Essential Winter Weather Tips: How to Prepare for a Freeze in Texas
Texans are no strangers to unpredictable weather and storms. Whether you’re new to our great state or a proud lifelong resident, you’ll likely see your fair share of wild weather – including winter freezes. For many, the “Great Texas Freeze” of 2021 is still fresh in mind. While that winter felt like a “once-in-a-lifetime” event, freezes are becoming increasingly common in Houston and throughout Texas.
Residents need to be prepared to safeguard their home, apartment, or business when temperatures begin to dip. This guide features tips and advice so you can be better prepared to face future freezing temperatures. Read on to learn how you can safeguard your property from the frigid cold, what steps you can take ahead of time to reduce the risk of home damage, and what to do if your property or residence is impacted by a freeze.
What Happened the Last Time Texas Froze?
In February 2021, Texas experienced a historic freeze that claimed over 200 lives and impacted millions of homeowners, apartment residents, and commercial businesses – bringing record cold weather, major power outages, and severe infrastructure failure throughout the state.
While the temperatures were much to blame, the primary factor that contributed to the Great Texas Freeze was the failure of Texas’ power grid. Millions of families were unable to heat their home property – leading to the worst freeze in our state’s history.
Luckily, much has changed since 2021, including the weatherization of Texas’ power grid and Senate Bill 3 which required power plants to be better equipped to provide power despite the frigid temperatures.
How to Prepare for a Freeze in Texas
As the winter season settles in, it's critical to take proactive steps to safeguard your home from potential damage caused by frigid cold temperatures – including bursting pipes.
Insulate Pipes to Reduce the Risk of Bursting
A common problem Texas homeowners experience when temperatures drop below freezing is burst pipes. Safeguard your home by making sure any exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas such as an attic, are properly insulated. Insulating water supply pipes in vulnerable areas of your home with insulating pipe wrap and foam pipe covers can keep you protected.
Allow Your Faucets to Drip
For those not from the area, you may question, “why do I need to drip my faucets?” The answer is simple: standing water is more likely to freeze than moving water. When temperatures begin to reach freezing, allow your faucets that are connected to exposed pipes to drip slightly. Keep them flowing at an even drip – not a full stream but several even drops per second. This alleviates pressure in the pipes, reducing the risk of them bursting.
You don’t have to worry about every faucet in your house, just the ones near exterior walls. The pipes that those faucets rely on are more likely to freeze than faucets on interior walls.
Maintain a Consistent Temperature Throughout Your Whole House or Apartment
During a winter freeze, you will want to keep your thermostat set above 55°F, even when you are away from home. Not only do insurance companies require you to keep your heat on and your home above that threshold of 55°, you can prevent your pipes from freezing by keeping your home heated. If your home is going to be unoccupied for an extended period, and you don’t want to keep the heat on, be sure to shut off the water supply and drain the system and appliances of water to avoid frozen pipes.
Prepare for Winter Weather by Stocking Necessary Items
While winter storms don’t necessitate panic buying 200 rolls of toilet paper at Costco, you should have certain critical items on hand in case you get trapped at home for several days without power. Important items to have on hand include:
Easy to assemble food for every member of the family
Disposable dishes and cutlery
Clean drinking water (at least half a gallon of water per person per day)
Fleece blankets
Flashlights
Fresh Batteries
Power banks for charging phones and other critical electronics
A portable heating source or propane grill
Books, CDs, and board games to pass the time
By stocking these items, you should be able to comfortably wait out the worst of the winter weather at home.
Consult with a Public Adjuster
When it comes to navigating Texas’ wild weather, the best advice you can follow is to consult with a public insurance adjuster. Licensed public adjusters help homeowners navigate the insurance claims process – ensuring you get a full and fair settlement from your insurance company. Additionally, many public adjusters can meet with you before disaster strikes to review your policy and help you understand your home’s coverage.
If you find yourself picking up the pieces after a winter freeze, don’t hesitate to contact a public adjuster to help streamline the claims process, so your life can return to normal quicker.
Prepare Today, Recover Tomorrow: How to Navigate Texas Freeze Claims
When faced with freeze-related property damage, navigating insurance claims can be complex. That’s why you need a public adjuster who can fight for you – maximizing your insurance settlement. DC Hogan & Associates only advocates for you, the policyholder. We specialize in negotiating fair settlements and guiding you through the intricate process of insurance claims. From assessing structural damage to evaluating the impact on your belongings, we ensure comprehensive representation to get you a full and fair settlement.
Looking to review your policy before the winter weather arrives, or need representation after your property was damaged? We can help. Give us a call at (281) 333-0602 or submit a form online to have one of our local, trusted public adjuster contact you today. With DC Hogan & Associates, you’re shielded from the unexpected. Contact us today to get the settlement you deserve.