Texas Winter Freeze Checklist: Protect Your Pipes and Review Your Policy

Texans remember February 2021. Winter Storm Uri brought days of freezing temperatures and widespread power outages, and when the thaw came, water poured out of burst pipes in homes from Dallas and Fort Worth to Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Many homes in Texas were built for heat, not hard freezes, with pipes in exterior walls, attics and slab foundations.

Winter is coming again. Here is a seasonal checklist to get your home and your insurance ready before the first hard freeze of the season.

Before the first freeze: the house

• Find your main water shutoff and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is and how to turn it.
• Insulate exposed pipes in attics, garages, crawl spaces and exterior walls. Foam sleeves are inexpensive and easy to install.
• Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets.
• Check your irrigation system and backflow preventer. Many need to be drained or insulated.
• Service your heating system so it is ready when you need it.
• Consider a smart water leak sensor or automatic shutoff valve. Some insurers ask about them.
• Plan for a power outage. Flashlights, blankets, a way to charge phones and safe heat sources matter. Never run a generator or grill indoors or in a garage. Ready.gov has winter weather guidance.

Before the first freeze: the policy

• Read the water damage section. Sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe is commonly covered under homeowners policies. Damage from slow leaks, wear and tear, or neglect often is not.
• Look for the freezing condition. Many policies say freeze-related damage is covered only if you took reasonable care to maintain heat or shut off and drain the water. That matters if you travel during a cold snap or own a vacant property.
• Check your deductible. Know whether you have a flat deductible or a percentage deductible, and what that would mean in a real claim.
• Ask about water backup coverage. If sewers or drains back up during a storm or outage, that damage is often excluded unless you add an endorsement.
• Review additional living expenses. In 2021, many families had to move out while drywall dried and pipes were replaced. Know how your policy handles that.
• Think about your car. Ice damage, falling limbs and frozen-road accidents can involve comprehensive and collision coverage on your auto policy.

During a freeze

• Keep the heat on at a steady temperature, even if you are away.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls.
• Let faucets drip if your local water utility recommends it, and follow any conservation requests.

If a pipe bursts

1. Shut off the main water valve right away.
2. Turn off electricity to affected areas if it is safe to do so.
3. Take photos and video before cleanup.
4. Stop further damage: move belongings, remove standing water and start drying.
5. Keep receipts for emergency repairs and supplies.
6. Call your agent or insurer to report the claim promptly.

After a widespread freeze, plumbers and restoration companies can be booked for days. Be cautious with contractors who show up at your door, and check licensing. The Texas Department of Insurance has consumer help on filing claims and avoiding fraud.

Get a winter review

Peak Insurance is licensed in Texas and works with 60+ carriers. We can review how your homeowners policy treats freeze and water damage and compare options if there are gaps. Visit our Texas insurance page or our home insurance page, call (855) 449-8552, or contact us.