When winter makes its way down to Texas, chaos often ensues when pipes freeze and cause costly damages. Thankfully at Dry Force, We Turn Chaos Into Calm™.
In this article, we’ll go over some simple steps to prevent pipes from freezing, keeping your home and plumbing system in tip-top shape throughout winter. If you believe your home or business already has frozen pipes or just experienced a pipe burst, call us for immediate water cleanup.
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How Do Pipes Freeze?
Frozen pipes are an issue all over the United States, but they are especially common in Texas where many homes are not equipped for freezing temperatures. When temperatures drop, water freezes and expands. This expansion puts pressure on your pipes—too much pressure eventually causes ruptures and bursts.
If your pipes have cracks or holes in them, frigid winds will take advantage, quickly freezing your water and causing bursts.
The Dangers of Frozen Pipes
There’s a reason why our friends in the north winterize their homes. Frozen pipes can cause severe water damage, bringing several unforeseen consequences to your doorstep. Here are some dangers of your pipes freezing during the winter:
- Your water supply is lowered or cut off.
- Flooding can occur after pipes thaw.
- Ruptured pipes need to be repaired, which can be costly depending on damages.
- Resulting leaks and floods can damage your walls and belongings.
The Minimum Temperature To Keep Pipes from Freezing in Texas
If you’re wondering how to prevent pipes from freezing this winter, remember the number 20.
Pipes should not be exposed to temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or else they are at risk of bursting. 20 degrees is the minimum temperature, so it’s best practice to keep your pipes well above that threshold.
20 degrees is a rare temperature in Texas, but it’s not impossible. Note that Texans suffered a huge uptick in burst pipes during a 2021 winter storm. In a survey by Groundworks, 16% of respondents said their home suffered a burst pipe during this storm.
A burst pipe can cause thousands of dollars in damages, so 16% is an alarmingly high figure. In our next section, we’ll introduce some tips to avoid joining the 16%. Avoiding frozen pipes and their costs takes some preparation, but this will pay off in the long run.
Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes During the Texas Winter
By taking the following steps, you can easily avoid frozen pipes and the costly damage that comes with them. Sometimes, the difference between a flooded home and a dry one lies in the flick of a wrist—be sure to add these tips to your routine when temperatures start approaching 20° F.
Allow Faucets to Drip
Water is less likely to freeze when it is moving. By letting a faucet drip, you can prevent water from sitting still and freezing inside pipes. Does it matter which faucet you choose? Not fully, but we recommend a faucet in a colder area of your home or business. Pipes in these areas are usually the first to freeze.
Keep Indoor Temperatures Consistent
Fluctuating indoor temperatures can quickly lead to frozen pipes. It’s a great idea to choose one temperature and stick to it, even when you’re away from home. We recommend setting your thermostat at 55 to 60 degrees at the lowest.
Open Doors and Cabinets
Opening interior doors throughout your home or business will ensure that all areas are heated evenly. And while you’re at it, go ahead and open any cabinets with pipes in them, such as bathroom cabinets. This allows warmer air to make direct contact with your pipes.
Insulate Pipes
Pipe insulation is remarkably well-priced, offering home and business owners an affordable line of defense against frozen pipes. The installation process is relatively simple: in most cases, you can place insulation around pipes and then secure them with duct tape.
When you compare the price of insulation with the costs of water damage, insulation becomes a must-have.
Disconnect Garden Hoses
Garden hoses provide an avenue for frozen water to enter your pipes. After you’re done using them for the year, it’s best to simply disconnect them. If the weather warms up and you want to use the hose again, simply reconnect and disconnect it again.
Seal Cracks and Openings
Inspecting your home for cracks and openings is a great idea year-round, but it’s especially important during winter. Freezing winds can enter your home or business through cracks, further exposing your pipes to the elements. When you patch cracks and openings, you keep warm air inside your home. This allows for even heating throughout every room, further warming your pipes.
Your pipes aren’t the only benefactor of a properly sealed home—your wallet will be thankful, too. Properly sealed homes enjoy lower energy bills, more efficient heating, and fewer drafts.
What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze Over the Winter
If you notice the signs of a frozen pipe, which include frost on the pipe’s exterior, unpleasant odors from drains, and a lack of water flow from faucets, don’t panic. You may be able to prevent the pipe from bursting.
Before you attempt to thaw a frozen pipe, be sure you are wearing eye protection. If you don’t feel safe during the thawing process, it’s a great idea to contact a burst pipe repair service. If the frozen area is easily accessible, you can try to thaw it with household items like hair dryers or space heaters.
Avoid using an open flame to thaw pipes. This can damage the pipe or start a fire. You already have your hands full, so fire damage is the last thing you need.
Hire Dry Force For Burst Pipe Repair & Cleanup
Now you know how to prevent pipes from freezing during winter. Making simple adjustments to your home can help you avoid thousands of dollars in damage, and many of these tips will help you save on energy bills.
But what if it’s already too late? If frozen pipes have burst in your home, Dry Force is standing by and ready to help. Our water damage restoration services are available 24/7/365, so we can arrive within 60 minutes to remove excess water and dry the affected area.
If a pipe has burst in your home, turn off the water supply before calling us. This will halt further damage and save you from additional costs.
Dry Force has turned Chaos Into Calm for over 20 years. We’re happy to help 24 hours a day, so contact us for all your water damage needs.