Freeze Warning: Is your home prepared?

Texas doesn't experience a lot of below-freezing temperatures, so it's no surprise that not everyone is prepared when that angry freeze sweeps through. 

February 2021 brought the unforgettable and record-breaking winter storm Uri to Texas. From the 11th to the 20th, a deep freeze settled over the state, impacting every single county, even down to the Rio Grande and into northeastern Mexico, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Centers for Environmental Impact, NOAA NCEI. Wind chills dropped below zero, making it the coldest winter blast Texas had experienced since December 1989. Throughout Central Texas, including Austin and Waco, six to nine consecutive days of freezing temperatures broke records for the longest freezing streak in the state's recorded history, according to NOAA NCEI. 

So, how can we be sure you're fully prepared for the next freeze so that repairing burst pipes doesn't end up draining your summer vacation budget? 

Let's take a look. 

Water behaves differently than most other substances: instead of contracting when it freezes, it expands. Think of it this way: when water turns to ice, it pushes outward against whatever's containing it. That pressure is immense, and it can easily crack or even burst pipes, no matter if they're metal or plastic. 

And if a pipe bursts, it not only wastes water, but will cost a ton in pipe repair, drywall and flooring replacement, as well as damaged furniture and possessions. 

The American Red Cross has some suggestions on how to prevent that from happening.

• Let cold water drip from the faucet at a trickle. 
• 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 out of the reach of children. 
• Cover outdoor faucets and exposed pipes. Disconnect hoses from outside faucets and use insulated faucet covers. 
• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage. 
• 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. 
• Wrap your outdoor faucets. 
• Identify water shutoff valves indoors and out. This will prepare you for cutting off the water if a freeze poses risks. 

Even with the best precautions, sometimes pipes still freeze. Let's say you wake up and your pipes are still frozen, the Red Cross has some advice for that, too: 

• Shut off the water immediately: This will minimize damage if a pipe has burst. 
• Call a licensed plumber: Don't attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless you have experience. Improper thawing can cause further damage. 

Burst pipes can cost a homeowner $5,000 or more to repair, according to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. Because southern climates are warmer, the IIBHS notes, pipes are often located in unprotected areas outside of insulation, and homeowners are less likely to think about the danger when deep freezes may only occur once or twice in a winter season. 

Of course, there are also plenty of weather precautions you can take that don't involve water. According to the American Red Cross, some of those suggestions to protect your home include:

• If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard, nonflammable surface. 
• Keep children, pets, drapes and anything flammable at least three feet away. 
• Plug directly into the power outlet and never into an extension cord. 
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. 
• Use a glass or metal fire screen to contain fire and embers. 
• Never use a cooking range or stove to heat your home. 
• Always turn off portable heaters when you leave a room or go to sleep. 
• Don't set your thermostat temperature below 55˚ 
• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out. 
• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide an extra insulation layer to keep cold air out. 
• Test your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. 
• Get your chimney inspected and cleaned and your furnace inspected to ensure it's safe. 

A little winter prep goes a long way in preventing costly damage.