Weather

Freezing Temperatures

In Texas, the winter season is generally mild with few extreme weather events. However, it is important to prepare for the possibility of a sudden and severe cold front. Homes and businesses in Texas, particularly in Houston, may not be equipped to withstand a hard freeze. As a result, we would like to remind you of the potential damage that can occur to your pipes during such events. Furthermore, we would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the measures we take to protect your facilities and ensure they continue to operate smoothly during such conditions.

Freezing Temperatures Versus a Hard Freeze

When temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it is considered freezing. Typically, short periods of freezing temperatures do not result in damage to pipes or facilities. However, when temperatures fall below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for more than eight hours, it is classified as a hard freeze. During a hard freeze, the water in exposed lines and irrigation backflow preventers freezes, which can cause damage to equipment and instrumentation in the water and wastewater facilities.

It is important to note that as water freezes, it expands, which can lead to broken pipes, water loss, and costly repairs. In addition, there may be secondary expenses such as replacing damaged carpet, flooring, sheetrock, furniture, and other possessions. Furthermore, galvanized pipes may not burst during a freeze, but expansion can cause the galvanizing to separate from the pipe and create an area for corrosion to start, which can ultimately result in leaks.

To ensure the protection and uninterrupted operation of our customers’ facilities during a hard freeze, we take a number of preventative measures. We closely monitor weather reports, drain lines, and turn off water to outdoor faucets and other exposed areas. We also educate our customers on how to prepare for a hard freeze and what steps they can take to minimize the risk of damage to their facilities.

How Do I Prepare My Home?

  • All garden hoses should be disconnected from the outside spigots. If you forget and do not drain them, do not move them during freezing temperatures. They may be brittle and crack.
  • All exposed water pipes and outside spigots should be wrapped or covered and then taped. Most home improvement stores have tape, foam wrapping and other products for this purpose. Purchase supplies early as they usually sell out quickly when a hard freeze is coming.
  • Wrap pipes in the attic, especially if they are under an eave leading into the house. While they are not exposed to the outside, they can freeze quickly.
  • All lids on your water meter boxes should be securely closed to keep freezing winds out.
  • If you have an irrigation system, turn off the water to the system at your backflow preventer and then drain the system. Wrap the backflow preventer as well.
  • Start your preparations early while supplies are easier to find!

There are various methods and materials that can be utilized to prevent freeze damage, including foam and fiberglass insulation sized for specific pipes and secured with vinyl and plastic tape, prefabricated spigot covers, spray foam insulation, heat tape, heat lamps, and portable heaters. These items can usually be found at building supply stores, but it is not recommended to wait until the last minute as they may sell out quickly. If supplies are unavailable, improvising with towels and duct tape to insulate vulnerable areas can be an alternative. Turning off the water and draining the lines is the most reliable way to prevent freeze damage, which should always be done for backflow preventers and irrigation systems. However, turning off the water is not an option for those who need potable water inside their homes. To prevent water from expanding and breaking pipes during a freeze, it is best practice to periodically flush the lines through all fixtures inside the house. Space heaters, heat lamps, and heat tape can be used for small areas directly exposed to freezing temperatures, but caution should be exercised when using devices with extension cords.

When and Where Do I Prepare for a Freeze?

Preparing adequately for a winter freeze is imperative, given the high potential for costly damage and loss. Ensuring that preventative measures are in good condition throughout the winter is the best practice. In the event of a cold front, it is crucial to monitor the weather regularly to determine its arrival time, the anticipated temperature, and the duration of sub-freezing temperatures. By staying vigilant and well-prepared, we can minimize the risk of damage and loss resulting from a winter freeze.

How Does Inframark Prepare?

When it comes to protecting vital components, water and wastewater facilities are no different than your home, but a plant failure can have much higher consequences. At Inframark, we take a comprehensive approach to preparing for winter, considering the WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and HOW of our facilities. In the fall, we conduct Freeze Protection Audits to assess the most vulnerable components of the system and develop a plan to ensure their protection. The following items are just some of the components wrapped and insulated:

  • Above ground valves
  • Sensor lines
  • Sight glasses for hydropneumatic tanks
  • Backflow preventers
  • Blow off valves
  • Chemical feed lines
  • Drip oilers for wells
  • All exposed water lines
  • Heaters in exposed control rooms and cabinets

Inframark’s objective is to complete the winterization process by October, ensuring that all vulnerable components have been wrapped and insulated to prevent freezing damage. The Operator conducts a freeze protection audit and submits it to their manager, who then walks the site with the Operator to confirm that all potential freezing hazards have been addressed. Taking proactive measures to prevent freeze damage is far more cost-effective than dealing with the consequences after the fact. It is essential to winterize all susceptible areas, ensuring a safe winter season.

We hope that this winter will not see a serious hard freeze, but if we do, Inframark is ready.

Freezing Weather Notification

Winter weather and freezing temperatures are expected this week across Texas. The National Weather Service is forecasting widespread freezing temperatures on Friday and Saturday mornings. Residents should closely monitor media and the National Weather Service for updates to the forecast. We wanted to assure you that the teams at Inframark are monitoring and working diligently in preparation for a freezing weather event to safeguard your facilities. It is also important that you take action as well in protecting the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes and plants.

People

  • Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
  • If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat.
  • Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.

Pets

  • Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
  • Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes

  • Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain and store in protected area.
  • Wrap exposed faucets and pipes – including those outside the house or in unheated crawl spaces, attics, garages and other areas.

Plants

  • Bring potted plants inside or store in garage near interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
  • For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.

Additionally, if you have an irrigation system, turn off the water to the system at your backflow preventer and then drain the system so your irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads are not damaged.

The following sites can also be used as a source of information and to keep you updated:

Stay safe and stay warm.

Notice to Customer Regarding Extreme Weather Emergency

The Public Utility Commission’s rule in Title 16, Chapter 24 Texas Admin. Code § 24.173(d) prohibits your water and sewer provider from imposing a late fee or from disconnecting your retail water or sewer service for nonpayment of bills that are due during an extreme weather emergency until after the emergency is over.

An extreme weather emergency is defined as a period beginning when the previous day’s highest temperature in your area did not exceed 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and the temperature is predicted to remain at or below that level for the next 24 hours according to the nearest National Weather Service reports for your area. For the purposes of these requirements, an extreme weather emergency is over on the second business day the temperature exceed 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Your water and sewer provider is required to offer a payment schedule to an affected customer that timely requests a payment schedule. If you are affected by an extreme weather emergency, you may request a payment schedule for unpaid bills that are due during the extreme weather emergency.

For affected customers that timely request a payment schedule, your water and sewer provider is prohibited from disconnecting service for nonpayment of bills that are due during an extreme weather emergency. However, once a payment schedule is offered, disconnections may resume if you (1) decline to timely accept the payment schedule, or (2) violate the terms of the payment schedule.

If you have a bill from your water and sewer provider due during an extreme weather emergency, then you qualify to request a payment schedule. Please contact EDP: An Inframark Company’s Customer Service at 832-467-1599.

Aviso Al Cliente Sobre Emergencia Por Condiciones Del Tiempo Extremas

La regla de la Comisión de Servicios Públicos en el Título 16, Capítulo 24, del Código Administrativo de Texas § 24.173(d) prohíbe a su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado imponer un cargo por mora o desconectar su servicio minorista de agua o alcantarillado por falta de pago de las facturas adeudadas durante una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas hasta después de que la emergencia haya terminado.

Una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas se define como un periodo que comienza cuando la temperatura más alta del día previo en su área no superó los 28 grados Fahrenheit y se prevé que la temperatura permanecerá en ese nivel o debajo de él durante las siguientes 24 horas según los informes más cercanos del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional para su área. A efectos de estos requisitos, una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas finaliza el segundo día laborable en que la temperatura supera los 28 grados Fahrenheit.

Su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado debe ofrecer un programa de pago a un cliente afectado que lo solicite oportunamente. Si se ve afectado por una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas, puede solicitar un programa de pago para las facturas impagas adeudadas durante la emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas.

Para los clientes afectados que soliciten oportunamente un programa de pago, su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado tiene prohibido desconectar el servicio por falta de pago de las facturas adeudadas durante una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas. Sin embargo, una vez que se ofrece un programa de pago, las desconexiones pueden reanudarse si usted (1) se niega a aceptar oportunamente el programa de pago, o (2) viola los términos del programa de pago.

Si tiene una factura de su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado adeudada durante una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas, entonces tiene derecho a solicitar un programa de pago. Póngase en contacto con nuestra oficina en: EDP: An Inframark Company 832-467-1599.