Preparing Your Home For An Upcoming Freeze

A guide to preparing your home for an upcoming freeze.

Winter can be a magical time, filled with precious moments with your family and cozy movie nights fueled by popcorn and hot cocoa. The cool weather can be a delightful break from the triple digit weather that we experienced in the Summer, however, it can come with its own list of problems.

In 2021, we experienced a record breaking freeze that caused many to be without power for days. Some even experienced burst pipes that sent them into a very unwelcome home repair project.

While some outcomes are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to give your home and your family the best chance against a hard Texas freeze.

Preparing the exterior of your home:

Water your grass and plants more than 24 hours prior to a freeze to help insulate and protect the roots from damage. You may also want to cover your plants with blankets, towels, or tarps prior to the freeze.
Leave the leaves as they will provide even more insulation and protection to your plants and trees.
Shut off and bleed your sprinkler/irrigation system.
Disconnect hoses and store them away to protect your pipes from back pressure and keep your equipment in good condition.
Shut off and wrap exterior faucets.
Clean gutters to prevent water accumulation.
Keep the garage door closed to provide an extra layer of protection to any pipes within those walls.
If you are leaving your home for the freeze, turn off your water at the main shut off valve and bleed your pipes to eliminate any remaining water. Leave your heat turned on while you are away.

Preparing the interior of your home:

Keep your thermostat set to the same temperature for daytime and nighttime – a minimum of 65°
Check and insulate exposed pipes in the crawlspace and attic.
Seal cracks or holes with caulk to keep the cold air outside. Check for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, pipes, windows, and doors.
Open cabinet doors to allow the heat from your home to reach pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
Set interior faucets to drip (cold and hot) to maintain a steady flow of water, reducing your chances of frozen pipes.
If the sun is not shining, keep your blinds and curtains closed. This will help maintain a consistent, warm temperature in your home, especially in the event of a power outage.
Bring your animals inside if you can.

Important supplies to have on hand:

Bottled water
Plenty of food and snacks
Flashlights
Back-up battery/power station
First-aid

Use caution during power outages:

Do not use propane inside your home.
It is recommended that generators be ran a minimum of 25ft away from all doors and windows.
Avoid using candles. Use flashlights or battery powered lanterns instead.
Keep all doors and windows closed to maintain the temperature inside your home.

Final thoughts.

I hope that you find this guide helpful as you work to prepare your home and your family for the freezing temperatures. Please feel free to share this resource with your friends and loved ones to help them prepare.

If you or anyone you know is considering buying or selling a home in 2025, I hope you will think of me. It is my joy and pleasure to serve you through your entire home ownership journey. Contact me if there is anything I can do to help you.

Be safe and stay warm.