Freeze warnings in parts of Central Texas Original story posted 7:58 p.m. Many areas in Central Texas are under a freeze warning through Friday morning. Below are tips from Austin Water on how to protect your home in freezing temperatures. Before Freezing Weather:
- Wrap all exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of the home.
- Remove garden hoses from outside faucets.
- Cover vents around the foundation of your home.
- Know where your property owner’s cut-off valve is located and how to use it. The valve is located adjacent to the water meter box under a 6" metal lid.
- Drip outside faucets 24 hours a day (5 drops per minute). This is not necessary unless temperatures are expected to be 28 degrees or below for at least 4 hours. (Be sure to turn off the faucets after the threat of freezing weather.)
- Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.
- In unheated garages, shut off water to washing machines. Water softeners should be drained and protected from freezing temperatures.
- In sustained sub-freezing weather, let water drip slowly from inside faucets.
- Take extra precautions to protect pipes that have frozen in the past.
- Shut water off at the property owner’s cut-off valve.
- Drain all outside water faucets if your house will be unoccupied for several days (leave outside faucets open).
- Or, leave home heating system on at a low setting.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.
