I'll say it again for the people in the back... sure you're ready for the cold weather, but are your pipes? We have all experienced the bitter cold winds of winter, and the hard freezes that come before all snow storms but did you know that nearly 250,000 homes and offices suffer damage from a frozen pipe every year? Fortunately, here in North Texas we recently experienced fall weather. Unfortunately, we also know that usually means harsh overnight freezes are right around the corner.

So let's talk about what you can do to prevent your pipes at home from bursting!

- Wrap your exterior piping in protective gear such as foam, dry cloth, or a special dome that can be picked up at your local hardware store. Doing these things will help prevent the cold air from reaching the exposed pipes outside your home.

- If you live in a pier-and-beam house, leave at least one faucet with a tiny drip to keep water flowing through the pipes during the time of day that will be the coldest. Typically this is at night.

- Inspect the exterior of your home to make sure any exposed cracks are filled. Cold air  enters through the cracks and, once inside, it can cause your pipes to freeze. If visible cracks are noticed, seal them using caulking or spray foam to fill the voids.

- Maintain a heating source inside the structure to ensure that the pipes inside stay at a consistent temperature.

It is not a bad idea to have a certified plumber come out and inspect all your plumbing BEFORE that first harsh freeze to insure that there aren't any minor cracks or leaks in your plumbing. These tips do not guarantee that your pipes will be safe from bursting, but we hope that they help. Remember to give us a call if you run into trouble - and happy winterizing to you!

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