Prevent Frozen Pipes in Your San Angelo Home: Lessons From the 2021 Winter Storm
If you lived in San Angelo in February 2021, you remember Winter Storm Uri. Maybe you remember the snow. Maybe you remember the cold. Most of us remember the water.
San Angelo dropped to -1°F, tying the coldest February temperature on record, and picked up about 10.1 inches of snow in a single day, a new record, and water line breaks left much of the city, leaving many residents without water. The city's crews spent days fixing multiple water main breaks, and the city issued a citywide boil notice (some areas were under stricter do-not-drink orders). Inside people's homes, it was just as rough. Pipes split in attics, garages, and walls, and plenty of folks didn't know until the ice melted and water started pouring out.
Here's the thing, though. You can prevent frozen pipes with a weekend of easy work, and Fall is the best time to do it, before the first freeze arrives.
Why Pipes Freeze in a Place Like San Angelo
Our winters are mild most of the time, so most homes here weren't built for a deep freeze. Pipes often run through attics, crawl spaces, and exterior walls with barely any insulation.
When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands. That pressure can crack the pipe wide open. The usual suspects are pipes exposed to the cold, like outdoor hose bibs and supply lines in garages or under kitchen sinks. If that sounds like your house, keep reading.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes Before the First Freeze
Start with the stuff that takes the least time and does the most good.
Wrap any exposed pipes in foam insulation. You'll find it at any hardware store for a few dollars, and it snaps right on. Pay attention to crawl spaces, attics, and garages, and seal up drafts around cables, vents, and windows.
Next, find your main water shutoff valve. Seriously, go look right now. Everyone in the house should know where it is and how to turn it off. If a pipe lets go at 2 a.m., you won't want to be searching the garage with a flashlight.
And if your furnace is making weird noises or blowing cold air, get it looked at now. A heating system that quits in a freeze puts every pipe in the house in danger.
Outdoor Faucet Freeze Protection
Your outdoor spigots are usually the first thing to go, so give them some attention.
Take the hoses off, and if your home has a separate shutoff for the outside faucets, close it and drain the line. If it doesn't, grab a foam faucet cover. They're cheap and take about thirty seconds to install. Don't forget the sprinkler system either. It needs to be drained before the cold shows up. Exposed backflow preventers often break in Texas freezes, so insulate or cover them.
How to Winterize Pipes in Garages and Other Unheated Spaces
A detached garage, a workshop, or a second home that sits empty all winter needs a little extra love. Nobody's heating those spaces, so nothing's keeping the pipes warm.
If you're leaving a place for a while, shut off the main water, drain the faucets, and leave the heat on low. If you've got a washer or utility sink in the garage, disconnect and drain those hoses too. And take a peek in your attic. Insulation should sit on top of the pipes, not under them.
Tankless water heaters in garages or on exterior walls can freeze too, so have them checked before winter. See our water heater services.
When a Freeze Is on the Way
Frozen pipe prevention isn't over once the fall checklist is done. When the forecast says a hard freeze is coming, do these things the night before:
Let one faucet drip. Pick the one farthest from your main shutoff and let the cold water trickle. Moving water is much harder to freeze.
Open the cabinet doors under your sinks. This lets warm air get to the pipes, especially on exterior walls.
Keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher, even when you're away.
Cover any outdoor faucets you haven't gotten to yet.
What to Do if a Pipe Freezes or Bursts
If your faucet slows to a trickle or stops altogether, you probably have a frozen pipe. Don't panic, but don't wait either.
If you can reach the frozen spot, warm it up slowly. A hair dryer moved back and forth along the pipe works well, since slow, even heat helps avoid a burst. Keep it away from standing water. Never use an open flame. If you can't reach it, shut off the water to that pipe and call a plumber.
If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve right away. If water is near outlets or appliances, turn off power to that area at the breaker, and don't step into standing water to reach the panel. Then call us at 325 777-1981. Our team provides burst pipe repair in San Angelo, from emergency fixes to full pipe replacement. We know how stressful it is to deal with water in your house, and we'll get there as fast as we can.
Make It a Fall Habit
The people who came through Uri in the best shape weren't lucky. They'd done the boring prep ahead of time. Checking insulation, spigots, shutoff valves, and your heating system takes very little effort, and it can save you thousands in repairs.
Don't wait for the first freeze warning. Call 325 777-1981 to schedule a Seasonal Maintenance visit and get your home ready before winter, so you're not scrambling when the cold arrives.
FAQs
Should I let my faucets drip?
Yes, during a hard freeze. A slow drip from the faucet farthest from your main valve keeps the water moving.
Should I turn off my water if a pipe freezes?
Yes. Shutting off the main valve limits the damage if the pipe splits. Leave the faucet open and call a plumber if you can't thaw it safely.
How do I know if I have a hidden leak after a freeze?
In hidden leak situations, look for a sudden jump in your water bill, damp or stained walls, a musty smell, or running-water sounds when nothing's on.
Sources
Comments