Cold Snap Tips Austin Plumbers Urge Nightly Faucet Drips to Protect Pipes

Winter has officially arrived in Austin, bringing cold weather and the possibility of precipitation this week. Nighttime temperatures are expected to drop below freezing through Saturday, posing risks to plumbing systems across Texas. When water in pipes freezes, it expands, potentially causing bursts due to increased pressure.

Christopher Siebenthaler, owner of Redbud Plumbing in Austin, reported a surge in calls about winter preparation. I'm dripping my faucets at night right now, just as a safety measure, he shared. Running water is less likely to freeze than still water, so maintaining a steady flow helps prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Siebenthaler noted that daytime temperature fluctuations this week should assist in thawing pipes, reducing the risk of freezing within walls. We were 70 degrees yesterday, and we wake up and it's 29 degrees, he explained. The ground temps are still warm. Everything doesn't freeze right away.

Fabian Pecina, manager at L&P Plumbing, advised dripping both hot and cold water overnight as a precaution. We recommend that homeowners drip at least one faucet in every bathroom and in the kitchen, he said. A drop a second should be sufficient. He added that older homes with copper or galvanized pipes are more susceptible to bursts because these materials are more brittle.

Despite the precautions, Pecina expressed minimal concern. The weather has to be under freezing for four to six hours for water lines to freeze, which we're not anticipating right now, he said. However, if no water flows from your faucet and temperatures are below freezing, the pipe may already be frozen. In such cases, using a hairdryer (and only a hairdryer) to warm the pipe can help. Other devices risk melting the pipe or causing a fire.

The City of Austin offers winter weather preparedness tips, including guidance on locating your water shutoff and safely thawing pipes after a freeze.