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Protecting the Four P’s: Essential Tips for Dealing with Texas Winter Weather
Winter weather and freezing temperatures are expected across Texas. In such conditions, it is imperative to protect the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes and plants.
People:
- Keep warm and stay inside, if possible.
- If you need to go outside, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat.
- Avoid over exertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.
Pets:
- Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
- Keep adequate food and water available.
Pipes:
- Disconnect outdoor hoses, then drain and store in a protected area.
- Wrap exposed faucets and pipes – including those outside the house or in unheated crawlspaces, attics, garages and other areas.
Plants:
- Bring potted plants inside or store in garage near interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
- For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.
Additionally, if you have an irrigation system, turn off the water to the system at your backflow preventer and then drain the system so your irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads are not damaged.
As it pertains to the dripping of faucets, we are asking and advising our residents and customers NOT to drip their faucets. This could cause a dip in water pressure at your facility. If you reside within the greater Houston area and are part of the Regional Water Authorities (West Harris County Regional Water Authority, North Fort Bend Regional Water Authority, North Harris County Regional Water Authority), or receive water from the City of Houston, dripping faucets will put a strain on the system resulting in low pressure or even depleting the water system.
Where you can learn more and stay updated:
- Forecasts: National Weather Service Houston-Galveston
- Winter Weather Safety: National Weather Service
- Local Road Conditions: Houston TranStar
- State Road Conditions: DriveTexas.org
- Space Heater Safety: National Fire Protection Association
- Draining Your Home Plumbing System: The Spruce