house. For longer trips, consider closing the main and draining the lines.

More plumbing guides

• Signs of a Slab Leak in a Longview Home
• Where to Find Your Water Shut-Off
• How Old Is Your Water Heater?
• Tree Roots and Your Sewer Line
• Checking a Plumber in Texas Before You Hire