How to protect your wells from freezing temperatures
Freezing pipe (Pixabay)
HOUSTON – As winter weather moves into the Houston area, well water is at risk of freezing.
In previous winter coverage, KPRC 2 spoke to Paul Weitz, The Plumbing Guy, for advice on how to prepare your well before a freeze.
Make a tent or a rain jacket
Put a makeshift tent or large makeshift rain jacket and tarp it over the well. This will help keep the warmer air inside the well.
Insulate, insulate, insulate
Insulate any incoming water lines.
You can use pool noodles or towels. If you use towels, make sure to cover the towels in plastic. The precipitation will freeze the towels, therefore defeating the purpose of keeping the lines warm.
Don’t forget about handles
Also, insulate the handles to waterlines. Put a rag or towel over the handles and wrap it in plastic.
Fill bath tubs with water
If power is lost, it’s a double whammy for homes that rely on well water because water will stop flowing to the house. Having water in your tubs will allow you to fill the back of your toilet tanks and flush as needed.
Having bottled water on hand for drinking and washing hands is also important.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
About the AuthorsBrittany Taylor headshotBrittany Taylor
Award-winning journalist, mother, YouTuber, social media guru, millennial, mentor, storyteller, University of Houston alumna and Houston-native.
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