When temperatures drop below freezing in Texas, your home’s systems can experience extra stress, especially plumbing, roofing, and exterior features. As everything begins to thaw, it’s important to walk through your home and check for signs of damage. Catching issues early can prevent bigger problems and may also help you identify items that fall under your home warranty coverage.

Here’s a comprehensive Post‑Freeze Warranty Checklist to help you review your home inside and out.

1. Plumbing & Water Lines

Even short freezes can lead to hidden water damage. Walk through your home and check:

• - Turn on all faucets (hot and cold) to confirm normal water flow
• - Listen for unusual sounds inside the walls - hissing or dripping can signal a leak
• - Look under all sinks for drips, moisture, or pooling water
• - Check around toilet bases for unexpected water
• - Inspect the water heater for moisture, dripping, or condensation
• - Examine any exterior exposed pipes for cracks or burst lines
• - Inspect your irrigation system and backflow preventer for cracks or leaking
• - Walk the yard for soggy or unusually soft spots (a sign of an underground line break)
• - Make sure your main water shutoff valve still turns easily

2. Attic & Ceilings

Freeze damage often shows up in the attic first.

• - Look for wet insulation, water stains, or damp areas
• - Check around vent pipes and chimneys for dripping
• - Inspect interior ceilings for new discoloration, sagging, or bubbling
• - Confirm attic plumbing lines and insulation stayed intact and didn’t freeze or burst

3. Interior Walls & Floors

As pipes thaw, moisture may show up in subtle ways.

• - Look for new wall discoloration or bubbling paint
• - Check baseboards for swelling, warping, or separating from the wall
• - Feel carpets for damp areas
• - Look for buckling or raised areas in hardwood or laminate flooring
• - Reset any GFCI outlets that may have tripped during the freeze

4. Exterior of the Home

Walk your home’s exterior perimeter to spot visible damage.

• - Test hose bibs briefly to ensure they run and aren’t cracked
• - Check siding and brick for new cracks caused by freeze expansion
• - Look for gutters that have separated or pulled from the roofline
• -  Inspect downspouts and surrounding areas for icicle or ice‑dam debris
• - Examine roof edges for lifted shingles or freeze‑related warping

5. Roof & Gutters

Your roof takes the brunt of winter weather.

• - Look for missing, loose, or lifted shingles
• - Check for granule piles near the foundation - a sign of shingle wear
• - Ensure gutters haven’t bent or pulled away
• - Make sure downspouts are clear of ice, debris, or blockages

6. Heating System & Vents

Your HVAC system works overtime during a freeze.

• - Confirm your heating system is running normally
• - Pay attention to unusual odors when the heat first comes on
• - Inspect exterior furnace vents for ice buildup
• - Check that your thermostat is reading accurately after extreme temperatures

7. Appliances That Use Water

Small leaks often start here.

• - Run the dishwasher and look underneath for drips
• - Inspect the refrigerator water line for moisture or cracking
• - Run a short wash cycle and check the washing machine hoses

8. Garage & Outdoor Areas

• - Inspect garage walls and ceiling for new water stains
• - Check the sprinkler control box for condensation or moisture damage

9. Foundation & Drainage

• - Look for new cracks or shifting around the foundation
• - Check grading to ensure melting ice didn’t cause erosion or poor drainage

A hard freeze can impact your home in ways that aren’t always visible right away. This checklist can help you catch early warning signs and determine whether any issues might be covered under your warranty. If something looks suspicious or you're unsure, always contact your warranty provider or builder to review next steps.