Plumber warns after Texas toilet fix reveals an expensive freeze-related plumbing problem

"The pipes kept breaking every time we touched one."

In one Amarillo, Texas, home, even touching the pipes caused them to fail.

With 27-year-old plumbing in place, what started as a routine toilet repair turned into a much bigger job, ABC 7 Amarillo reported.

Here's what to know

Sharon Ketchum called in professionals after efforts to stop a major water leak did not work.

Her aging PVC plumbing had split, and once the toilet was replaced, the family discovered the damage extended beneath the house.

"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 failing pipes, moved a main water line from near an outside wall to the middle of the home, and added insulation.

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More background

As local plumbers discussed ways to help homeowners avoid similar emergencies during cold weather, the Panhandle had already seen its first freeze.

Drain Guys owner RJ Marquez said the company had already taken calls about plumbing damage caused by freezing temperatures.

"We get calls where water lines have busted underneath homes or in walls," he told ABC 7.

Pipes running along exterior walls are especially at risk, particularly on the north side where cold winds can hit hardest.

Alex Marquez, a master plumber with The Drain Guys, said drafts can also enter crawl spaces under pier-and-beam homes.

He added that exposed pipes and outdoor faucets should be protected as temperatures drop, according to ABC 7.

For Ketchum, replacing the plumbing was about prevention — avoiding another emergency during freezing weather.

What can be done?

Replacing worn-out pipes can be a major project, but some preventive steps are relatively inexpensive.

Alex Marquez recommended opening under-sink cabinets so warmer air can reach the pipes. He also advised insulating exposed pipes and sealing drafts, ABC 7 reported. RJ Marquez said hardware store pipe insulation is a low-cost place to start, and properly installed heat tape may also help.

They also suggested disconnecting garden hoses and using insulated covers on outdoor faucets to reduce the chance of weather-related plumbing problems. Letting faucets drip during freezing weather can also help, though the needed flow depends on how exposed the plumbing is to the cold.

Knowing where the main water shutoff valve is — and how to use it — is important if a pipe bursts, Alex told ABC 7. It can also give homeowners time to schedule repairs during regular hours instead of paying emergency service charges.

Anyone who cannot find a meter or shutoff valve can contact a licensed plumber or their water utility for help.

"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 focus on 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.