With a freeze on the horizon, experts say the biggest key is preparation, including covering any valves or hoses that are exposed to the outdoors.

AUSTIN, Texas — Now is the time to prepare your home before temperatures drop below freezing this weekend. 


Protecting your pipes

When it comes to pipes, the key is covering up anything that is exposed to the outdoors, like irrigation valves and hoses. You can use anything from a regular hose bib cover that you would find at a hardware store, to a towel, as long as it is dry and protects the valve from the elements.

“Probably 40% of the valves that we replace after a freeze are related to irrigation,” said Alan Torres, a licensed plumber with Reliant Plumbing. 

Torres also recommends to shut off water overnight during a freeze, which he says will be a big help if a pipe bursts. Then, during the day, he says to keep water dripping from a faucet to prevent it from freezing. Outdoor tankless water heaters are another fixture you will want to turn off and drain overnight.

When it’s time to turn the water back on, Torres said the key is to turn it on slowly. 

“We don’t want to just turn the valve on 100% and let the water just rapidly fill up the pipes. We want to take it slow, walk the house and see if you notice any leaks,” Torres said. 


Trimming trees

As for the trees around your house, seasoned arborist Jerry Weatherred with Good Guys Tree Service said now’s not the time to panic and cut off a bunch of tree limbs. 

“No amount of pruning is going to stop limbs from breaking,” Weatherred said. “If you’re like, ‘An ice storm is going to be here in two days, I need to get my trees trimmed,’ you’re too late.”

He said the biggest tip is hiring a professional company to help mitigate the damage that does occur and making sure you are preparing your trees all year round before the next freeze. 

During a freeze, Weatherred said to look out for uncertified companies that will try to take advantage of homeowners. 

“If someone’s knocking on your door saying, ‘Oh, you better do this or that before the storm hits’, never, never trust them,” Weatherred said. “They’re not there for the betterment or health of your trees; they’re only there to make money in the moment.”

He said there are lower branches that might fall under the weight of ice, but they won’t move around or scratch your house. But many unprofessional companies will try to cut those off, therefore creating more damage when the higher limbs have nothing to catch on to if they break off from the ice.

“Coming in and trying to cut off limbs that you think might hit your house may cause the entire tree to land on your house,” Weatherred said. “Don’t panic and have somebody come in and damage your trees that may take decades to repair that damage.”