Plumber shares tips to protect pipes from potential weekend freeze

SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) - With below freezing temperatures approaching this weekend, homeowners need to take steps to protect their pipes from freezing damage.

Jeff Hunter, owner of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, said the upcoming freeze presents significant challenges for property owners.

“It’s the Super Bowl for plumbing,” Hunter said.

Protecting outdoor faucets

Hunter said outdoor faucets require immediate attention before the freeze arrives.

“If those are leaking at all and that starts to freeze it is going to work up into your home,” Hunter said.

He recommends covering outdoor faucets with insulated covers, which are available at any hardware store. Homeowners should also disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots.

Indoor faucet protection

Indoor faucets need steady dripping to prevent freezing, but Hunter said there’s a specific method homeowners should follow.

“You wanna drip the hot and the cold because the hot water line when it’s stagnant can freeze over time,” Hunter said.

For faucets located on exterior walls, Hunter said homeowners should open cabinet doors to allow warm air circulation.

“You gotta make sure that you’re opening those cabinet doors,” Hunter said.

Signs of frozen pipes

Hunter said the first sign of frozen pipes is loss of water flow.

“The first thing that you’ll find out is that you just don’t have water flow at all and that’s a good indication that you have frozen pipes,” Hunter said.

Frozen pipes don’t automatically mean burst pipes. Hunter said homeowners can call a plumber to shut off water and prevent further damage, but frozen pipes must thaw naturally before repairs can begin.

Emergency preparation

Hunter recommends homeowners learn how to shut off their home’s water supply before problems occur.

“Know how to shut off the water to your home via the city shut off or the shut off valve to your home,” Hunter said.

If you don’t know how to do this, Hunter said you can call a plumber, they’ll be able to tell you.

The freeze is expected to last throughout the weekend. Hunter suggests starting pipe protection measures Friday night and maintaining them through Sunday.