Texas Winter Storm 2026: How Can I Make Sure My Pipes Don’t Burst This Time? How Do I Drip My Faucets?

Burst pipes aren’t cheap—and that’s exactly why experts say it pays to prep before a hard freeze sets in. According to Consumer Reports, the risk of pipes freezing or bursting can jump tenfold during a winter storm.

It’s also not as simple as water freezing solid. Pipes usually fail when ice creates a blockage and pressure builds behind it. Plumbers told CBS News that outdoor faucets, attached hoses, and pipes that run along exterior walls are especially vulnerable.

How to protect your home's pipes

To reduce the risk, experts interviewed by CBS recommend starting with the basics: disconnect hoses and protect outdoor faucets.

Hoses should be removed entirely so any trapped water can drain. Once that’s done, outdoor spigots should be covered with insulated faucet covers to help shield them from freezing temperatures.

Protecting your pipes doesn’t stop at the yard, though. Indoors, the Texas Department of Insurance says a few simple steps can help keep pipes from freezing in the first place. That includes opening cabinets under sinks so warm air can circulate around the plumbing.

And if your pipes do freeze, the agency advises shutting off the water at the main valve—an important move that can prevent leaks and serious damage once the pipes thaw.

It’s also a good idea to let faucets drip from both the hot and cold taps, or keep water running lightly through indoor faucets, especially overnight when temperatures tend to drop the lowest. As Fox 4 KDFW notes, even a slight trickle can be enough to keep pipes from freezing, and staying prepared can potentially spare you a costly mess that can quickly turn into thousands of dollars in water damage.