DFW Freeze Prep: Protect Your People, Pets, Plants, and Your Home

Cold snaps are part of life in North Texas. Even when they are expected, the damage that follows often is not. Power interruptions, frozen plumbing, and moisture problems can create short-term disruption and long-term issues that show up weeks or months later.

Preparing for freezing weather in the Dallas–Fort Worth area is not just about comfort. It is about reducing risk for the humans in the house, the animals and plants you care for, and the structure itself.

Why freeze prep matters in DFW

North Texas sees freezing temperatures more regularly than other parts of the state, which can lead to a false sense of confidence. The real issue is duration. Extended cold increases exposure time for pipes, attics, exterior walls, and mechanical systems.

Common consequences after freezes include:

• Burst or cracked pipes that leak after thawing
• Saturated drywall and insulation
• Mold growth weeks later
• HVAC strain or failure
• Appliance and water heater damage

Many of these problems are not immediately visible.

Power reality in North Texas winters

DFW is part of the ERCOT-managed grid. While improvements have been made since past winter events, extreme cold can still lead to outages caused by demand spikes, equipment failures, or localized infrastructure issues.

The takeaway is simple. You cannot control the grid, but you can control how prepared your household and home are if power is disrupted.

A people, pets, and plants plan

People

• Have a safe heat plan that does not rely on improper indoor fuel use.
• Keep drinking water on hand in case of frozen pipes or boil notices.
• Plan for food and medications that do not require electricity.
• Ensure phones and essential devices can be charged without wall power.

Pets, including non-traditional pets

• Dogs and cats need warmth and consistent access to water.
• Birds, reptiles, fish, and small mammals are especially sensitive to temperature swings.
• Know which pets require backup heat sources and which need relocation if power is lost.
• Keep carriers, leashes, medications, and basic supplies ready.

Plants

• Protect outdoor plants with covers where appropriate.
• Move sensitive plants indoors but avoid placing them in garages that may drop below freezing.
• Shut down and protect irrigation systems. Plant protection lines can freeze just like plumbing.

The house plan: preventing expensive damage

Before the freeze

• Insulate exposed pipes and exterior hose bibs.
• Locate and label the main water shutoff.
• Seal obvious gaps around doors, garages, and utility penetrations.
• Verify attic insulation and ventilation are adequate.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

During the freeze

• Drip faucets connected to plumbing on exterior walls.
• Open cabinets under sinks on exterior walls to allow warm air circulation.
• Monitor water pressure and flow changes.
• Watch for unusual sounds in walls or ceilings.

After the thaw

This is where many homeowners miss problems.

• Check under sinks, behind appliances, around water heaters, and at attic access points.
• Look for damp drywall, staining, or musty odors.
• Inspect exterior walls and ceilings below bathrooms and kitchens.
  If something looks off, waiting often makes the damage worse.

Why winter conditions matter during inspections

Cold weather can reveal insulation gaps, heating performance issues, and moisture intrusion that are harder to spot in mild conditions.

For buyers, winter inspections can uncover problems that affect comfort and operating costs.

For homeowners, a pre-winter or post-freeze inspection can identify small issues before they turn into insurance claims or major repairs.

Homeowners across Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Arlington, Irving, Garland, Richardson, Lewisville, and surrounding areas all face the same reality. Freezing weather is not rare here, but the damage that follows is often underestimated.

Preparation protects more than pipes. It protects the people, pets, plants, and the home itself.