How to Keep Your Pipes From Freezing (And What to Do if They Freeze Anyway)

With rolling blackouts happening all over North Texas, and with the vast majority of Austin without power, Texas homeowners are justifiably worried about the damage structures may take during this historic winter weather.

Many homes in North Texas are built on pier-and-beam foundations, which can make pipes particularly susceptible to freezing if not properly insulated. If you don’t have your foundation vents covered and your outdoor pipes wrapped and insulated, that’s the first thing you should do. Pipes that run outside the home or in the rare North Texas basement are also prone to freezing in extreme winter weather.

The best strategy is to keep your thermostat at a constant temperature at 68 degrees or slightly lower. However, due to energy conservation, some homeowners may not be able to do this.

Signs That Your Pipes Might Be Frozen

The biggest indicator of frozen pipes is the lack of water when a tap is turned on. If water doesn’t flow freely from your tap, chances are that your pipe is frozen and will need to be thawed.

Check pipes for signs of frost, too, as water may still flow from a partially frozen pipe, but frost is a big indicator that the pipe will need to be thawed. Strange odors coming from a drain is another indicator of frozen drain pipes.

What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze

Not all frozen pipes will burst, especially if the pipe is thawed safely and quickly.

To thaw pipes:

• Make sure to open the tap before you attempt to thaw a pipe. If you don’t, the water pressure in the pipe may increase to the point where it will burst.
• Use a hairdryer, heating pad, or space heater to warm and thaw the water in the frozen pipe. You can even use warm towels to gradually thaw pipes. Never use a torch or open flame to thaw pipes.
• If you think your pipes are frozen and may burst, call a plumber immediately. The sooner you address a frozen pipe at risk of bursting, the better chance you have of mitigating water damage.

Thankfully, President Joe Biden has already declared a state of emergency for Texas, which allocates federal resources from the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief.

Additionally, if your home sustains significant damage due to burst or frozen pipes, your homeowner’s insurance policy will likely cover part of the cleanup and restoration. Call your insurance provider to find out more about coverage and deductibles, however, you will likely be on the hook for the cost of repairs to the plumbing.