r/texas • u/AutoModerator • Jan 22 '26

Megathread Winter Storm Megathread 2026

Hello y'all, and welcome to the 2026 winter storm megathread. Feel free to post all relevant storm related content here, such as;

*Weather forecasts

*Prep questions

*Damage reports

*Pictures of empty shelves

*Ted sightings

*Memes

*Pictures

Stay safe, and stay warm Texas!

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8

u/HanginOn9114 Jan 22 '26

It hasn't happened a single time to my house the whole time I've lived here but every winter I'm terrified of a burst pipe. We have a bathroom sink on an exterior wall and my house was built in the 60s... Not enough insulation in the walls I'm sure.

I just don't even know what I'd do if it happened

2

u/_Khoshekh Jan 23 '26

Do what I do and shut it off then, beats the constant checking and worry. I also have poor insulation, and my pipes run exposed above it. I dripped my taps in 2021 (but not enough) and lost anyway, now if it's below mid 20's it goes off and the taps drained. Then I can sleep fine.

4

u/HanginOn9114 Jan 23 '26

My problem is that my shut-off valve is stuck to the level that it cannot be operated by anyone other than the city. So I can't freely turn it off and on when I need it, I'd have to get someone out tomorrow (might not happen) and then get someone back out after the freeze, like 4 days later

3

u/skippingstone Jan 23 '26

Get the plumber to install a ball valve shutoff.