Can a Whataburger Styrofoam Cup Protect Your Pipes?

Some winter prep tips are simple, but when you’re in a pinch, protecting exposed pipes can be the trickiest and most expensive of them all. That’s why a viral hack has Texans reaching for an unlikely solution: a Styrofoam cup. Yes, even trusty Whataburger cups.

So, does covering your pipes with a Whataburger cup actually work? Surprisingly, yes. Any Styrofoam cup can help protect exposed pipes during a freeze.

Experts at Texas A&M University–Central Texas say Styrofoam is an effective insulator. Just like it keeps a hot cup of coffee from burning your hands, it can also help block cold air from reaching your faucet.

“You’re putting that faucet inside that cup to keep the cold weather from getting inside,” said Kelley. “It’s not as effective as products specifically designed for spigots, but a Styrofoam cup of any kind is definitely better than nothing.”

To try it yourself, start by poking a small hole in the bottom of the cup. Thread a rubber band or piece of cord through the hole, then secure it with a pen, pencil, or small stick so it doesn’t slip back through. Stretch the rubber band over the faucet, position the cup over the spigot, and let it snap into place.

Because Styrofoam cups are thin, you can also stack a few together before poking the hole for added insulation.

And one more tip to keep in mind: if the power goes out, some Texans say the Whataburger app has been useful for tracking outages, along with the ERCOT website.

Lana Backman