Southeast Texas weather is usually nice this time of year. We average 60’s F for highs and 40’s F for lows. There is usually a lot of sunshine and we are outside every day. Over the last couple days, that has changed. As most of us are aware, a cold front with ice and snow is working its way across the country and we here in SE Texas have not been spared. This morning the temp was 32 degrees F. and, the next two mornings are going to be even colder. Houses in this part of the state don’t have basements and so we need to be extra vigilant to take care of our water pipes during cold spells. Lucky us.

The water table is so close to the surface here that having a basement isn’t possible. Most homes’ water systems are built into the attic and pipes run down the walls to the sinks and other plumbing features. Houses aren’t insulated as heavily as homes in the northern states and so when freezing weather hits, it can cause some real problems. So for the next two nights we will be leaving a bathroom faucet dripping, keeping the cabinet doors open under the sinks, and possibly running space heaters in front of the plumbing inside on the outside walls of the house. There has also been some power outages throughout the state due to ice on powerlines, and we’re hoping that doesn’t happen to us.

We came to Texas to escape the winter weather in Minnesota and now it’s coming here. Lucky for us it only lasts for a few days. Before long we’ll be back outside enjoying 50’s F and 60’s F weather. We’re keeping all of you in our thoughts and hoping you all make it through this rough patch as we’re hoping we do as well. Stay positive!