How to Prep Your North Texas Home for a Hard Freeze

If you lived through February 2021 in North Texas, you remember what a hard freeze does to a house that was not ready for it. Burst pipes, flooded ceilings and a week of waiting for a plumber who was booked solid. Most of that damage is preventable with a little prep before the first freeze warning.

Know where your main water shutoff is

This is the single most important thing on this list. In most North Texas homes the main shutoff is in the garage near the water heater or in a box near the street by the meter. Find it now, make sure it turns, and show everyone in the house where it is. If a pipe bursts, shutting the water off in the first two minutes is the difference between a small repair and a ceiling replacement.

Protect exterior faucets

Disconnect every hose. A connected hose traps water in the faucet and that is usually what splits first. Put an insulated cover over each hose bib. They cost a few dollars at any hardware store.

Insulate exposed pipes

Check the garage, the attic and any pipes on exterior walls. Foam pipe sleeves are easy to install and make a real difference. Pay extra attention to pipes near the water heater in the garage since that space gets cold fast.

Drip faucets on the coldest nights

When temperatures drop into the low 20s or below, let a slow drip run from faucets on exterior walls. Open the cabinet doors under those sinks so warm air from the house can reach the pipes.

Cover the irrigation backflow preventer

That brass device sticking out of the ground near your sprinkler system is one of the first things to crack. Shut off the irrigation, drain it if you can, and wrap the backflow with an insulated cover or an old towel and a bucket.

Seal the drafts

Worn door sweeps and gaps around windows let cold air pull heat out of the house and away from your pipes. Replacing weatherstripping is a quick job and helps year round.

Keep the heat on if you travel

If you leave town over the holidays, do not turn the thermostat off. Set it no lower than 55 degrees. A cold empty house is exactly where pipes freeze.

Need help getting ready?

We handle weatherstripping, door sweeps, pipe insulation and exterior faucet covers in one visit across Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Prosper and the surrounding area. Get on the schedule before the first freeze warning, not after. Request an estimate here.