Is Your Lubbock Home Prepared for Winter Weather?

Look, I get it, West Texas isn't necessarily the pinnacle of bad winter weather. Sure, we've seen our fair share of storms and power outages, but it's not like those are happening every day.

Still, temperatures decline as they always do around the winter months which puts pressure on our house's pipes. It's crucial that you properly maintain your plumbing and irrigation so you can avoid paying way too much for a large man who clearly needs a belt to fix the problem for you.

Protecting Your Outdoor Pipes During Lubbock Winters

If you check out the City of Lubbock website, you can see some quick tips on keeping your irrigation system from suffering burst pipes when temps drop below freezing.

Essentially, when it comes to turning off your irrigation system, you should locate the main valve and drain for your home; use a sprinkler key to close the valve by turning to the right; open the drain with the key by turning to the left; turn your irrigation controller "off."

Still with me? The fun's just beginning. Next, you should turn off the backflow and insulate your pipes according to the city website.

Don't forget the basics as well, which are disconnecting any outdoor hoses and using faucet covers to prevent freezing air from entering your pipes.

Keep Your Indoor Pipes Safe!

Taking a look inside the home, it's always recommended to add pipe insulation (make sure you get the right size) and cover any crawl spaces you may have that lead to the outside or attic.

Any pipes that happen to run along exterior walls like a kitchen sink should have the cabinets open at night. This allows warm air to circulate under the pipes that will prevent them from freezing when temps drop.

Finally, if you plan on leaving for an extended period of time, it's recommended that you turn your water meter off to avoid any excess charges.