Should you drip your faucet during freezing weather? Here’s what Houston officials recommend
Like Freezing weather approaching Houston area this weekend, Local authorities appeal to citizens To prepare the pipes.
One Arctic cold air moves across the state It’s expected to bring sub-freezing temperatures to Southeast Texas, bringing back memories. deadly February 2021 winter storm As Houstonians rush to protect their homes.
While there’s no doubt that freezing temperatures can pose risks to plumbing, experts don’t always agree that residents should leave their faucets dripping to prevent pipes from freezing or bursting.
Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi advised residents at Wednesday’s city council meeting not to leave their faucets dripping because it could strain the city’s water distribution system.
Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing for about 48 consecutive hours, Mayor John Whitmire said, adding that engineers will likely sleep on the floors of the city’s water treatment plants to monitor pressure overnight.
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Macchi also encouraged homeowners to know where their water shutoff valve is located. If residents are worried their pipes might freeze or burst, Macchi recommended turning off their water and letting their pipes drain before the storm. Older homes may have less insulation, which means there’s a higher risk of pipes freezing, he said.
“The more people drip, the more water is used, the greater the demand on that system, and if we run into a problem at one of our facilities, the harder it is to fix it,” he told council members.
Unlike Houston, the City of Katy encourages residents to let cold water drip through frost-sensitive pipes. The municipality also appeals to citizens For draining water lines in swimming pools and sprinkler systems to prevent freezing.
Chato Woodward of Local Plumbers Union #68 said residents who plan to leave their homes for a day or longer during a freeze should drain water pipes, vacuum breakers and sprinkler lines to prevent any bursts.
Woodward explains: Video posted to YouTube by Ready Harris How to properly turn off a property’s water valve and drain the water before freezing weather.
“A lot of people forget about the vacuum breaker and sprinkler pipes outside,” he said.
This article was first published at: Should you drip your faucet in freezing weather? Here’s what Houston officials recommend.
