When a Hard Freeze Hits Shreveport
Short answer: Shreveport homes are built for heat, so pipes in attics, outside walls and crawl spaces are exposed when a long freeze arrives. Cover outdoor faucets, drip the faucets on outside walls, open sink cabinets and know where your main shut-off is.
Request a plumberWhy it catches homes
Freezes are rare enough that many houses have water lines in unheated attics, garages and open crawl spaces.
Outdoor faucets
Disconnect hoses and use foam covers on every hose bib before the temperature drops.
Drip and open
Let a slow drip run on faucets along outside walls and open the cabinet doors underneath so warm air reaches the pipes.
Raised homes
Close crawl space vents and make sure skirting is intact; exposed pipes under pier-and-beam houses freeze first.
Keep heat on
Hold the thermostat steady day and night, even if you leave town.
If a pipe freezes
Leave the faucet open and warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer. Never use an open flame.
If it bursts
Close the main valve right away; see finding your main water shut-off.
After the thaw
Walk the house, attic and crawl space looking for wet spots, because some breaks only leak once the ice melts.
Meters and curb lines
Meters in shallow boxes can freeze too. Keep the lid on and don't pile dirt or mulch over it.
Next
See emergency plumbing.
More plumbing guides
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