Frozen pipes are one of the most expensive plumbing emergencies homeowners face, and a single burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water into your home in minutes. While Abilene and the Big Country generally enjoy mild winters, temperatures regularly dip below freezing from November through March, and severe cold snaps can send temperatures into the teens or single digits. Preparing your plumbing before the first freeze is far cheaper than repairing burst pipe damage afterward.
Identify Your Vulnerable Pipes
Start by identifying vulnerable pipes. The most common locations for frozen pipes in Abilene homes are exterior wall cavities, attic spaces, unheated garages, crawl spaces under pier-and-beam homes, and outdoor hose bibs. Pipes in these locations are exposed to cold air and can freeze when temperatures stay below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours. Walk through your home and note every pipe run that passes through an unheated or poorly insulated area.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Insulate exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation sleeves, which are available at any hardware store for about $3 to $5 per six-foot section. The foam sleeves snap over the pipe and significantly reduce heat loss. For pipes in particularly cold areas like attics, consider using heat tape or heat cable wrapped around the pipe beneath the insulation. Heat tape uses a small amount of electricity to keep the pipe above freezing temperature during cold snaps.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. A garden hose left connected to an exterior hose bib can trap water in the pipe and faucet body behind the wall, causing it to freeze and crack. Disconnect all hoses, drain them, and store them for winter. If your hose bibs have individual shut-off valves inside the house, close them and open the outdoor faucet to drain the remaining water. If you have frost-free hose bibs, they are designed to drain automatically — but only if the hose is disconnected.
Let Faucets Drip During Hard Freezes
When a hard freeze is forecast, let faucets drip. Opening a faucet to a thin, steady drip keeps water moving through the pipe, which dramatically reduces the risk of freezing. Focus on faucets along exterior walls and in the coldest parts of the house. Open both the hot and cold sides slightly. The small cost of the running water is negligible compared to the $5,000 to $15,000 in damage a burst pipe can cause.
Open Cabinet Doors and Close Garage Doors
Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air from the room reach the pipes. This is especially important for kitchen sinks on exterior walls and bathroom vanities in poorly insulated areas. If you have a garage with water supply lines running through it, keep the garage door closed during freezing weather to retain some heat in the space.
Know Your Main Shut-Off Valve
Know where your main water shut-off valve is located and verify it works before winter arrives. If a pipe does burst, shutting off the water supply quickly is the most important step to limit damage. In many Abilene homes, the main shut-off is at the water meter near the street or at a valve where the supply line enters the house. If you do not have a functional main shut-off valve or do not know where it is, call Total Quality Plumbing to have one installed before cold weather arrives.
What to Do If Pipes Freeze
If your pipes do freeze, do not use an open flame to thaw them. Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, or warm towels applied to the frozen section. Open the faucet so melting water can flow and relieve pressure. If you cannot locate the frozen section or if a pipe has already burst, shut off the main water supply and call a licensed plumber immediately. Total Quality Plumbing serves Abilene, Clyde, Merkel, Tuscola, Sweetwater, and all Big Country communities. Call (325) 266-4887.