Prepare for Cold Snaps: 3 Tips for Winterizing Your Home’s Plumbing

While Texas winters are relatively moderate, the cold snap which caused the "snowpocalypse" we faced earlier this year should be enough to remind everyone how quickly things can go wrong. This incident is why we have provided you with a list of ways you can winterize your plumbing to prepare you for whatever Mother Nature has in store.

3 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME’S PLUMBING

1. Fill in Exterior Cracks

Holes and cracks in the walls and foundation of your home can be a big problem. These fissures allow cold air to come into contact with your water pipes which can lead to freezing.

One easy way to prevent this is by spraying foam insulation and caulking to stop cold air from entering your home.

2. Let Your Faucet Drip

If the temperature is expected to drop below freezing, keeping a dripping faucet can be an excellent way to prevent your pipes from bursting. By turning on your faucets, just enough for a small, steady drip, you can eliminate the pressure that builds up between the tap and an ice blockage. This way, your pipes won't burst if they freeze.

3. Insulate Your Pipes

Insulating your pipes is a key step to preventing your pipes from freezing when temperatures sink to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Adding polyethylene foam insulation around your pipes is an easy and cost-effective way to protect your lines from freezing and bursting.

This tip is especially beneficial for unheated areas, as they pose the biggest threat to freeze. To give yourself an extra layer of protection, first wrap your pipes in heat-tape.

Don't let Mother Nature catch you unprepared this year! Call (281) 815-2772 to have the experts at Pioneer Plumbing and Septic fix all your plumbing needs.