The weather is taking a dip into chilly temperatures. Conditions like this contribute to frozen pipes. A Dec. 15 press release from the National Weather Service warns on the night of Dec. 22 into the morning of Dec. 23 the Houston metro will see temperatures in the near- to mid-20s, while the North Houston metro will see temperatures dip into the teens. The NWS says to protect the 4 Ps in cold weather: people, plants, pets and pipes. To avoid frozen pipes and keep pets safe, here is some advice from Houston Public Works, the Red Cross and the Houston Humane Society.
More than 70% of sewer overflows in Houston are caused by clogs from grease and wipes, according to a Dec. 13 Houston Public Works press release. Public Works reminds citizens of its “Protect our Pipes” initiative to avoid sewer overflow by properly disposing of grease:
- Pour leftover fats, oils and grease into a container;
- Cool it; and
- Toss the container into the trash.
The Red Cross has the following recommendations to avoid frozen pipes:
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
- When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe—even at a trickle—helps prevent pipes from freezing.
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
- If you will be traveling during cold weather, leave the heater on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
To keep pets safe and warm this holiday season, the Houston Humane Society offers the following tips:
