Can you believe it? We are already one month into 2022, and as we get ready to get through February, many of us are having flashbacks.
Last February, when the temperatures in North Texas were as low as 4 degrees, and the power in many places was struggling to stay on. Texas rarely experiences cold like this; our houses were not built to withstand this type of cold, the low temperatures broke a 112-year-old record, and people’s pipes were bursting left and right.
While 2022 is supposed to be different, with Dallas Morning News reporting that the “power grid is ready to handle the winter storm expected to hit the state on Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders said Tuesday at a news conference in Austin.
Abbott said the state has prepared for nearly a year for weather with conditions similar to last year’s deadly storm, which caused a failure in the state’s electrical grid and dayslong power outages across Texas. The freeze isn’t expected to be as long as the 2021 winter storm. This week, freezing temperatures will last about 48 hours, unlike last year’s 139-hour freeze when more than 240 people died as a result of the storm.”
The article goes on to state that:
“The power grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, is ready for electricity demand that could be near what the state experienced last year, Abbott said. ERCOT’s projection, released last Friday, showed demand hitting nearly 71.2 gigawatts on Feb. 4. Peak demand during last year’s winter storm was 77 gigawatts. More than 15,000 megawatts of power will be available to help with demand, Abbott said.”
Despite political leaders encouraging citizens that the state is more prepared than ever, it never hurts to prepare your home the best you can. Below are the top five things you can do to help prevent your pipes from freezing during the nasty winter storms to come.
- Keep the Warm Air Inside
During freezing temperatures, your home’s heating system will be working overtime to ensure your home is meeting the temperature set by your thermostat. Keep windows and doors shut tightly for as long as possible to prevent any warm air from escaping.
- Cover Exposed Pipes
Any exposed pipes and faucets should be insulated to help prevent busts. Opening under sink cabinets will also help circulate warm air.
- Outside Faucets
Turn off ALL outside faucets. Remove all connected hoses and wrap faucets with towels or a Styrofoam insulator; pool noodles are also popular. Turn off and drain automatic sprinkler systems.
- Locate Water Shutoff
You must know where your home’s water shutoff valve is located in case you do have a burst pipe.
- Addressing Preexisting Issues
Suppose you have preexisting issues with pipes or water heaters in your home. In that case, the freezing temperatures will only exacerbate these issues and possibly create more significant problems, so get them fixed ASAP!
If you think your home might require repairs or a replacement, feel free to contact Still Waters Plumbing immediately! You can call us, email us, or fill out a contact form if you have any questions or need a quote on installations or repairs.
