How to properly drip your faucets
AUSTIN - Temperatures will fall below freezing at times this week and Austin residents are taking steps to make sure the cold weather doesn't do damage.
One of the main suggestions by plumbers is to drip your faucets overnight.
Dripping your faucets
Water dripping from faucet (Photo: Fox 26 Houston)
A slight stream of water through your pipes can help prevent freezing.
If you know the faucet farthest from your water meter, it will draw water through the house. If you don't, you can focus on the faucets along your exterior walls.
You only need a trickle of water to drip, so there is water moving through the pipes consistently. Turn on both the warm and cold water.
Plumbers also suggest opening the cabinet doors under all faucets on exterior walls to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes.
What to do if pipes freeze
If your pipes freeze, there is no need to panic.
Just because your pipes are frozen does not mean that they will burst.
If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave your faucets on and call a plumber.
If your pipes burst, turn off the water at your home's main shutoff valve.
Burst Pipe Costs
In 2022, insurance company State Farm paid more than $181 million for claims filed for frozen pipe damages. The average claim was for $20,000.
Texas was the top state for frozen pipe and winter water damages, with $64 million in claims.
Austin Weather Forecast
The first blast of cold air has arrived in Austin.
Temperatures are expected to fall into the 20s on Tuesday night.
We expect lows to be at or below freezing through Saturday.
We could also see a wintry mix later this week.
It's looking more and more likely parts of Central Texas could get a wintry mix especially in the Hill Country Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
Track your local forecast for the Austin area quickly with the free FOX 7 WAPP. The design gives you radar, hourly, and 7-day weather information just by scrolling. Our weather alerts will warn you early and help you stay safe during storms.