Simply touching pipes caused them to break in one Amarillo, Texas, home.
With 27-year-old plumbing, the homeowner found that a routine toilet repair would require a much larger project, ABC 7 Amarillo reported.
Here's what to know
Sharon Ketchum called professionals after attempts to fix a substantial water leak failed.
Her older PVC plumbing had split, and replacing a toilet revealed a problem that extended beneath her home.
"We were changing out a commode. The wax seal and the pipe on the inside broke in the commode," Ketchum told ABC 7. "And then we got underneath, and the pipes kept breaking every time we touched one."
Plumbers replaced the deteriorating plumbing, relocating a main water line from beside an outside wall to the center of the home and adding insulation.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
The Panhandle had experienced its first freeze when local plumbers shared advice to help homeowners avoid similar emergencies.
The Drain Guys owner RJ Marquez said the company had already received calls about plumbing problems caused by freezing temperatures.
"We get calls where water lines have busted underneath homes or in walls," he told ABC 7.
Plumbing along exterior walls is particularly vulnerable, especially on a northern side exposed to cold winds.
Alex Marquez, a master plumber with The Drain Guys, warned that drafts can enter crawl spaces beneath pier-and-beam homes.
Exposed pipes and outdoor faucets also need protection as temperatures fall, he said, per ABC 7.
Ketchum's goal with the plumbing replacement was prevention — she wanted to avoid another emergency in freezing weather.
What can be done?
Replacing deteriorating pipes can be a major undertaking, but some precautions are relatively inexpensive.
Alex Marquez recommended opening under-sink cabinets to let warm air reach pipes. His other advice included insulating exposed pipes and sealing drafts, according to ABC 7. RJ Marquez noted that hardware store pipe insulation is an affordable starting point, while properly installed heat tape may also help.
They also mentioned disconnecting garden hoses and fitting insulated covers over outdoor faucets to prevent weather-related plumbing issues. Dripping water from faucets in freezing weather can lower the risk, too, though the necessary flow varies with the plumbing's exposure to cold.
It's important to know where the main water shutoff is — and how to use it — to limit flooding if a pipe bursts, Alex told ABC 7. That may also allow homeowners to delay repairs until normal operating hours and avoid emergency service fees.
Anyone who can't locate their meter or shutoff valve can seek help from a licensed plumber or their water utility.
"I was going to try to put it off for another year, and that wasn't going to happen. It had to be done this year," Ketchum told the outlet.
Where can I learn more?
These stories cover bathroom plumbing concerns.
• A toilet refilling every two minutes pointed to a possible $20 water bill fix.
• A homeowner paid to cut open a wall before plumbers looked to the shower.
• A homeowner feared a cracking bathroom floor meant a collapse, but plumbers offered reassurance.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
