Winterizing Your Home
A Texas homeowner's checklist — because Winter Storm Uri taught us all a lesson
Most Texas homeowners don't think much about winterizing — until a hard freeze hits and pipes burst. After Winter Storm Uri in 2021, thousands of San Antonio homeowners faced catastrophic water damage that could have been prevented. This checklist takes a few hours and can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
"Texas winters are unpredictable. The homeowners who came through Winter Storm Uri with minimal damage were the ones who had taken a few hours to prepare. Don't wait for the forecast."
Protect Your Pipes
This is the most critical step for Texas homeowners. Insulate exposed pipes in the attic, garage, and under sinks with foam pipe insulation ($1–$2 per foot at any hardware store). Know where your main water shutoff is — if a pipe bursts, you need to be able to cut the water immediately. During a hard freeze, let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving through the pipes.
Seal Air Leaks
Check weatherstripping around doors and windows. Hold a lit candle near frames on a windy day — if the flame flickers, you have a leak. Replace worn weatherstripping and apply fresh caulk around window frames. This keeps cold air out, reduces your heating bill, and prevents moisture intrusion that leads to mold.
Service Your Heating System
Schedule a heating system tune-up in October or November before demand peaks. Replace the air filter, test the thermostat, and make sure all vents are open. If you have a gas furnace, have a technician check for carbon monoxide leaks. Stock up on filters so you can change them monthly during heavy use.
Outdoor Faucets and Irrigation
Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets — a connected hose traps water in the bib and can cause it to freeze and crack. If your home has frost-free hose bibs, they'll protect themselves as long as no hose is connected. Shut off and drain your irrigation system before the first freeze. Blow out the lines with compressed air if possible.
Stock an Emergency Kit
Keep a winter emergency kit in your home: flashlights and batteries, a battery-powered phone charger, bottled water (at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days), non-perishable food, blankets, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Know your utility company's outage reporting number and have it saved in your phone.
Quick Checklist
- Insulate exposed pipes in attic and garage
- Locate and test main water shutoff valve
- Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets
- Shut off and drain irrigation system
- Replace weatherstripping on doors and windows
- Caulk around window frames
- Schedule heating system tune-up
- Stock winter emergency supplies
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