Preparing your home now can help prevent inconvenient and costly damages. Follow the checklist below to ensure your home stays protected during cold weather events.
1. Drip Your Faucets
In anticipation of freezing weather, make sure to drip all faucets. Do not run the faucet in a steady stream—just a slow drip. Keep faucets dripping until the temperature rises to at least 40°F.
2. Open Sink Cabinet Doors
Leave the cabinet doors open under all sinks. This allows warmer air to circulate around the plumbing and helps prevent pipes from freezing.
3. Maintain Indoor Heat
Keep your heat at a minimum of 65°F inside your home. Never turn off your heat when outside temperatures are below freezing.
4. Disconnect Garden Hoses
Disconnect garden hoses from exterior hose bibs and insulate outdoor faucets using proper styrofoam covers.
5. Locate Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve
Know how to operate your home's water shut-off valve in case of emergency. For guidance, watch this video on how to locate the main water shut-off valve.
6. Stock Up on Essentials
Keep bottled water, extra blankets, battery-powered chargers, and radios on hand in case of power outages during freezing conditions.
7. Tankless Water Heater
Shut off water supply, turn off power to the unit, drain the water heater, disconnect inlet/outlet hoses, insulate exposed pipes, check heaters freeze protection system is working (if it has one)
It's crucial to take these steps to avoid the inconvenience and potential damages associated with frozen pipes. Please be diligent and stay alert to weather conditions and warnings via City, State and National weather sources and apps. Attached is a helpful guide from Austin Water:
