Winterizing Your Home: Pipes, Irrigation & Plants

HCMUD 0712025-12-11T13:47:22-06:00December 11, 2025|

While winters in Katy are usually mild, sudden hard freezes can still cause serious damage to outdoor plumbing, irrigation systems, and landscaping. A little preparation before a cold front arrives can help prevent costly repairs and water loss.

Freezing temperatures cause water to expand, which can crack exposed pipes and fittings. To protect your home, insulate all exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas such as attics, garages, and exterior walls. Outdoor faucets should be wrapped with insulated covers, and garden hoses should be disconnected and drained.

Inside the home, open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing, especially for pipes along exterior walls. During extreme cold, set your home’s heat to at least 60°F to prevent freezing. Residents should not leave faucets dripping during freezes, as doing so across the neighborhood can reduce water pressure in the District’s system and potentially lead to service disruptions or other issues. Instead, focus on ensuring proper insulation and maintaining indoor warmth to protect your pipes.

Irrigation systems also need attention. Most modern controllers have a “rain/freeze” setting or can be switched off entirely during the winter months. Draining sprinkler lines and insulating exposed components helps prevent breakage and wasted water once temperatures rise again. It is important to make sure your irrigation system’s backflow prevention device is properly insulated and the shutoff valve is closed during extended freezes. Checking these systems before the first freeze can save time and expense in the spring.

Plants and landscaping benefit from a little care, too. Cover tender plants with frost cloth or light blankets when a freeze is expected, securing the material to the ground to trap warmth. Avoid using plastic coverings, which can trap moisture and damage leaves. Potted plants should be moved to warmer, sheltered areas, such as a garage, and newly planted trees or shrubs should be watered thoroughly before a freeze to help insulate their roots.

If a pipe or irrigation line bursts, turn off the water supply immediately to prevent further damage. Homeowners can shut off water at the main house valve, typically located near an outdoor spigot or garage wall. If the leak is outside of the home, homeowners can contact MUD 71’s operator, Regional Water Corporation at (281) 897-9100 to request that the water be shut off at the meter. Once the water is off, contact a licensed plumber for repairs. If the leak is near the street or appears to involve the District’s main line, please report it right away to Regional Water so crews can investigate and assist.

Preparing early ensures that your home and yard stay protected throughout the winter season. Taking a few simple steps now can prevent expensive repairs later and help conserve water during cold weather events.

Holiday in the Park

HCMUD 0712025-11-26T12:37:32-06:00November 26, 2025|