Preparing Your Amarillo Home's Plumbing for Winter

Winter in the Texas Panhandle isn’t just cold—it’s unpredictable. Amarillo homeowners know that temperatures can plummet from the 50s to below freezing in a matter of hours, and those sudden Arctic fronts can wreak havoc on unprepared plumbing systems.

With average winter lows in the 20s and occasional dips into single digits, frozen pipes aren’t just a northern problem. They’re a real risk right here in Amarillo, Canyon, Bushland, and throughout the Panhandle. The good news? A little preparation now can save you thousands in water damage and emergency repairs later.

Understanding Amarillo’s Unique Winter Plumbing Challenges

The Texas Panhandle experiences what meteorologists call “temperature volatility.” One day you’re wearing a light jacket, the next you’re bundling up against 15-degree winds. This rapid temperature change is particularly hard on plumbing.

Many Amarillo homes were built when building codes didn’t emphasize freeze protection. Slab foundations, common in our area, can leave pipes vulnerable. Older homes in neighborhoods near downtown or around Polk Street often have inadequate insulation around exposed pipes. Even newer homes in subdivisions west of Amarillo toward Bushland can have vulnerable outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated garages.

When water freezes, it expands by about 9%. In the confined space of a pipe, this creates immense pressure—enough to burst copper, PVC, or galvanized steel. A single burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water, causing devastating damage to walls, floors, and belongings.

Your Complete Winterization Checklist

Step 1: Insulate Exposed Pipes

Start by identifying vulnerable pipes. In Amarillo homes, focus on:

Pipes in crawl spaces or attics
Plumbing in unheated garages
Pipes along exterior walls
Water lines to outdoor faucets

Use foam pipe insulation sleeves (available at any Amarillo hardware store) for straight runs. For elbows and joints, use heat tape or heat cable, then cover with insulation. Pay special attention to pipes on the north side of your home, where they get the least sun exposure during those short winter days.

For pipes in cabinets under sinks, especially those on exterior walls, consider adding extra insulation to the wall cavity if accessible. Even stuffing newspaper around pipes in a pinch is better than nothing when a cold front approaches.

Step 2: Protect Outdoor Faucets and Hoses

This is one of the most critical—and most overlooked—winterization tasks:

Before the first freeze:

Disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor faucets
Drain hoses completely and store them in your garage or shed
Shut off the interior shut-off valve that supplies each outdoor faucet
Open the outdoor faucet to drain remaining water
Leave the outdoor faucet open all winter
Install foam faucet covers for added protection

Many Amarillo homes have frost-free hose bibs (also called “sillcocks”). These are designed to drain automatically, but only if you remove the hose. A connected hose traps water in the valve, defeating the frost-free design and leaving it vulnerable to freezing.

Step 3: Seal Cracks and Openings

Walk around your home’s exterior and look for any gaps where cold air can reach pipes:

Gaps around pipes entering the foundation
Cracks in your home’s skirting (common in Panhandle winds)
Openings in exterior walls
Damaged weather stripping around garage doors

Use caulk or spray foam insulation to seal these openings. This not only protects pipes but also improves your home’s energy efficiency—important when heating costs spike during Amarillo’s coldest weeks.

Step 4: Set Proper Indoor Temperatures

When temperatures drop below freezing, your thermostat setting matters more than you might think:

Normal occupancy:

Keep your home at least 55°F at all times, even at night
On nights when temperatures will drop into the teens, consider keeping it at 60°F
Set ceiling fans to reverse (clockwise) on low to circulate warm air

When you’ll be away: Never set your thermostat below 55°F, even if you’re leaving for vacation. The money you save on heating won’t cover the cost of a single burst pipe. If you’ll be gone during a cold snap, consider asking a neighbor to check your home or install a smart thermostat you can monitor remotely.

Step 5: Use the Cabinet Door Trick

This simple technique can prevent frozen pipes in kitchens and bathrooms:

On nights when temperatures will drop below 25°F, open cabinet doors under sinks, especially those on exterior walls. This allows warm room air to circulate around pipes. It’s particularly important in homes with slab foundations, where pipes may run through less-insulated areas.

For extra protection, you can also let faucets drip overnight. Even a trickle of moving water can prevent freezing. Focus on faucets on exterior walls or those farthest from your water heater.

Step 6: Winterize Sprinkler Systems and Outdoor Features

If you have an irrigation system (common in newer Amarillo subdivisions), it must be winterized properly:

Shut off the water supply to the system
Drain all water from the irrigation lines
Use compressed air to blow out remaining water (consider hiring a professional for this)
Insulate the backflow preventer

Don’t forget other outdoor water features like decorative fountains or water barrels. Drain them completely and store them for winter if possible.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Frozen Pipes

Even with preparation, freezing can happen. Watch for these red flags:

Early warning signs:

Frost on exposed pipes
Strange smells from drains (caused by sewer gases backing up when water in the P-trap freezes)
Unusually slow drains
Reduced water pressure

Confirmed frozen pipe indicators:

No water flow when you turn on a faucet
Only a trickle of water despite fully opening the faucet
Visible bulging in pipes
Strange noises when running water

If you notice any of these signs, act quickly. The longer water remains frozen, the more likely the pipe will burst.

How to Safely Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you discover a frozen pipe, follow these steps:

Do’s:

Turn on the affected faucet to allow water and steam to escape as ice melts
Apply heat gradually using a hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels
Start heating near the faucet and work toward the frozen area
Keep the faucet open as you thaw the pipe

Don’ts:

Never use an open flame (propane torch, etc.)
Don’t use electrical devices near standing water
Don’t use high heat sources that could damage pipes or start a fire
Don’t ignore the problem hoping it will resolve itself

For pipes inside walls or under floors, you may need to increase the room temperature and wait. Position a space heater safely nearby or use a heat lamp.

When to Call a Professional Amarillo Plumber

Some situations require professional help immediately:

Call a plumber if:

You can’t locate the frozen pipe
The frozen pipe is inside a wall or ceiling
You’ve attempted thawing but water still won’t flow
You see cracks or bulges in pipes
You hear running water but can’t find the source (possible hidden leak)
Multiple fixtures are affected
Pipes are in a hard-to-reach location

Call a plumber urgently if:

You see water stains spreading on walls or ceilings
You hear water running inside walls
A pipe has burst
You smell sewage (indicating a frozen sewer line)

Don’t wait until morning if you discover these issues at night. Water damage worsens by the hour, and a frozen pipe can burst at any moment. Emergency plumbing service is far less expensive than major water damage restoration.

Special Considerations for Amarillo-Area Homes

Slab Foundation Homes

Many Amarillo homes are built on concrete slabs. While this provides stability in our clay soil, it can leave supply lines vulnerable. If you have a slab home, pay extra attention to:

Pipes running through exterior walls
The water heater area if it’s in a garage
Any pipes near the perimeter of your home

Pier and Beam Foundations

Older homes in downtown Amarillo or near historic districts often have pier and beam foundations with accessible crawl spaces. These provide easy access to pipes but expose them to cold air:

Ensure crawl space vents are closed in winter
Add extra insulation around pipes in crawl spaces
Consider installing a vapor barrier if you don’t have one

Mobile and Manufactured Homes

If you live in a manufactured home in areas like Bushland or outside Canyon, your plumbing is especially vulnerable:

Check skirting for gaps or damage before winter
Install heat tape on supply lines
Consider adding a heat source in the space under your home during extreme cold

Rental Properties

If you own rental properties in Amarillo, winterizing is your responsibility. Provide tenants with written winter plumbing guidance, ensure outdoor faucets are protected, and make it clear they should contact you immediately if they suspect frozen pipes.

Creating Your Personal Winter Plumbing Emergency Kit

Be prepared for winter plumbing emergencies by assembling a kit containing:

Pipe insulation sleeves
Heat tape or heat cable
Foam faucet covers
Waterproof flashlight
Pipe repair clamps
Shut-off valve locations map for your home
Contact information for emergency plumbing service
Hair dryer or heat lamp

Keep this kit accessible throughout winter, and make sure all household members know where the main water shut-off is located.

Don’t Wait for the First Freeze

Amarillo’s weather can change overnight. You might wake up to blue skies and mild temperatures, then face a hard freeze by evening. That’s why winterizing shouldn’t wait for the forecast to turn cold.

Start your winterization in November, before the first freeze. Make it an annual routine, like changing your furnace filter or checking smoke detectors. A few hours of preparation can prevent days or weeks of stress, expense, and disruption.

Get Professional Help Before Winter Arrives

Consider scheduling a pre-winter plumbing inspection with a licensed Amarillo plumber. A professional can:

Identify vulnerable pipes you might have missed
Check for existing problems that could worsen in cold weather
Install frost-free hose bibs if needed
Ensure your water heater is ready for increased winter demand
Provide specific recommendations for your home’s unique layout

This small investment in preventive maintenance pays off many times over when the temperature drops and your plumbing system keeps working while your neighbors deal with frozen pipe emergencies.

Protecting Your Amarillo Home This Winter

Winter in the Texas Panhandle demands respect. Our climate can shift from pleasant to punishing in hours, and your plumbing system is on the front lines. But with proper preparation, you can keep water flowing safely through the coldest days.

Start winterizing now. Walk through your home with this checklist, address vulnerable areas, and make a plan for monitoring your plumbing during cold snaps. Your future self—and your wallet—will thank you when the next Arctic front sweeps through Amarillo.

Remember: frozen pipes are preventable. A burst pipe is expensive. The choice is yours, and the time to act is before the freeze, not during it.