After an unprecedented winter storm raged in Texas in 2021, many of us wondered what this winter will bring us.According to a report from the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, more than half of Texans lost power at some point during the Winter Storm Uri last year, and nearly one-third reported flooding in their homes.In addition, the storm is the largest single insurance claim event in the history of the state.
What can we expect this winter?Unfortunately, this is difficult to predict.The National Weather Service announced that the La Niña phenomenon is now in place, which usually means that we will experience a drier and warmer winter than in previous years.
But the La Niña phenomenon also appeared last year.”We can’t predict whether we will experience another unusual winter storm like Uri, because they are such an unusual event and a bigger unknown in terms of prediction,” Texas Water Resources Development Commission Water Literary author Dr. Mark Wentzel said.
Although we cannot always predict extreme winter weather in advance, the weather forecast provides us with some preparation time.Before the mercury drops, it is important to be proactive and take precautions to check for leaks and avoid water damage in and around the house, swimming pool, or RV.
Here are seven tips from the Texas Water Development Council to help you avoid expensive repairs and unnecessary water loss this winter.
According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage in the winter, and can cause thousands of dollars in flood damage—easy to reach $5,000 or more.When the outdoor temperature reaches 20 degrees or below, the water pipe may freeze and burst.
Wrap outdoor faucets and exposed pipes with rags, and tie them with elastic cords or cable ties to protect them.You can also purchase foam or fiberglass pipe packaging specifically for exposed pipes.Remember that the goal is to prevent pipes in unheated spaces from freezing, so you should mainly focus on exposed external pipes and pipes in unheated garages, attics, and crawl spaces.Generally, it is not necessary to insulate the pipes passing through the inner wall.
Handy: The electric heating cable set can automatically adjust the heat output according to the temperature, thereby preventing the water pipe from freezing.
Water can cause serious damage when it goes where it shouldn’t.It’s a good idea to go out and look at your roof, gutters, and downpipes.Broken shingles or damaged waterproofing may indicate that water may seep into your roof.
Also, consider grabbing the ladder and removing the leaves in the drain to allow rainwater to flow normally.If the water is not far enough from the foundation of the house, you may also need to add extensions to the downpipe.
Handy: The gutter guard prevents leaves and debris from clogging the gutter while allowing rainwater to flow through.
In addition to looking for leaks around the toilet, under the sink, in and around showers and bathtubs, and near the water heater, you can also use a water meter to check the entire house for leaks.
Larger leaks can usually be detected by performing simple inspections, including turning off the water inside and outside the home, recording the water meter reading, waiting 15 minutes, and then reading the water meter again.If the meter records any water consumption during the test, it may be due to a combination of large or small leaks.
Handy: Smart leak detectors and water shut-off valves allow you to control and monitor your pipelines through a smartphone app.More advanced models allow you to shut off the water supply in your home from anywhere.If your water meter is a “smart” or digital water meter, please contact your utility company to learn about tracking your water usage through the app or customer portal.
Make sure to turn off the sprinkler system in winter to help conserve water and prevent damage to the system when the temperature is below freezing.If your system has a main shutoff valve, you can also shut off the water supply there.Wrap the exposed pipe with insulating material to prevent the valve from cracking or damage.
If your area is prone to freezing temperatures for long periods of time, you may need to drain underground pipes before freezing for the first time.If water remains in the sprinkler system pipeline or valve, it may freeze and expand, causing the component to burst.Please consult the user manual of your irrigation system and consider contacting a professional before your system is overwintered.
Handy: Use an air compressor to force air through the irrigation system to remove excess water through the sprinkler.However, unless you are an expert, it is best to be handled by a professional irrigation expert.
Now is also a good time to drain any water pipes and store them indoors.After removing the hose, make sure to insulate the faucet.
Handy: Garden hose reels can make it easier to roll up irregular hoses and keep them tidy.
Proper winterization of the underground swimming pool can ensure that your system is in good condition next summer.Although different types of swimming pools require different methods, some off-season tips apply to most swimming pools to ensure the health of the pool water: remove debris, scrub the pool walls, clean filters, and balance the pH (if Your pool and climate are suitable for system shutdown).Please refer to your user manual or pool service specialist for other specific wintering steps for the pool.
Handy: Discuss the swimming pool winter kit with your pool service expert to preserve pool water in different seasons.
Recreational vehicles allow car owners to travel freely and have a comfortable place to spend the night.However, if you don’t work hard to prevent problems when storing your RV in winter, you may encounter problems in the future.
Protecting your travel trailer or motorhome from the cold is essential to avoid costly repairs.First, make sure you follow the recommendations provided in the user manual.The most important step is to purify the entire water system by draining the black and gray water tanks and water heater lines.Some experts also recommend adding antifreeze to your toilet, sink, and shower line.
Handy: A thermostatically controlled heating pad can heat the storage tank and is designed to prevent freezing in fresh water and waste storage systems.