Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

How a fast-food cup could keep pipes from freezing this weekend

Video Player Placeholder
Austin weather: Arctic blast is coming...
  • Extreme winter weather is prompting Texans, particularly in Houston, to use a Whataburger cup hack to protect outdoor pipes from freezing.
  • Harris County Precinct 4 deputies and experts from Texas A&M University - Central Texas endorse the styrofoam cup method as a legitimate last-resort solution.
  • The hack involves preparing the cup by poking a hole, threading a rubber band, securing it and attaching it to the faucet, with an option to stack two cups for extra insulation.
  • Styrofoam's insulating properties, due to tiny air bubbles, help keep freezing air out, preventing water expansion that can lead to burst pipes and water damage.
  • This advice comes as over 30 U.S. states face severe winter storm warnings, with dangerously cold temperatures expected to impact more than 170 million Americans.
In full

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in