Winter Weather is typically mild here in North Texas, with the occasional freezing temperatures scattered throughout the season. In recent years, we’ve seen winter weather escalate in severity. That’s right; we’re looking at you, snowmageddon of 2021. Prolonged freezing temperatures can reap havoc for homeowners here in the DFW metroplex, as many houses are built with the intention of handling sweltering summers rather than artic-like winters.
Many homeowners are now bracing for the worst in 2022. Below you will find Total Plumbing’s instructions How to Prevent Burst Pipes in DFW
How to Prevent Burst Pipes
Before we go into further detail on what you can do to prepare your home for winter weather, first, we need to assess what causes our home’s pipes to burst in the first place.
Cold weather can be disastrous when it comes to your home’s water supply pipes. Although cold temperatures often cause objects to contract, water expands when it freezes inside of pipes because ice has a larger volume than water. This results in more pressure inside the pipe. The pipe bursts open as the pressure within the pipe needs to escape. This can sometimes happen at a weak pipe junction, but the pipe wall may burst with extreme pressure.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses and Cover Faucets
You should first address the potential problems that are most at risk, like your outdoor plumbing. Be sure you disconnect all hoses or drip lines from your outdoor facets, as the standing water within the hoses can freeze and travel up into your facet. Once disconnected, cover your exterior facets with winter guards that can be found at your local hardware store.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
If you have any exposed pipes within your home near the exterior, they are more prone to bursting than pipes surrounded by the insulation of your walls. These pipes should be insulated with pipe covers, or if you’re in a pinch, even a towel or tee shirt will work better than nothing.
Circulate Warm Air
It is no surprise that warm air is your best friend when temperatures drop below freezing. You can prevent pipes from freezing exponentially if you keep warm air circulating throughout your entire home. To do this, reverse your ceiling fans to disperse warm air above, and be sure to open kitchen and bathroom sink cabinet doors to allow the warm air to surround pipes.
Keep the Thermostat above 55
When you leave or before you go to sleep overnight, make sure your thermostat is set at 55 degrees or above. If your home is lower than 55 degrees, the chances of pipes freezing are much more likely. Many thermostats today have programmable options or even a way to operate temperatures off your phone.
Water Heater Maintenance
During the winter months, it’s crucial that your water heater is in top working condition. Ensuring your water heater is working correctly benefits your comfort and your pipes, as running warm water through your plumbing system can help prevent pipe bursts.
For all of your plumbing needs, call Total Plumbing today at 972-681-4434. We serve the entire Dallas area, including Garland, Plano, Frisco, Rockwall, Allen, and Rowlett.
