Winter plumbing tips usually focus on what to do the night a freeze hits. This guide is about the weeks before: the plumbing jobs worth finishing in the fall, so the first cold snap in Dallas does not turn a small problem into a burst pipe. If you want the night-of-freeze steps, our guide on how to winterize pipes in Dallas covers them.
Short answer: before winter, make sure your main shut-off valve works, fix any leaks and drips, insulate exposed pipes and outdoor faucets, check your sprinkler's rain and freeze sensor, and have the water heater looked at. Those steps follow guidance from the City of Dallas, Dallas Water Utilities and EPA WaterSense.
1. Make sure your main shut-off valve actually works
The City of Dallas tells residents to find their private shut-off valve and learn how to operate it. Turning the handle so it sits perpendicular to the pipe stops the water. The catch is that many valves are rarely touched for years, and some will not turn, will not close fully or start leaking at the stem when moved.
Test yours on a mild day. If it is stuck, seized or leaks, have a plumber repair or replace it now. A shut-off valve that fails during a burst pipe means water keeps running while you wait for help.
2. Fix leaks and drips before the cold
EPA WaterSense says household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water a year nationwide, and one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year. A leak is a problem worth fixing before winter, although it does not by itself prove that a pipe or joint is structurally weak.
To check for hidden leaks, EPA suggests reading your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is used. If the meter moves, you probably have a leak. A plumber can track down leaks you cannot see, including ones under the slab; see slab leak repair in Dallas if you notice warm spots on the floor or a rising water bill.
3. Insulate exposed pipes and outdoor faucets
The City of Dallas advises wrapping exposed pipes, draining water hoses and insulating outside faucets before a freeze. In many Dallas homes the pipes most at risk run through attics, garages and exterior walls.
If a certain pipe has frozen before, insulation alone may not be enough. Ask a plumber whether that line can be better protected or rerouted into a warmer part of the house. Our page on pipe repair and repiping in Dallas explains when older lines are worth replacing.
4. Check your sprinkler system's freeze sensor
Under the City of Dallas Water Conservation Ordinance, automatic sprinkler system owners are required to have rain and freeze sensors installed. The city also warns that watering during a freeze can create sheets of ice on your property or the street. Before winter, confirm the sensor works and repair or replace it if necessary, and repair any broken heads. If the sensor is missing or faulty, turn the irrigation system off manually during freezing weather while arranging to install or repair the required sensor.
5. Have the water heater checked
Cold incoming water makes a water heater work harder all winter, and a heater in a garage or attic sits in cold air too. Flushing sediment, testing the relief valve and checking a gas heater's venting are all worth doing before the cold. Our guide on water heater maintenance before winter walks through each check, and water heater repair in Dallas covers what to do if it is already leaking or not heating.
6. Plan for the trip out of town
If you will be away during cold weather, the City of Dallas advises turning off the water at your home's private shut-off valve and draining all outside faucets. That is one more reason to make sure the valve works before you need it.
What to do if a pipe freezes anyway
Even a well-prepared house can freeze in a hard cold snap. Our step-by-step guide on what to do if pipes freeze in Dallas covers thawing safely and checking for leaks. If a pipe has split, close the main valve and call an emergency plumber in Dallas.
Need a plumber in Dallas?
If you want a stuck valve, a leak or an exposed line fixed before the first freeze, call now at (877) 340-0703 and describe what needs attention. Calls are answered 24/7. See the Dallas zip codes we serve to check your area.
Sources
- January 2024 Winter Weather Response (City of Dallas, Dallas City News)
- Water Conservation Ordinance (Save Dallas Water! (Dallas Water Utilities))
- Fix a Leak Week (U.S. EPA WaterSense)
This guide is general information for Dallas homeowners, not a substitute for a plumber inspecting your home.