How to Prepare Your Home for a Freeze Guide

When cold weather hits, especially during a freeze, taking steps to protect your home is essential. Freezing temperatures can cause major damage if you’re not prepared. Here’s a quick and easy guide to help you get your house ready before the cold sets in.

Insulate Your Pipes

Pipes are highly vulnerable to freezing, which can lead to bursting and expensive repairs. Here’s what you can do:

Wrap exposed pipes in insulation material, especially those in basements, attics, or crawl spaces.

Use foam pipe covers or even towels and duct tape as a temporary fix.

Disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets and cover the faucets with insulated covers.

Seal Drafts

Cold air can sneak into your home through gaps, causing your heating system to work harder. Here’s how to keep the cold air out:

Check windows and doors for drafts and seal them with weatherstripping or caulking.

Install door sweeps on the bottom of exterior doors.

Cover windows with plastic window film to add an extra layer of insulation.

Check Your Heating System

Make sure your heating system is ready to keep your home warm:

Test your furnace before the freeze to ensure it’s working properly.

Replace the furnace filter to improve efficiency.

If you use a fireplace or wood stove, stock up on firewood and have your chimney inspected and cleaned.

Prepare for Power Outages

In the event of a power outage, you’ll want to be prepared to stay warm and safe:

Keep a supply of blankets and warm clothes handy.

Stock up on non-perishable food and bottled water.

Have flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio on hand.

If you have a generator, ensure it’s in good working condition and that you have enough fuel.

Protect Your Plants and Pets

Freezing temperatures can be harmful to both plants and pets:

Bring potted plants indoors or cover them with blankets to protect them from frost.

Move pets indoors or provide them with warm, sheltered spaces outside if bringing them inside isn’t possible.

Keep Your Home’s Temperature Steady

Even if you’re going to be away, it’s important to maintain a steady temperature to prevent freezing:

Set your thermostat to at least 55°F (13°C), even if you’re not home.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to let warm air circulate around pipes.

Consider leaving a small drip of water running from faucets to prevent pipe freezing.

Clear Gutters and Downspouts

Frozen water can clog your gutters, leading to leaks and ice damage:

Clean out leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts to prevent ice buildup.

Make sure water is directed away from your home’s foundation.


Know Where Your Water Shutoff Valve Is

In case your pipes do freeze and burst, knowing where your water shutoff valve is located can save you from serious water damage:

Locate your main water shutoff valve, which is usually in the basement or near the water meter.

If a pipe bursts, turn off the water immediately and call a plumber.