Cold weather prep
A quick, calm checklist to avoid the stuff that actually causes stress: pipes, power, and unsafe heating.
The 60-second checklist
This is the "avoid the annoying stuff" list — the things that cause the most damage or the biggest headaches when Austin freezes. If you do nothing else, do these.
- Cover outdoor spigots — use an insulated cover, or wrap with a towel and tape in a pinch.
- Bring hoses inside — disconnect and drain so water isn't trapped when it freezes.
- Know your main shutoff valve — find it now so you're not learning at 2am with wet floors.
- Set heat to a steady temp — don't "turn it off to save money" during a freeze. Keep it at 65+.
- Charge everything now — phones, battery banks, flashlights, lanterns. Before the storm, not during.
Protect your pipes
Most freeze damage isn't dramatic — it's one pipe that bursts quietly, then shows up as a ceiling stain days later. This is how people avoid it.
- Drip exterior-wall faucets — during a hard freeze, a slow drip on faucets on outside walls keeps water moving.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks — especially on exterior walls, so warm air can reach the pipes.
- Keep heat on and steady — temperature swings stress pipes. A constant 65° protects more than cycling on/off.
- Insulate exposed exterior pipes — foam pipe wrap is cheap at any hardware store and stays on year-round.
- Know your main water shutoff — if you lose heat for an extended period, shutting off the main prevents a burst from becoming a flood.
Power outages
The goal isn't panic-prepping. It's avoiding the two things that make outages miserable: no heat plan and no info. An hour of prep covers most scenarios.
- Light plan ready — flashlights and lanterns over candles. Fire risk climbs fast when people are cold and tired.
- Pick one warm room — closing off a small room and layering blankets/sleeping bags is more effective than heating the whole house.
- Shelf-stable food on hand — plus a manual can opener. Don't rely on things that require power or refrigeration.
- Battery packs charged — conserve phone battery early in an outage. Use airplane mode when you're not checking updates.
- Know where to get updates — set up text/email alerts from your utility and bookmark city emergency info before the storm hits.
Stay safe + warm
Cold is manageable. The danger usually comes from unsafe heating or trying to improvise warmth in ways that create fire or carbon monoxide risk.
- Don't heat your home with the oven — it's not designed for it and creates fire and carbon monoxide risk.
- No indoor grills or charcoal — even briefly. Carbon monoxide builds invisibly. Symptoms feel like flu.
- Space heater rules — 3+ feet from anything flammable. Never leave unattended. Turn off when sleeping.
- Layer smart — base layer + mid layer + outer = warmer than one bulky thing. Wool or synthetic over cotton.
- Check on neighbors — especially older adults, anyone with medical equipment, or people living alone.
Austin resources
During storms, the best move is having a small list of truth sources so you're not guessing or doom-scrolling. Set up alerts before the storm hits — not during.
NWS Austin/San Antonio — official forecasts, freeze watches, warnings
City of AustinEmergency info, warming centers, road conditions, boil notices
Austin EnergyOutage map, report outages, sign up for text/email alerts
Austin WaterBoil water notices, pressure advisories, service interruptions
TxDOT Road ConditionsCheck before driving — ice and confidence are a dangerous combination
211 TexasWarming centers, emergency shelters, food and utility assistance
Dealing with a freeze issue — or want to get ahead of one?
If you're dealing with frozen pipes, a leak, heater trouble, or roof issues — or just want local vendor referrals before something breaks — we can help fast.