Best Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Amarillo

When winter comes to Amarillo, it doesn’t just bring snowflakes and hot cocoa weather, it also brings one of the biggest plumbing headaches around, frozen pipes.

Let’s be honest, frozen pipes don’t just freeze, they burst, leak, and mess up your day like a bull in a china shop. But the good news is, there’s a lot you can do before things go south. Let’s roll up our sleeves and talk about how to keep your pipes warm and your home safe this winter.

Need a trusted plumber? Call Plumbing Amarillo TX for fast & reliable service.

What Really Happens When Pipes Freeze?

Imagine this, you fill a soda can with water and pop it in the freezer. A few hours later, boom, the can’s exploded. That’s what happens to your pipes, just on a bigger and more expensive scale.

When water freezes, it expands. And your pipes? Well, they don’t like that. That pressure has to go somewhere, and often it goes out, cracking the pipe and sending water spraying where it doesn’t belong.

Why Amarillo Homes Are at Risk

You might think, “It’s Texas. Do we really get that cold?” Oh yes, we do. Amarillo winters may not be like Alaska’s, but our cold snaps are sneaky. One day it’s sunny, the next it’s 10°F with wind that feels like it came straight from a freezer.

The pipes that freeze first are usually:

In unheated areas like garages, attics, and crawl spaces
Along exterior walls
Under sinks that are against outside walls
Poorly insulated or totally bare

If you’ve got pipes in these places, you’ve got to give them a little TLC before the cold hits.

1. Wrap ‘Em Up Good, Insulate Those Pipes

Think of your pipes like little kids headed outside in the snow. Would you let them go out without coats and gloves? Of course not!

Use foam pipe sleeves or fiberglass wrap to insulate any pipes that might get chilly. These are easy to find at any hardware store. You don’t need to be a plumber to do this, if you can wrap a burrito, you can wrap a pipe.

Got pipes in hard-to-reach places? Even old towels or thick socks can help in a pinch. Wrap your pipes before winter comes in.

2. Let the Faucets Drip, Yes, Really

You may have heard this before and thought, “What’s a little drip gonna do?”

Well, that little drip keeps water moving. And moving water doesn’t freeze as easily. It’s like how a creek rarely ices over but a still pond turns solid.

Just a small trickle from the faucet can prevent a major plumbing mess. Aim for the faucets connected to pipes on outside walls, they’re most likely to freeze.

3. Open Your Cabinets and Let That Warm Air In

Here’s a trick a lot of Amarillo folks overlook, open your cabinet doors under the sinks. This lets warm air from the room reach those pipes.

Especially at night, when the temps drop the most, this small move makes a big difference. Think of it like tucking your pipes in for the night.

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4. Keep the Heat On, Even When You’re Gone

Leaving town for the holidays? Don’t turn your thermostat all the way down. You might save a few bucks on heating, but it could cost you thousands in pipe damage.

Keep your house at least 55°F. That’s warm enough to keep the water in your pipes from freezing. Better safe than soggy, right? Setting your thermostat wisely during winter trips is one tip many forget.

5. Seal the Gaps That Let Cold Air In

Cold air is sneaky. It finds its way through cracks and holes around pipes, especially where they enter your home from the outside. That cold air can chill your pipes fast.

Walk around your house and look for any open spots. Use caulk, foam, or weather stripping to seal them up. If it feels drafty, it needs fixing. Your pipes will thank you, and so will your heating bill.

And yep, weatherproofing your home helps your pipes as much as it helps your feet.

6. Use Heat Tape for Pipes That Always Freeze

If you’ve got one pipe that freezes every winter, no matter what, it’s time to bring out the big guns, heat tape.

Heat tape plugs in like an electric blanket for your pipes. It keeps them just warm enough to stay safe. Make sure you follow the directions and check the cord for any damage before using it.

Using heat tape correctly is safer and simpler than most people think.

7. Shut Off Outdoor Water Lines

Your outdoor spigots don’t need water in the winter. Drain them and shut off their water supply if you can. If there’s still water in those pipes, it can freeze, expand, and burst, which can lead to leaks inside your walls.

And don’t forget to disconnect garden hoses. Leaving them hooked up can trap water in the faucet and freeze the pipe inside.

What If a Pipe Freezes Anyway?

Alright, sometimes even with all your best effort, a pipe still freezes. It happens.

Here’s what to do:

Turn off your water at the main shut-off valve right away.
Don’t use open flames to thaw the pipe, hair dryers or warm towels work better and are safer.
Call Plumbing Amarillo TX for help.

We’re your hometown plumbers. We’ve seen it all, and we fix frozen and burst pipes quickly, and with a smile. Whether it’s midnight or midmorning, we’ve got your back.

Don’t Wait Until Your Pipes Turn Into Popsicles

Frozen pipes aren’t just an inconvenience, they’re a full-blown mess. But with some simple steps, you can keep your home warm and your plumbing flowing just fine. So grab some insulation, open those cabinets, and let those faucets drip. And if you ever need help, you know who to call.