Five signs your pipes need attention before winter

Hard freezes are rare in Central Texas, but when they arrive, they arrive fast. The pipes that fail are almost always the ones that were already weak.

Five signs to watch for

Low water pressure in one room often points to a corroded or partly blocked pipe. Pipes that run through the attic or an outside wall are exposed to the cold. Outdoor faucets without covers freeze first. Slow drips under sinks get worse when pipes contract. And a water heater older than ten years is more likely to fail under heavy winter use.

Simple steps you can take

Cover outdoor faucets with foam covers from any hardware store. Wrap attic and garage pipes in foam sleeves. Disconnect garden hoses, because water trapped in the hose can freeze back into the faucet.

On the coldest nights, let one faucet drip on each side of the house and open the cabinet doors under sinks so warm air reaches the pipes.

Know your main valve

If a pipe does burst, shutting off the main valve quickly limits the damage. Find it now, and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is.

When to call us

If you see any of these signs, a short fall inspection costs far less than a burst pipe in January. We check exposed lines, test your pressure and look at your water heater in one visit.