01/23/2026
👋 Hey neighbors, Landshark Plumbing here!
With an upcoming winter storm looming, we want to share a few important reminders to help protect your home and prevent frozen or burst pipes. A little preparation now can save you from a major headache later. And don’t worry, this is Texas, so there's a good chance you’ll be back to grilling fajitas in flip-flops in like, a week.
Winter Storm Prep:
-Turn your heater up to keep warm air circulating throughout the home.
-Leave all interior doors open to allow heat to flow freely.
-Seal drafty areas under exterior doors and make sure windows are securely closed.
-Open cabinet doors under sinks in bathrooms and kitchens so warm air can reach the pipes.
-Turn on all faucets (sinks, tubs, showers) and let both hot and cold water trickle continuously. For single-handle faucets, set them to the middle and keep them dripping. Check periodically that all fixtures are draining properly to prevent water backup.
-Flush toilets periodically, especially in bathrooms that are rarely used.
-Disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses.
-Cover exterior faucets and hose bibs with insulated faucet covers (available at most hardware stores).
-Wrap and insulate all exposed exterior pipes.
-Know where your main water shut-off valve is located in case a pipe does burst. The first thing you'll do is shut off the water to the house completely.
💡 Pro Tip: We want water moving through your pipes. When water flows, it’s much less likely to freeze and clog a pipe. Also remember, most pipe bursts happen when it warms up. The ice plugging the pipe melts, releasing the built-up pressure from the ice plug.