How to Prepare Your Home for Freezing Weather in South Louisiana

There’s something about a forecast calling for freezing temperatures in South Louisiana that gets everybody’s attention. We can handle the heat, the humidity, and an afternoon thunderstorm without giving it much thought. But let the weatherman mention a hard freeze, and suddenly we’re all wondering whether we’ve got enough pipe insulation, where we put those faucet covers, and whether we remembered to bring the plants inside.

I suppose that’s what happens when you live somewhere that spends most of the year trying to keep cool rather than stay warm.

Over the years, I’ve learned that cold weather can create some pretty expensive problems for homeowners, especially when our houses aren’t necessarily designed for extended periods of freezing temperatures. A pipe that bursts can cause thousands of dollars in damage, and a power outage during a hard freeze can turn an uncomfortable situation into something much more serious.

In January 2026, as another round of winter weather approached Acadiana, we spent part of our morning making sure our listings and rental properties were prepared. It’s one of those responsibilities that comes with taking care of real estate, and it reminded me how much easier these things are when we take care of them before the temperature starts dropping.

Whether you’ve owned your house for twenty years or you’re experiencing your first South Louisiana freeze as a homeowner, there are a few things worth doing before the cold weather arrives.

Protecting Your Pipes Before a Freeze

If there’s one thing I would encourage every homeowner to pay attention to, it’s the plumbing.

Frozen pipes are a real concern during extended periods of freezing weather, particularly when plumbing is exposed to outside temperatures or located in areas without much insulation. When water freezes inside a pipe, the pressure that develops can cause the pipe to rupture. And sometimes you don’t realize there’s a problem until everything starts thawing.

Start by identifying any exposed plumbing around your home. Outdoor faucets, pipes in unheated spaces, and plumbing along exterior walls deserve particular attention. Insulating vulnerable pipes and using properly fitted outdoor faucet covers can help protect them from the cold.

It’s also a good idea to disconnect garden hoses before freezing weather arrives. A hose left attached can trap water and increase the risk of damage to the faucet or connected plumbing.

Inside the house, opening cabinet doors beneath sinks on exterior walls can allow warmer indoor air to circulate around the pipes. During particularly severe or prolonged freezing conditions, allowing a small amount of water to flow from vulnerable faucets may also help, provided you’re following the recommendations of your local water utility and can do so safely.

One thing I think every homeowner should know is where the main water shutoff valve is located. If a pipe does burst, being able to shut off the water quickly can make an enormous difference in how much damage occurs.

And if you suspect a pipe has frozen, don’t try to thaw it with an open flame. If you’re unsure how to handle the situation, call a licensed plumber.

Keeping the Warm Air Inside

We spend so much time trying to keep our houses cool in South Louisiana that it’s easy to forget about all the places cold air can find its way inside.

A draft around a door or window might not seem like a big deal during an ordinary winter day, but when temperatures stay below freezing, those little gaps can make it harder to keep the house comfortable.

Before cold weather arrives, take a walk through your home and pay attention to any areas where you feel air coming in. Check the weatherstripping around exterior doors, look for gaps around windows, and make sure your heating system is working properly.

If you haven’t used your heater in a while, don’t wait until the coldest night of the year to discover that something isn’t working. Give it a test ahead of time, and have a qualified HVAC professional address any concerns.

You can also help retain warmth by closing curtains or blinds at night and keeping exterior doors closed as much as possible.

None of these things is particularly complicated, but they can make a difference in your comfort and help protect vulnerable areas of your home.

Preparing for the Possibility of Losing Power

One of the things that makes a winter storm different from an ordinary cold front is the possibility of losing electricity.

Ice accumulation can damage trees and power lines, and when temperatures are already dangerously low, being without heat creates additional concerns.

I encourage families to keep flashlights, batteries, portable chargers, blankets, drinking water, and necessary medications somewhere they can access them easily. It’s also worth making sure your phones are charged and that you’ve thought through how you’ll stay informed if the power goes out.

If you have a generator, make sure you understand how to operate it safely before you need it. Portable generators should always be operated outdoors, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust directed away from windows, doors, and vents. Never operate one inside a garage, even with the garage door open.

Carbon monoxide is an especially serious concern during power outages. Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly, and never use a gas stove, charcoal grill, or outdoor heater to warm the inside of your home.

Space heaters deserve attention, too. Keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn, plug them directly into wall outlets, and turn them off when you’re sleeping or leaving the room.

If your home becomes too cold to remain safe, have a plan for getting somewhere warm. Your family’s safety is always more important than trying to stay at the house.

Don’t Forget What’s Outside

When we’re preparing for freezing weather, it’s easy to focus on what’s happening inside the house and overlook the yard.

But there are a few things outside that deserve attention as well.

Bring sensitive potted plants indoors when possible, and protect vulnerable landscaping using appropriate frost coverings. Make sure outdoor faucets are insulated, garden hoses are disconnected, and irrigation equipment is prepared according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

It’s also worth looking at the trees around your property. Branches that are already damaged or weakened may become more dangerous when ice accumulates. If you notice something concerning, have a qualified tree professional evaluate it before severe weather arrives.

And if icy conditions develop, be careful walking around driveways, sidewalks, porches, and steps. We don’t encounter ice very often in Acadiana, and surfaces that look harmless can become slippery in a hurry.

A Little Preparation Can Prevent a Big Headache

I think one of the challenges of homeownership is that there are always things competing for our attention. Between work, family, school, and everything else that fills our calendars, it’s easy to put off maintenance until something forces us to deal with it.

And I understand that. I’ve got my own list of projects around the house that always seems to be waiting on me.

But I’ve also spent enough time helping people buy, sell, and care for homes to know that a little preparation can save a tremendous amount of frustration later.

We can’t control when the next hard freeze will arrive, how long it will last, or whether we’ll lose electricity. What we can do is make sure we’ve taken reasonable steps to protect our homes and the people living in them.

If you’re looking for other projects worth tackling throughout the year, I’ve shared a few ideas in 5 Home Maintenance Tasks You’ve Probably Been Putting Off.

And if you need a plumber, HVAC technician, or someone to help prepare your property for freezing weather, reach out. One of the things I love about real estate is the relationships I’ve built with people throughout Lafayette and Acadiana. I’m always happy to help connect you with someone who may be able to take care of a problem before it becomes a bigger one.

You don’t have to be buying or selling a house to give me a call.

Because the work I do has never been just about helping people get into a home. It’s also about being there when they need a little help taking care of it.

Stay warm, take care of your people, and don’t forget to cover those outside faucets.

Hey Hey, it’s John Ray!