When temperatures drop in Texas, especially in rural areas like Conroe, Montgomery County, and the surrounding North Houston communities, your well system is at risk of freezing damage. Unlike northern states where freezing is expected and infrastructure is designed for it, Texas well systems are often vulnerable because they're not built for sustained cold. A single hard freeze can burst pipes, crack pressure tanks, and destroy pump motors—leaving you without water and facing expensive repairs.
Understand Your Vulnerable Points
The components most at risk are anything exposed to outside air or located in unheated spaces. This includes the pipe from your well to your pressure tank, outdoor spigots, pressure switches in pump houses, and any above-ground wellheads. PVC pipes are especially vulnerable—they become brittle when cold and crack easily. Metal pipes can freeze and burst just like household plumbing. The pressure tank itself, if waterlogged, can freeze and rupture from ice expansion.
Insulation Is Your First Defense
Wrap all exposed pipes with foam insulation sleeves, available at any hardware store. For areas with a history of freezing, add heat tape beneath the insulation and plug it in during cold snaps. Cover outdoor spigots with insulated covers or wrap them in towels secured with plastic. If your pressure tank is in an unheated pump house, add a heat lamp or small space heater during freezing weather. Even a few degrees of temperature difference can prevent catastrophic damage.
Keep Water Moving
During extreme cold, letting faucets drip can prevent freezing because moving water is harder to freeze than stagnant water. If you have above-ground pipes or a pump house, opening cabinet doors under sinks allows warmer indoor air to circulate around plumbing. For well systems with a pressure tank, the pump's cycling during normal use helps keep water moving through the system, which provides some natural freeze protection.
What to Do If Something Freezes
If you suspect a frozen pipe, do not use open flame to thaw it—this is a fire hazard and can damage pipes. Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, or electric heating pad applied gradually. Start thawing at the faucet end and work back toward the frozen section. If your pump house or wellhead freezes, call a professional. Attempting to force a frozen pump to run can burn out the motor. We provide emergency freeze recovery services across our entire North Houston service area.
Don't wait for the first freeze to prepare your well system. Call 77 Water Well Inc. at (281) 456-4556 to schedule a winterization inspection.