HOUSTON – His name is Tom Fleming and he is the MacGyver of cold weather preparation.
“Big Tom,” as many affectionately call him, is helpful for those of us who have not yet installed water pipe insulation.
Frozen pipes are a nightmare. Avoid them at all costs.
Tom says if you want to “definitely make sure” your pipes don't burst (e.g. if you live in an older shotgun-style home with exposed pipes underneath your house), then do the following:
1. Turn off the water supply line to your home at the curb (quarter turn with wrench/pliers).
2. Drain the water from the pipes by opening several faucets on each level of your home and then opening the taps outside your home.
3. Once the weather is warm again, turn on a series of faucets and spigots and THEN connect the water supply line to the curb. Perform the procedure in this order to avoid a “water hammer” or pressure surge in the system, which can also cause pipes to burst.
If you can't find one of those fancy spigot covers from big box stores, and remember that there shouldn't be any exposed piping, fittings, spigots, etc. at all, you have several options:
1. Tom suggests you buy a bunch of malleable mulch bags, stack them and place them along the length of the pipe to cover the spigot. If you do it right, your pipes will stay nice and cozy.
2. Another option for the outside faucet cover is to wrap it in a towel, secure it with tape, then put a plastic bag over the faucet and towel and tape it all together. “You need the plastic bag over the towel so it doesn’t get wet and freeze,” says Tom.
Good luck! Stay warm! Stay safe!
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