Snow and ice in Texas are a rarity and it’s because of this that a winter freeze often finds Texas homes and pipes unprepared. As a provider of Texas home insurance we want to make sure our clients and homeowners know how to protect their pipes in the event of a winter storm.
Belknap Plumbing, a Houston plumbing company and Dagley Partner, shared a few tips to help our homeowners better prepare for a freeze:
Check the area surrounding water pipes for cracks in outside walls and seal with caulking.
- Wrap outside pipes or insulate with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves.
- Turn faucets connected to exposed pipes on to a slow trickle.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to ventilate and warm pipes.
- If you plan to travel and it is suspected that it may freeze while you’re away, you may want to drain the water system. To drain the system,turn off the main valve and then turn on all faucets until the water is drained. At the very least make sure that the heat is not turned to low so there is a level of warmth in the home.
If you suspect that a pipe may be at risk and turn on the water and nothing comes out of the faucet, immediately turn off the main water valve and call a plumber.
A big thanks to Houston’s own, Belknap Plumbing, for sharing their expertise with our insurance clients and friends. If you need a plumbing expert, you know who to call!