emergency Archives - JD Precision Plumbing Services

Freeze Preparation Houston and Surrounding Areas Need to Remember: The 4 P’s!

Freeze preparation doesn't have to be hard. Follow these quick tips to make sure your family is ready for the harsh cold.

People

Pets

Pipes

Plants

Prepare People for the freeze

Check on your heat sources and be sure you and your family have a good source of heat and, if possible, a backup source. Gather firewood, get batteries to manually turn on your propane fireplace if you lose power, find the blankets, pull out the winter gear, and start a big pot of grandma chili.

Don't forget about your neighbors. If you live near single parents or elderly, check on them before the freeze comes and let them know you are there if they need you. One of our favorite things about our home state of Texas is people care about and take care of each other. Now is a great time to show that kindness to those around you who may be new to the area.

Prepare Pets for the Freeze

If you have outdoor pets, prepare a space for them indoors where they can be safe from the harsh temperatures.

Prepare Pipes for the Freeze

Protect pipes — Keep pipes from bursting

Disconnect any water hose that may be outside.

Be sure any exterior pipes are covered. In a pinch, wrapping them with a towel or blanket is better than leaving them exposed. Consider outside pipes, attic pipes, and, if you live in an elevated home, pipes underneath as well.

The backflow preventer (connected to the sprinkler system) is the sure valves from the city to the sprinklers are closed, and the valve from the backflow preventer to the sprinkler system is open. Watch the video below to learn exactly how to do this and get other tips on freeze preparation.

Open any cabinets that are located on an exterior wall. This will allow the heat from the home to keep those pipes from freezing.

Let the water trickle. Turn the water on between the hot and cold just a bit. Do this at the fixture furthest from the water meter, If you live in a multi-level home, do it on each level.

It is hard to freeze running water in Houston.

Plant freeze prep — Protect your plants from freezing

Protect Plants for the Freeze

Bring any moveable plants indoors and cover any plants that are not made for the freezing temperatures. Thick plastic or a blanket will do the trick. If you are unsure which plants can make it or not, check out this page here at The Garden Channel.

For other Frequently Asked Questions, check out our FAQ page.

In an emergency water is ESSENTIAL to survival!

According to the Mayo Clinic drinking water does more than just quench your thirst — it’s essential to keeping your body functioning properly and feeling healthy. Nearly all of your body’s major systems depend on water to function and survive. Water is especially important in an emergency or disaster situation, when water from the city becomes undrinkable or stops flowing for any reason.

What you need to save water:

At least 1 gallon of water per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation. Keep in mind that individual needs will vary depending on health, age, physical condition, diet, and activity levels. Also, climate, here in Texas some of our worst storms hit when the temperature is very high- stay prepared for your family on an individual level, then assist others. You can only assist others if you are taken care of first.

How to store water before disaster strikes:

It is recommended to purchase commercially bottled water and store it in the sealed container in a cool dark place. If you must prepare your own containers of water, purchase food-grade water storage containers, and fill them with safe drinking water. Remember water that has not been commercially bottled needs to be replaced every six months. To be sure the water you are using is of good clean quality consider filtration options available to you here. Water Filtration

Stored water will have a better taste if you put oxygen back into it. To achieve this pour the water back and forth between two containers, this will also improve the taste!

Treating the water in an emergency:

After all the safe clean drink able water is gone you should treat suspicious water before consuming. Boiling is the safest method of treating water. Before treating the water allow any thing floating to the water to settle to the bottom or strain the water through a clean cloth or coffee filter before boiling. Bring water to a rolling boil for one full minute, keeping in mind stove water will evaporate. Let the water cool down before drinking. Failure to properly treat the water could cause diseases.

Consider these tips from ready.gov

Never ration drinking water unless ordered to do so by authorities.

Drink water that you know is not contaminated first

Do not drink carbonated or caffeinated beverages instead of drinking water.

Tag: emergency

Houston Freeze Preparation