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Prepping your home for the blasting weather

How to Prepare Your Home for a Freeze in Houston

Houston isn’t built for prolonged freezing temperatures, which means preparation is key to avoiding major damage and costly repairs. Here’s how to protect your home when a freeze is in the forecast.

1. Protecting Your Pipes

Frozen and burst pipes are one of the most common (and expensive) freeze-related issues in Houston.

What to do:

  • Insulate exposed pipes in attics, garages, and exterior walls

  • Cover outdoor spigots with insulated faucet covers

  • Disconnect and drain garden hoses

  • Let faucets drip slowly during extreme cold to prevent pressure buildup

  • Know where your main water shutoff valve is located

2. Preparing Your Air Conditioning System

Your AC unit is vulnerable during freezing temperatures if not properly protected.

What to do:

  • Turn off the AC system if temperatures drop below freezing

  • Cover the outdoor unit with a breathable AC cover or tarp (avoid plastic)

  • Clear debris around the unit to ensure proper airflow

  • Do not wrap the unit too tightly—moisture needs to escape

3. Using Space Heaters Safely

Space heaters can help keep your home warm, but they must be used with caution.

Safety tips:

  • Keep heaters at least 3 feet away from anything flammable

  • Never leave space heaters unattended

  • Plug heaters directly into wall outlets—avoid extension cords

  • Turn heaters off before sleeping or leaving the house

  • Use models with automatic shutoff and tip-over protection

4. Generator Preparation & Use

Power outages are common during freezes, making generators a valuable backup.

Important guidelines:

  • Never run generators indoors or in garages

  • Keep generators at least 20 feet from windows and doors

  • Store enough fuel safely and properly

  • Test your generator before freezing weather arrives

  • Use heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use

5. General Freeze Safety Tips

A little planning goes a long way when Houston experiences extreme cold.

Be prepared by:

  • Sealing drafts around windows and doors

  • Keeping cabinets under sinks open to allow warm air circulation

  • Stocking emergency supplies (water, flashlights, batteries)

  • Checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

  • Staying informed through local weather alerts