DFW Winter Home Checklist: 15 Tasks Before the First Freeze

Winter in the Dallas–Fort Worth area is a strange creature. One day you’re grilling in a T-shirt; the next you’re staring at a sudden freeze warning. The key to avoiding costly repairs is simple: prepare before the first freeze hits.

Here are 15 essential pre-winter tasks every DFW homeowner should knock out early—updated with what Frisco and McKinney emphasize in their cold-weather guidance.

1. Protect Outdoor Faucets (The #1 Freeze Risk in DFW)

Install insulated faucet covers and wrap exposed pipes. A burst hose bib can cause thousands in water damage.

Hire a pro for: insulation upgrades or if your faucet doesn’t fully shut off.

Frisco tip: The city recommends removing hoses, insulating outdoor faucets, and wrapping all exposed pipes in unheated areas before a hard freeze.

McKinney tip: Wrap exterior pipes and faucets with foam or insulating material, and make sure every outdoor hose bib is protected when freezing temperatures are forecast.

2. Disconnect and Drain All Garden Hoses

Water trapped inside can freeze and travel back into your plumbing. Disconnect every hose, drain it, and store it indoors or in the garage.

Frisco & McKinney: Both cities remind residents to remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets before freezing weather to help prevent burst pipes.

3. Check Your Sprinkler System and Backflow Preventer

Shut off the main sprinkler valve and insulate the backflow preventer. Many freeze-related leaks in DFW start here.

Pro help: irrigation technicians can winterize and pressure-test your system.

Frisco tip: During cold snaps, turn irrigation systems off to avoid ice on sidewalks and streets, and protect irrigation backflow devices from freezing.

McKinney tip: The city advises homeowners to turn controllers to the “off” or “rain” setting when freezing weather is expected and to protect above-ground irrigation components.

4. Clean Gutters and Downspouts

Leaves from fall storms clog gutters and freeze, causing ice dams and roof damage. Clear debris so water can flow away from your foundation.

Call a pro if you have a two-story home or steep roofline.

Frisco note: Local home-maintenance guidance for Frisco includes gutter cleaning as a key pre-winter task to reduce leak and foundation issues.

5. Service Your HVAC System

Your heater works harder in sudden temperature drops. A tune-up improves efficiency and helps prevent breakdowns when you need heat the most.

Pro help: HVAC technicians can inspect the system, check safety controls, and verify that your heater is running correctly.

Frisco note: Local property and rental maintenance guides for Frisco stress scheduling a fall HVAC check so systems are ready before the first major cold front.

6. Change to a High-Quality Air Filter

Good filters help keep indoor air clean during closed-window season. Choose an appropriate MERV-rated filter and replace it every 60–90 days, or as recommended by your system.

Frisco note: Along with system checks, Frisco-focused maintenance guides recommend replacing filters regularly in winter to keep efficiency high and energy costs lower.

7. Inspect Weatherstripping Around Doors and Windows

Drafts around doors and windows let in cold air and drive up heating costs. Replace cracked, flattened, or gaps in weatherstripping to make your home more comfortable.

Frisco note: Fall/winter prep advice for Frisco homes often includes inspecting caulking and weatherstripping as an easy way to cut down on heat loss.

8. Seal Cracks Around Exterior Walls

Look for gaps around pipes, vents, and cable entries. Use exterior-grade caulk or foam to seal them and keep warm air in—and pests out.

McKinney tip: The city encourages homeowners to cover or close openings around the foundation and exterior walls, which helps keep cold air, pests, and moisture out in winter.

9. Prep Your Fireplace or Chimney

Gas log sets should be checked for leaks and proper venting. Wood-burning fireplaces need the flue inspected and creosote buildup removed.

Pro help: certified chimney sweeps can reduce fire risk and improve fireplace performance.

North Texas note: Regional fire-safety guidance for North Texas emphasizes annual fireplace and chimney inspections before heavy winter use.

10. Reverse Ceiling Fans

Switch fans to a clockwise rotation on low speed. This gently pushes warm air that rises back down into living spaces, improving comfort and efficiency.

11. Inspect the Roof for Loose Shingles

Wind plus freezing rain is a common DFW winter combo. Loose or missing shingles can lead to leaks during the first ice event.

Hire a roofer to handle anything beyond a quick visual inspection from the ground.

Frisco note: Seasonal home-maintenance checklists for Frisco include roof inspections as part of fall/winter prep to catch small problems before storms hit.

12. Trim Trees Away From the House

Ice accumulation can weigh down branches and send them crashing onto roofs, fences, or vehicles. Trim back limbs that hang over critical areas.

Pro help: arborists can safely remove large or high branches.

Frisco note: Local maintenance guidance recommends trimming trees away from roofs and power lines ahead of storm season to prevent damage and outages.

13. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Heaters, fireplaces, and holiday cooking all increase fire and CO risks. Test alarms, replace batteries, and make sure you have detectors on every level of your home.

North Texas note: Area fire-safety tips for fall and winter highlight alarm testing, along with chimney and dryer-vent cleaning, as simple ways to reduce cold-weather fire risk.

14. Protect Outdoor Plants and Landscape Features

Bring in sensitive container plants, cover beds with frost cloth, and remove dead or dying growth. Check that irrigation around foundations isn’t over- or under-watering during cold snaps.

Garden pros can help identify freeze-sensitive plants and set up a winter care plan.

Frisco note: Local home and landscape guides suggest winterizing irrigation, protecting tender plants during freezes, and adjusting watering schedules when temperatures drop.

15. Prepare an Emergency Kit

North Texas ice storms sometimes knock out power and make roads unsafe. Stock up on blankets, flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food, and backup phone chargers.

Frisco & McKinney: Both cities encourage residents to be ready for severe weather and possible outages with basic emergency supplies and a family plan before winter storms arrive.

When Should You Call a Professional?

Some winter tasks are simple DIY wins. Others deserve expert hands—especially anything involving:

plumbing or irrigation systems (frozen pipes and backflow devices are a common local issue)
HVAC troubleshooting or repairs
roof inspections and repairs
electrical work
chimney or fireplace cleaning
large-tree trimming or removal

Lining these up before the first freeze means you’re not scrambling for help when a freeze warning pops up at the last minute—especially in fast-growing cities like Frisco and McKinney.