Protect your pipes, pets, and plants this winter

Nov. 30, 2020—Temperatures are forecasted to dip below freezing tonight in Georgetown. In Central Texas, overnight temperatures can drop below freezing throughout the winter months. Here are ways to keep your pipes, pets, and plants from freezing.

Pets, such as cats and dogs, need access to shelter to protect them from cool temperatures and winds, and an unfrozen water source. Outdoor pets may also need additional caloric intake to help them maintain their body heat.

Plants in containers are more susceptible to freezing temperatures because they lack the insulation the earth naturally provides. Move container plants inside where temperatures will stay above freezing, or put them on the south side of the house, water them and pile on mulch, leaves and hay to protect the roots, and/or cover them with a frost blanket.

Pipes can freeze and burst in lower temperatures. Be sure to protect outdoor water spigots with faucet covers and use foam pipe insulation on outdoor pipes. Above-ground irrigation backflow devices can also freeze, so remember to wrap or insulate them, and turn off backflow water valves and irrigation system controllers to reduce the freeze potential. To protect your indoor pipes, let hot and cold water trickle from an indoor faucet.