DALLAS — The cold is coming -- and the countdown to prepare is on. Experts say you need to have everything done by Saturday at 5 p.m.
Most of the tips you've heard before: open the cabinets under the sink to keep the pipes warm, bring potted plants indoors, and cover your outside spigot. But there are some oft-forgotten, critical preparations experts say you should take this weekend before brutal cold hits North Texas.
Stay warm -- safely
Check to make sure the flue is open on your fireplace and if you're using a space heater, keep it away from furniture or blankets that could catch fire.
"The recommendation for generators is to keep them at least 20 feet away from any open doors or windows," said Texas Department of Insurance spokesperson Ben Gonzalez. "Don't put them in the garage -- that's not safe."
Also, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have fresh batteries.
Outside pipes can burst too
Don't forget to check your pool pump and make sure water is moving through your pipes -- or drain them entirely to avoid bursting. The same goes for sprinkler systems.
"Make sure you know how to drain it, go ahead and do that," Gonzalez said. "So that there's no water in the pipes just under the ground that can freeze."
This applies to attics and garages as well, he said. For folks who have a washing machine in the garage, he recommended turning off the water to it entirely. "That's obviously an unheated area," he said.
Not all plant covers are created equal
Gardeners at the Dallas Arboretum completed all their preps earlier in the week, but they say you still have time.
"Looks like there’s a good window tomorrow {Saturday} before the arctic blast hits," Vice President of Gardens Dave Forehand said. His team uses special "frost cloth" to cover the plants, but he says blankets, sheets, or towels work too. Just don't use plastic tarps because they can trap condensation causing water to freeze on the plant's leaves.
Forehand also said to water before the weather gets too cold. "Wet soil doesn’t dry out as fast. It doesn’t get as cold," he said. "So if the soil is moist, it holds in heat which is good for the roots of the plant."
Prepare for the worst
"Now is the time to figure out how to shut off your water in case the pipes do freeze," Gonzalez said. You may want to check your insurance policy too. "Sudden and accidental water coverage is what you're looking for," he explained.
Flood coverage does not cover burst pipes -- and home and renters policies may require you to take "reasonable steps" to avoid pipes bursting or they won't cover damage at all.