Preparing Your Southeast Texas Home and Pets for Chilly Days

While Southeast Texas is known for its mild winters, it's not uncommon to experience a few days of chilly weather with temperatures dipping into the 20s. These cold spells might be brief, but they can still present challenges for both your home and your pets. In this blog post, we'll discuss some essential tips on how to protect your home and pets during these cold days in Southeast Texas.

Home Protection Tips:

1. Insulate Vulnerable Areas:

Focus on insulating windows and doors, as these are common sources of heat loss. Use weather stripping or draft stoppers to seal any gaps temporarily.

2. Heating System Check:

Ensure your heating system is in good working order, even if you don't use it frequently. Replace filters if needed and have a professional inspect it if you haven't done so recently.

3. Prevent Freezing Pipes:

While not as common in Southeast Texas, it's still a good idea to insulate exposed pipes and let faucets drip slightly during freezing nights.

4. Emergency Kit:

As the cold days are infrequent, you may not need a full-blown emergency kit. However, it's still wise to have essentials like extra blankets, flashlights, and non-perishable snacks on hand.

5. Protect Delicate Plants:

Cover or bring sensitive plants indoors during the cold spell. Remove snow if it accumulates on branches.

Pet Safety Tips:

1. Indoor Time:

During these chilly days, limit your pets' outdoor time, especially during early mornings and late evenings.

2. Cozy Shelter:

If your pets need to be outdoors, ensure they have access to a dry and insulated shelter with cozy bedding to keep them warm.

3. Paw Protection:

Check your pets' paws for any signs of discomfort from the cold ground. Wash their paws after walks.

4. Monitor for Frostbite:

Keep an eye on your pets for signs of frostbite on ears, nose, and paws. Contact your vet if you notice any issues.

5. Light Layers:

For smaller or short-haired pets, consider dressing them in light sweaters or jackets for added warmth during outdoor activities.

6. Hydration:

Ensure your pets have access to fresh, unfrozen water. Hydration is essential, even during cooler weather.

Protection your pool during a hard freeze!

Run the Pool Pump: Keep your pool pump running continuously during freezing weather. Circulating water is less likely to freeze. Running the pump also helps distribute warmer water from the bottom of the pool to the surface.
Use a Pool Cover: Cover your pool with a pool cover designed for winter use. This helps retain heat and prevents debris from entering the pool. Make sure the cover is properly secured.
Install Freeze Guards: Many pool pumps and filters have freeze protection settings. Ensure these are activated, and your equipment is set to turn on automatically when the temperature drops below freezing.
Add Insulation: If you have exposed pipes or equipment, consider insulating them with pool insulation blankets or foam pipe covers. This helps prevent freezing and damage.
Use Pool Heaters: If you have a pool heater, turn it on to maintain a suitable water temperature. This will help prevent freezing and damage to the pool plumbing.
Keep Skimmers Running: Ensure your pool skimmers and automatic cleaners are operational. This prevents ice from forming on the surface, which can damage skimmers and baskets.
Check Water Chemistry: Maintain proper water chemistry levels. Adjust pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness as needed. Properly balanced water is less likely to freeze.
Remove Snow and Ice: If it snows or ice accumulates on the pool cover, gently remove it with a pool brush or broom. Excess weight can damage the cover and, in extreme cases, the pool itself.
Consult a Professional: If you're unsure about how to winterize your pool or need assistance, consider consulting a pool professional for advice and service.

Remember that Southeast Texas typically experiences only a few days of cold weather, so your preparations can be more straightforward compared to regions with more extended winter seasons. By following these tips, you can make those chilly days more comfortable for your home and pets. Stay cozy and enjoy the brief winter interlude in this beautiful part of Texas!