As freezing weather approaches the Houston area this weekend, local officials are urging residents to prepare their hoses.
An arctic cold front moving across the state is expected to bring sub-freezing temperatures to Southeast Texas, and it’s stirring memories of the deadly February 2021 winter storm as Houstonians rush to protect their homes.
While there’s no doubt that freezing temperatures can pose a risk to plumbing, experts don’t always agree on whether residents should let their faucets drip to prevent pipes from freezing or bursting.
Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi advised residents during Wednesday’s city council meeting not to let their faucets drip, as it could clog the city’s water distribution system.
Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing for about 48 hours straight, Mayor John Whitmire said, adding that engineers will likely sleep on the floor of the city’s water treatment plants to monitor pressure overnight.
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Macchi also encouraged homeowners to know where their water shut-off valve is located. If residents are concerned that their pipes may freeze or burst, Macchi recommended that they turn off their water and let their pipes drain before the storm. Older homes may have less insulation, which means pipes are at greater risk of freezing, he said.
“The more people there are, the more water is being used, the more demand there is on that system and the more difficult it becomes, if we encounter a challenge in one of our plants, to address it,” he told the council members.
Unlike Houston, the City of Katy encourages residents to let cold water drip from pipes that are prone to freezing. The city is also encouraging residents to drain water lines for swimming pools and sprinkler systems to avoid freezing.
Chato Woodward with the Plumbers Local Union #68 said residents who plan to leave their homes for a day or more during the freeze should drain their water pipes, vacuum breakers and sprinkler lines to prevent any bursts.
Woodward explains in a video posted on YouTube by Ready Harris how to properly close a property’s water valve and drain the water before freezing weather.
“A lot of people forget their vacuum breaker and sprinkler hoses outside,” he said.
This article originally published in Do you have your faucet dripping during freezing weather? Here’s what Houston officials recommend.