As the cold weather approaches Southeast Texas, Houstonians are receiving various recommendations regarding their water pipes. Specifically, they are advised on whether or not to keep their faucets on a slow drip to prevent freezing. (Editor’s Note: The article has been updated throughout with different recommendations from utility districts with different delivery methods)
The City of Houston is advising its residents against dripping their faucets and keeping their cabinet doors open as a precautionary measure to prevent pressure losses throughout the city-wide water system.
The reason for this is that the City of Houston relies on ground-based re-pumping stations, which operate on electricity, rather than the conventional method of maintaining pressure through elevated water storage, like a water tower.
If you are not connected to the City of Houston’s water system, it is important to follow the guidance provided by your water supplier. In most cases, if you receive water from a water tower system, it is recommended to leave your faucets dripping.
If you are unsure, it is always a good idea to check the warnings and advisories issued by your water provider.
It is recommended to ensure safety by shutting off the water to your house at the shut-off valve and draining the water lines. You can watch a helpful video from ReadyHarris that demonstrates how to turn off your water and open your faucets.
Moen, a water faucet manufacturing company, has offered some valuable suggestions for taking preventive measures.
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- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
- When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing. (Again, consult your local utility provider for their best recommendation)
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
- If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.