How to Prepare for Frozen Pipes in Austin and Hutto

Updated October 16, 2026

Preparing for frozen pipes is easier before temperatures fall. Start by locating your water shutoff, identifying exposed plumbing and checking your water provider’s current cold-weather instructions. A plan is especially useful if the property will be vacant or someone else may need to respond.

Homes in Austin and Hutto can be served by different utilities. Follow the provider for your property rather than assuming instructions for one city apply everywhere. Building layout, pipe location and the duration of freezing weather also affect what preparation is needed.

Make a plan before the forecast turns cold

Know how to reach the property owner, manager, utility and a licensed plumber. Locate the appropriate customer shutoff and make sure it is accessible. If you do not know which valve serves the property or how to operate it, ask before an emergency.

For a rental or shared building, clarify who may operate shutoffs and how a leak should be reported. Photograph the valve location for your household records and keep essential contact information somewhere accessible without power.

Identify vulnerable areas

Walk the accessible parts of the property and note plumbing in unheated spaces, exterior-wall areas, garages and outdoor fixtures. Do not enter unsafe attics or crawl spaces to inspect them. A plumber can help assess inaccessible or unfamiliar systems.

Austin Water’s cold-weather guidance recommends insulating exposed plumbing in unheated areas, disconnecting outdoor hoses and protecting exterior faucets. Follow equipment manufacturers’ instructions for water heaters and other systems. Irrigation and backflow equipment may need system-specific preparation.

Insulation and a faucet cover do not guarantee that a system cannot freeze. Consider the entire exposure: drafts, loss of heat, vacant rooms and the length of the cold spell.

During a freeze, follow current utility instructions

Check your provider’s updates as conditions develop. Guidance about dripping faucets, conserving water or protecting infrastructure may depend on the event. Austin Water distinguishes shorter freezes from extended events and directs customers to current updates for prolonged cold.

Keep the household aware of the plan. If cabinets are opened to allow warmer air around plumbing, move cleaners and other hazards out of the reach of children and pets. If heat fails, contact the appropriate service provider and reassess the plan rather than assuming indoor pipes remain protected.

If you will be away

Arrange for someone to check the property and know whom to call. Discuss an appropriate water-shutoff and heating plan with your utility, plumber or property manager. Water heaters, fire-protection equipment and shared systems should not be operated or drained without the right instructions.

A vacant home can develop a leak that goes unnoticed. Make sure the person checking the property knows where to look for water entry and how to report it without entering a hazardous area.

If flow stops or a pipe may be frozen

Reduced flow during freezing weather can indicate a frozen pipe or another supply issue. Check utility notices and contact a licensed plumber or property manager if the cause is uncertain. Never use an open flame to thaw plumbing.

If a pipe is leaking or has burst, stop using the affected area and follow the emergency plan. Shut off water only if the proper valve is safely accessible and you know how to operate it. Electrical exposure or a sagging ceiling requires extra caution.

Our burst-pipe response guide explains the next steps after a leak. Preparation and recovery are different tasks; this checklist is not a substitute for repairing failed plumbing.

Check the property after the thaw

Look from safe locations for active leaks, new stains, damp flooring or water around fixtures. Note anything unusual and arrange an assessment instead of covering it with new finishes. A loss discovered after temperatures rise still needs its source identified.

AllDone provides qualifying water damage restoration and reconstruction after a water loss. Contact the team to discuss resulting damage. Plumbing diagnosis and repair should be handled by the appropriate plumbing professional.