Essential Guide: Protecting Your North Texas Home for the Upcoming Arctic Blast
With an Arctic air mass arriving January 23, 2026, here's your strategic checklist to protect your North Texas home investment from dangerously cold temperatures and potential pipe bursts.
With an Arctic air mass set to arrive in North Texas this Friday, January 23, 2026, forecasters are warning of a "very impactful winter storm." While this storm is not expected to be as prolonged as the historic 2021 freeze, it will bring dangerously cold temperatures, with wind chills potentially dropping to -10°F.
Storm Timeline: Freezing temperatures are expected to settle into the Metroplex by 6:00 PM Friday and may not rise above freezing for approximately 89 hours, lasting until Tuesday morning.
To help you protect your investment and ensure your family's safety, we have curated the following strategic preparation checklist based on the latest local expert guidance.
💧 Critical Pipe & Water Protection
The most significant risk to North Texas homes during a prolonged freeze is burst pipes.
- Insulate Outdoor Faucets: Use inexpensive foam covers from your local hardware store. If unavailable, wrapping valves in towels is a temporary measure, but not a long-term solution.
- The "Drip" Strategy: For faucets located on external walls, leave them dripping slowly overnight to keep water moving and prevent freezing. Place a sponge or towel in the sink to silence the sound if it becomes an annoyance.
- Open Cabinets: If you are leaving your home, keep cabinet doors open to allow warmer room air to reach pipes on external walls.
- Know Your Main Valve: Ensure every adult in your home knows the exact location of the main water shut-off valve and how to operate it in case a pipe bursts.
🏠 Home Exterior & HVAC Maintenance
- Winterize Windows & Doors: Inspect and replace worn weatherstripping to ensure warm air stays in and cold air stays out.
- Clear Gutters: Ensure gutters are free of debris so water can flow to downspouts, preventing ice dams or water from entering the home.
- Sprinkler Systems: Turn off your irrigation system entirely. Draining the main line and back-flow devices is recommended to prevent dangerous ice patches on streets and burst system valves.
- HVAC Check: Change your air filters and inspect attic ductwork for holes or signs of rodents seeking warmth in your unit.
🐾 Protecting Pets, Plants, and Pools
- Bring Pets Inside: If it is too cold for you, it is too cold for your pets. Ensure any outdoor animals have well-insulated, dry shelters.
- Plant Care: Move perennial potted plants indoors. For larger plants, use landscaping frost blankets or heavy sheets to trap ground heat.
- Pool Pumps: Ensure your pool pump is running continuously. Moving water is much less likely to freeze and burst your pool's plumbing.
🔋 Power & Safety Essentials
- Charge Everything: Ensure your phones and backup battery packs are fully charged before the storm arrives on Friday.
- Battery Check: Replace batteries in your flashlights and ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning perfectly.
Strategic Note: Real estate in North Texas is an investment in your future wealth. Taking these proactive steps today protects your property value and prevents costly emergency repairs.
Need a referral for a trusted local HVAC or plumbing professional? Contact Raven Home Co. today.
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