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Prepping for Winter in Texas

Freezing temperatures are forecasted for the DFW! We want to share some best practices for preparing your home, vehicles and swimming pools::

Prepare Your Home

Here are some ways to prepare your home for a winter storm:

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Wrap exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or 2 inches of Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-listed heat tape.

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Caulk cracks and holes in the home’s outer walls and foundation. Holes left by cable installation can also leave pipes exposed.

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Clear rain gutters, repair roof leaks, check your roof to make sure it can handle the extra weight of the snow and ice, and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or neighboring structure.

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Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.

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Consider buying alternative heating resources. All heaters that run on fuel (natural gas, kerosene, butane, oil) should be vented.

 

Prepare Your Vehicle

Consider the following to stay safe in a winter storm:

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Stay off the roads if possible. If trapped in your car, stay inside.

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Create an emergency supply kit for your vehicle. Include matches, a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water,
non-perishable snacks, and a bright cloth to tie to the antenna.

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Store a small broom and a small sack of sand in your vehicle for generating traction under wheels and a set of tire chains or traction mats.

 

Prepare your pool

You have two options:

If you have a freeze guard, and it is working with power running to the pool equipment. Leave the pool equipment running as it is. Many pools have built-in freeze guard that automatically turns on the pump when the outside air reaches a specific temperature.  

If your pool does not have a freeze guard, the freeze guard is not working or you do not trust the power will run through the cold days, you should winterize the pool. To do this, turn off the power to the pool equipment, and remove the drains to the pumps, heater, and filter. You should not run your heater to prevent your pool from freezing; the fact is that doing this during freezing conditions can cause substantial damage to the heater.

Another best practice is to keep pool water filled to the center of the skimmer tile line. If your pool has ice on its surface, break it up to clear the skimmers and skimmer doors. The skimmer doors can be removed if it’s impossible to keep ice out of the way.

Additional tips for your pool can be found here: https://ntxpools.net/blog/f/turning-off-equipment-removing-lids-and-drain-plugs

Prepare you

Staying cozy is essential during our, typically short, but sweet Texas winters. Grab a warm blanket, some hot chocolate, and a good movie, and stay warm- inside! 

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