When winter weather hits Ellis County, protecting your pipes becomes a top priority. A burst pipe can cause thousands of dollars in damage and leave your family without running water during the coldest days of the year. As a trusted plumber DFW serving the region, we’ve seen firsthand how proper prevention can save homeowners from costly emergency repairs and extensive water damage.
Frozen pipes can cause major flooding damage to your home once the pipes thaw out. The good news is that most burst pipe emergencies are preventable with the right knowledge and preparation. This guide provides Ellis County homeowners with practical, proven strategies to protect your plumbing system before, during, and after freezing weather strikes.
Quick Prevention Checklist You Can Do Now
Before temperatures drop, take these essential steps to protect your home’s plumbing system:
Exterior Pipe Protection
Make sure to wrap exterior pipes and drip your interior faucets when the temperatures dip below 33 degrees to keep pipes from freezing. Focus on these critical areas:
- Hose bibs and outdoor faucets: Make sure that your outdoor hose bibs are protected with some type of insulation or a foam cup that covers the bib to keep it protected. A hose bib is the faucet on the outside of your home where you likely screw in a garden hose.
- Remove and store garden hoses: Remove water hoses and wrap outdoor pipes.
- Sprinkler system protection: Drain and turn off your lawn sprinkler system.
Interior Pipe Insulation
Pipes in your attic should be wrapped with pipe insulation you can get at hardware stores. It serves as a barrier, with an R2 or R3 rating and will help, but it won’t guarantee that attic pipes won’t freeze.
- Wrap pipes in unheated areas like garages, basements, and crawl spaces
- Wrap outdoor and indoor pipes in unheated areas (like a clothes washer in your garage).
- Turn off the water to your clothes washer if it’s in an unheated garage.
When to Start Dripping Faucets
Let faucets drip from the cold and hot taps or run water through your indoor faucets – hot and cold — before you go to sleep. Start this process when temperatures are forecast to drop below 33 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pro Tip: Pipes under your kitchen and bathroom sinks can be protected by opening doors to those cabinets and letting warm air in.
Understanding Ellis County’s Freeze Risks
Ellis County’s climate presents unique challenges for homeowners. The time to prepare for freezing temperatures is when the weather is still warm. There are several things customers can do to protect their water pipes from freezing and possibly bursting.
Why Pipes Burst During Texas Freezes
When water freezes inside your pipes, it expands and creates tremendous pressure. This pressure can cause pipes to crack or burst completely. As pipes thaw, more emergencies at homes and businesses will happen across North Texas. The real damage often becomes apparent during the thawing process when water begins flowing through damaged pipes.
Common Vulnerable Areas in Ellis County Homes
- Pipes in unheated garages and utility rooms
- Exterior wall plumbing
- Attic water lines
- Water heater connections in unheated spaces
- Swimming pool and sprinkler system lines
Emergency Response: What to Do When Pipes Freeze
If you discover frozen pipes in your home, act quickly but safely:
Immediate Steps
- Shut off your main water supply: If your pipes freeze, turn off the water at the shutoff valve. This prevents broken pipes from leaking into your house after they thaw.
- Turn on affected faucets: This allows water to flow once the pipe thaws and relieves pressure
- Apply gentle heat: You can use an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, a hairdryer, a portable space heater or towels soaked in hot water.
Safety Warning
Make sure not to use a blowtorch, kerosene, propane heater, charcoal stove or anything else in the open flame category. These methods can cause fires or damage your pipes.
When to Call a Professional
And if all else fails, call a plumber. Contact a professional plumber immediately if you:
- Cannot locate the frozen section of pipe
- Hear water running but cannot find the source
- Discover cracks or splits in visible pipes
- Experience a complete loss of water pressure
- Notice water damage or flooding
Advanced Prevention Strategies
Sprinkler System Winterization
While it’s not possible to fully drain sprinkler pipes, it’s important to insulate the large brass object above the ground where the sprinkling system was installed, called the backflow preventer. Shut off the water and cover it with a water heater blanket and duct tape or some other form of insulation.
Overnight Protection During Extended Freezes
The Red Cross also encourages people to let their faucets drip and keep water moving in the home to prevent pipes from freezing. It can be helpful overnight when temperatures drop to wake up every few hours to run faucets and flush toilets to keep water moving.
Attic Insulation Improvements
If you don’t have blown-in insulation that help regulate the temperature of your entire home, at least roll out some batting-style insulation on top of your pipes.
Insurance Considerations for Ellis County Homeowners
Understanding your insurance coverage before an emergency strikes can save you significant stress and money:
What’s Typically Covered
Most homeowners insurance policies will cover the ensuing damage from a burst pipe. If there’s a flood in the living room and water soaks through the flooring, baseboards and drywall, your policy will cover it — to a certain extent.
Important Coverage Limitations
Flood insurance doesn’t pay for damage caused by burst pipes. Home and renters policies might not pay for damages caused by frozen pipes if you didn’t take steps to protect your pipes, such as keeping the heater on in your house.
Documentation Best Practices
The city of Galveston says people should take photos of damage and save receipts from plumbers, hotel stays and other property replacements in case a disaster fund becomes available. Always document damage immediately and keep detailed records of all repairs.
Professional Services and Maintenance
Regular Plumbing Inspections
Schedule annual plumbing inspections before winter weather arrives. A professional can identify vulnerable pipes and recommend specific improvements for your home’s layout and age.
Drain and SewerSystem Preparation
Ensure your drainage system can handle potential water from burst pipes or rapid snowmelt. Clear any existing clogs that could worsen flooding damage.
Emergency Preparedness
Ladd said it’s also important to know how to turn your water completely off in an emergency. Every family member should know the location of your main water shutoff valve and how to operate it.
Serving Ellis County and the DFW Area
When prevention isn’t enough and you’re facing a plumbing emergency, you need reliable professional help fast. With the winter weather expected to get worse later this week, Ladd is prepared to respond to plenty of calls. “Hopefully we’re not going to be too long of a stretch so it won’t affect as many people, but definitely will see enough uptick in business,” Ladd said.
Our experienced team serves Ellis County communities and the broader DFW metroplex with 24/7 emergency plumbing services. We understand the unique challenges that North Texas weather presents to your home’s plumbing system and we’re equipped to handle everything from frozen pipe repairs to complete system replacements.
Don’t wait until you’re dealing with water damage and costly repairs. Contact us today to schedule a preventive inspection or for immediate emergency assistance throughout Ellis County and the DFW area.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start dripping my faucets in Ellis County?
Start dripping your faucets when temperatures are forecast to drop below 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to wrap exterior pipes and drip your interior faucets when the temperatures dip below 33 degrees to keep pipes from freezing. Focus on faucets connected to pipes in exterior walls or unheated areas of your home. Let both hot and cold water drip at a slow but steady rate.
What should I do if I discover a burst pipe in my Ellis County home?
Immediately shut off your main water supply to prevent further flooding. If your pipes freeze, turn off the water at the shutoff valve. This prevents broken pipes from leaking into your house after they thaw. Take photos of any damage for insurance purposes, move valuable items away from the affected area, and contact a professional plumber right away. Do not attempt to repair burst pipes yourself.
Will my homeowner’s insurance cover burst pipe damage in Ellis County?
Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from burst pipes, but coverage has limitations. Home and renters policies might not pay for damages caused by frozen pipes if you didn’t take steps to protect your pipes, such as keeping the heater on in your house. Document all preventive measures you took and contact your insurance company immediately after discovering damage. Keep all receipts for emergency repairs and temporary accommodations.