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While San Antonio isn’t known for blizzards, our sudden “deep freezes” can wreak havoc on homes. Frigid temperatures and ice aren’t just uncomfortable—they are serious liability risks that can lead to expensive water damage claims.
Most standard homeowners’ policies cover damages from a freeze, but being proactive is the best way to protect your family. Here is your EcoClean guide to winterizing your home, inside and out.
🏔️ Outside the Home: Protecting Your Perimeter
Ice and freezing rain can cause structural damage before you even realize it. Take these steps before the temperature drops:
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Clear the Gutters: Debris-filled gutters cause “ice dams.” When water can’t flow through the downspout, it backs up and seeps into your attic or walls.
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Safety First: Keep sidewalks and entryways clear of ice to prevent slips and falls.
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Pool Care: If you have a swimming pool, run your pump overnight when temperatures are expected to drop below freezing. Moving water is much harder to freeze!
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Garage Security: Keep garage doors closed. This acts as an extra layer of insulation for the interior walls and any plumbing running through the garage.
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Trim the Trees: Identify dead or damaged branches. The weight of ice or high winter winds can bring them down on your roof or power lines.
🏠 Inside the Home: Preventing Burst Pipes
The most common winter disaster we see at EcoClean is the dreaded burst pipe. Since many Texas pipes are located in exterior walls, they are more vulnerable to the cold.
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The 65-Degree Rule: Keep your thermostat set to at least 65 degrees. Even if the room feels warm, the air inside the walls where the pipes live is significantly colder.
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Drip the Faucets: Open both hot and cold faucets just enough to allow a slow, steady drip. This relieves pressure and keeps water moving, which prevents freezing.
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Know Your Shutoff: Re-familiarize yourself with the location of your main water shutoff valve. If a pipe bursts, every second counts.
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The Buddy System: If you’re traveling for the holidays, have a trusted neighbor check your house daily. Quick detection is the difference between a small mop-up and a total home restoration.
🚨 If a Winter Emergency Happens: Act Fast
Despite your best efforts, sometimes “life happens.” If you encounter a freeze, follow these steps:
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Thaw Frozen Pipes Immediately: If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, your pipes are likely frozen. Use a hair dryer or space heater (carefully!) to thaw them, or call a plumber immediately. Frozen pipes become burst pipes.
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Turn Off the Water: If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve immediately to stop the flooding.
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Call EcoClean (210-540-2043): Once the water is off, we arrive 24/7 to extract the water and begin the professional drying (mitigation) process.
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Prevent Mold: Professional drying is the only way to ensure moisture isn’t trapped in your subfloors or drywall, which leads to mold problems down the road.
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Notify Insurance: Call your agent right away to start your claim.
Your Helping Hand in the Cold
At EcoClean, we have over 15 years of experience helping San Antonio homeowners get their lives back on track after a winter disaster. We are IICRC certified and ready to respond 24/7.
📞 Stay safe this winter! For emergency service, call: (210) 540-2043
