How to Winterize Your Plumbing (A Texas Hill Country Guide)

Because "it doesn't freeze in Texas" is a $10,000 lesson some folks learn the hard way.

I'm Justin Sims, and after Winter Storm Uri, I spent weeks helping homeowners recover from burst pipes and water damage. The heartbreaking part? Most of it was preventable with a few hours of preparation.

Our Hill Country homes—in Westlake Hills, Bee Cave, Lake Travis, Dripping Springs—weren't built for sustained freezing temps. But those temps come anyway, and when they do, your plumbing is vulnerable.

Here's how to winterize your home before the next freeze hits.

Why Texas Homes Are Vulnerable

Let's be real: most Texas homes are built for heat, not cold.

Common vulnerabilities:

• Pipes in exterior walls with minimal insulation
• Exposed pipes in garages
• Outdoor faucets without frost protection
• Water heaters in unconditioned spaces
• Supply lines in attics or crawl spaces
• Pool equipment and irrigation systems

A home in Minnesota has pipes running through heated interior spaces. A home in Westlake? That pipe might be an inch from the siding.

Your Pre-Winter Checklist

Do this before freezing weather hits—ideally in late October or November.

1. Identify Vulnerable Pipes

Walk around and note any pipes in:

• **The garage** (especially water heater supply lines)
• **Exterior walls** (feel for cold spots near plumbing)
• **Crawl spaces or attics**
• **Under kitchen and bathroom cabinets on exterior walls**
• **Pool equipment areas**
• **Outdoor faucets**

Make a list. These are your priority protection zones.

2. Insulate Exposed Pipes

**Foam pipe insulation** is cheap (around $3-4 per 6-foot section) and easy to install:

1. Measure the pipe diameter (1/2" and 3/4" are most common)
2. Buy insulation sized to match
3. Slip it over the pipe and secure with tape or wire ties

For pipes that are already against walls, use self-adhesive tape insulation instead.

Pay special attention to:

• Pipes in the garage
• Pipes under sinks on exterior walls
• Water heater connections in unconditioned spaces

3. Protect Outdoor Faucets

**Outdoor faucet covers** (styrofoam covers) cost about $5 and slip right over your hose bibs:

1. Disconnect any attached hoses
2. Drain water from the hose
3. Cover the faucet with the insulated cover

**If you have a frost-proof hose bib,** you still need to disconnect the hose—water trapped by the hose can freeze and split the fixture.

4. Know Your Shut-Off Valves

Every fixture should have an individual shut-off. For winterizing:

• **Locate the shut-off for outdoor faucets** (often inside the house)
• **Shut off water to outdoor lines** if you have the option
• **Open the outdoor faucet** to let remaining water drain

Same applies to pool equipment, irrigation lines, and any outdoor water features.

5. Prepare Your Irrigation System

Sprinkler systems should be winterized:

1. Shut off the water supply to the system
2. Open test cocks and drain valves
3. Run each zone briefly to purge water
4. Best practice: have a pro blow out the lines with compressed air

Frozen irrigation lines can crack, and the damage isn't visible until spring.

6. Service Your Water Heater

A well-maintained water heater is more reliable in extreme conditions:

• Drain 2-3 gallons to remove sediment
• Check the pressure relief valve
• Verify the thermostat setting (120°F is recommended)
• Insulate the water heater if it's in an unconditioned space

If your water heater is in the garage, consider a water heater blanket for extra insulation.

When the Freeze Warning Comes

Temperature's dropping tonight? Here's your game-time checklist:

Open Cabinet Doors

Pipes under sinks on exterior walls need warm air. Open those cabinet doors so heated interior air can circulate around the pipes.

Let Faucets Drip

A slow drip—just a trickle—keeps water moving through pipes, making it harder to freeze.

Do this for:

• Faucets on exterior walls
• The faucet farthest from where water enters your home
• Any fixture that's been a problem before

You're not wasting much water—and you're preventing thousands in damage.

Keep the Heat On

**Never let your home drop below 55°F,** even if you're away. I know it's tempting to save money by turning off the heat during vacation, but one freeze event can cost more than a year of heating bills.

If you're going out of town during cold weather:

• Keep heat set to at least 55°F
• Open cabinet doors
• Have someone check on your house
• Know where your main shut-off is (and make sure your house-sitter does too)

Don't Forget the Garage

If your water heater is in the garage, or pipes run through it:

• Keep the garage door closed
• Consider a space heater in extreme cold (with fire safety in mind)
• Insulate any exposed pipes

Garages are often the coldest room in the house and the most likely source of freezing problems.

Pool Equipment Winterization

If you have a pool, your equipment is at risk:

Pumps and filters:

• Remove drain plugs
• Some pumps have freeze protection—make sure it's enabled
• Cover equipment if possible

Pool heaters:

• Have gas heaters serviced before winter
• Drain water if extended freeze is expected

Waterfalls and spas:

• Run the pump periodically during freezing weather
• Drain if you can't run the pump

After the Freeze

When temps rise back above freezing: