We're waking up to sunshine to get the weekend started right as much of our state finally gets out of the deep freeze zone but many of us still have concerns.

HOUSTON As the sun comes up across Texas and we come out of yet another hard freeze from overnight, a lot of us will be cautiously with anxiety looking over the walls and floors around our home for water where it shouldn't be.

That's because we have all seen the reports of thousands of water pipe breaks in homes and businesses after the 2021 arctic blast swept through the state earlier this week.

The wintry weather dropped Southeast Texas into near-historic low temperatures and left snow and ice that stayed for days statewide. It also knocked out power for millions, which left homes colder than usual, allowing more pipes to freeze.

How do you know if you have a problem with your pipes after a freeze?

Pipes break during wintry weather because the water freezes and expands inside the pipe, similar to putting a bottle of water or a can of soda in the freezer and watching it expand outward.

Often the pipes can't take the stress, and they break. This could happen inside your home's walls, in the attic, under your home or on the pipes outside your home.

Your best option ahead of a freeze: shut off your pipes

When freezing temperatures are predicted, especially temperatures below 30, there are ways you can protect your home's pipes and water system beyond just a drip or opening cabinets.

...before you go to sleep, go out and turn that main turn off, turn some faucets on so your pipes can drain. They cant burst if theres no water in them to freeze," Director of Public Works for the City of Houston Carol Haddock says.

Master plumber Even Villasana says that is what he does "I would not take a chance."

Im going to be draining the system down at my house," he said.

The best option is to shut off the citys valve at your curb, its usually in a covered box. Simply turn the handle to where it's perpendicular to the pipe. If you cant get to that one, the valve on the side of your house will also work. But before you do that, Villasana says theres something you should do first.

What people should do is while they have their water on if you have accessible water. Go ahead and fill up your bathtubs, if you have buckets to have some water supply to be able to flush toilets," he said.

Its better to be without water for 10 to 12 hours than it is for 10 to 12 days. Say a pipe bursts and you are waiting for insurance and the adjusters and all that," Villasana said.

You can turn the water back on once temperatures get above freezing, but make sure you open your faucets and do it slowly. Plumbers suggest using a clock and turning a little more water on each minute for five minutes and make sure to have someone inside watching for any leaks.

Busted pipes are keeping Texas plumbers and hardware stores busy

The Home Depot off the Gulf Freeway and the Beltway 8 in southeast Houston was pretty busy Thursday morning. People were there for one thing: plumbing supplies.

The manager said theyve also been busy with people looking for materials to fix their walls and lights that might have been damaged by the water from broken pipes. Read more here.

Continued here:
How do you know if your home's pipes burst during the freezing weather? Here's what to check for - KHOU.com

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