How Do I Protect My Pipes in an East Texas Freeze?
Before a hard freeze, disconnect hoses, cover outdoor taps, open cabinet doors on outside walls, let a thin stream run from the tap furthest from the main and know where your main shut-off is. If a pipe bursts, shut the main first.
Request a plumberWhy do freezes hit Tyler so hard?
Homes here are built for heat, not cold. Pipes often run through attics, exterior walls and unheated garages. In February 2021 Tyler fell to −6°F, its coldest reading on record, and burst pipes were everywhere.
Which pipes freeze first?
Outdoor taps, pipes in the attic or garage, lines along outside walls, and anything in a crawl space or exposed to wind.
What should I do before the freeze?
Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor taps. Wrap exposed pipes with foam insulation. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors on outside walls so warm air reaches the pipes. Keep the thermostat steady, day and night.
Should I drip the taps?
Letting a pencil-thin stream run from one or two taps keeps water moving and relieves pressure. Pick the taps furthest from where water enters the house.
What if the power goes out?
Shut off the main and open the lowest tap to drain the lines. Empty pipes can't burst. Turn the water heater off first.
What do I do after?
If no water comes from a tap, a pipe may be frozen. Warm it slowly with a hair dryer, never an open flame. Watch for leaks as it thaws, and send a request if a pipe has split. See emergency plumbing.
What about the water heater and sprinklers?
Shut off and drain the irrigation system's backflow device if it's exposed. A water heater in an unheated garage can also be damaged by a freeze if the power is out and it's left full; a plumber can show you how to drain it.
More plumbing guides
Need a plumber in Tyler?
Send a request and a plumber will get in touch. Requests answered 7 days a week.
Request a plumberPrefer email? [email protected]