Cold-Weather Home Checklist | Kerrville & Boerne, TX

Is your home ready for the first freeze? Prepare your Kerrville or Boerne home for cold weather with furnace, plumbing, and insulation tips from Battalion Home Inspections in the Texas Hill Country.

A heater that will not start is an unpleasant surprise on a cold morning. A leaking pipe or unsafe furnace can be a much bigger problem.

Before colder weather settles in, homeowners in Kerrville, Boerne, and across the Texas Hill Country should take a closer look at their heating equipment—and the parts of the house that help keep warmth inside and water flowing safely.

At Battalion Home Inspections, we encourage homeowners to prepare before a problem becomes an emergency. Here is where to start.

1. Check Your Furnace or Heating System Before You Need It

Do not wait until the first freezing night to find out whether your heater works. Set your thermostat to heat before cold weather arrives and pay attention to unusual noises, repeated shutdowns, weak airflow, or rooms that stay cold.

Check accessible air filters and replace them as needed using the size and type recommended for your equipment. Keep supply registers and return grilles clear of furniture, rugs, and stored items. Restricted airflow can affect comfort and system performance.

Schedule annual maintenance with a qualified HVAC contractor. A service visit can address equipment components that need more than a visual home inspection, including:

• Burners and ignition components: Check proper operation and address ignition failures.

• Heat exchanger: Evaluate for damage using appropriate service methods.

• Blower and controls: Check operation and investigate unusual sounds or cycling.

• Venting and combustion air: Evaluate the exhaust route and the air supply needed for fuel-burning equipment.

• Condensate drains, where installed: Check drainage on equipment that produces condensate.

Homeowners should leave gas adjustments, electrical repairs, and internal equipment testing to qualified professionals.

2. Remember: Not Every Home Has a Gas Furnace

Some homes in Boerne, Kerrville, and nearby Hill Country communities use heat pumps or electric heating systems.

Heat pumps need seasonal attention, too. Keep the outdoor unit free of leaves and debris, maintain the manufacturer's required clearances, and have a qualified technician evaluate persistent icing, poor heating, or abnormal operation. Do not cover a heat pump while it is operating.

During service, ask about the thermostat, outdoor equipment, and auxiliary heat if your system has it. Knowing what equipment heats your home helps you recognize when it needs attention.

3. Check Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Fuel-Burning Equipment

Fuel-burning furnaces, fireplaces, and water heaters deserve particular attention before heating season. Problems with combustion or venting can create a carbon monoxide hazard.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms according to their instructions, check their replacement dates, and follow manufacturer guidance for placement. An alarm is an additional safeguard; it does not replace professional equipment maintenance.

If a carbon monoxide alarm activates, leave the home and call 911 from outside. If you smell gas, leave immediately, avoid operating switches or creating sparks, and call the gas utility or 911 from a safe location.

4. Protect Exposed Plumbing Before a Freeze

Cold-weather preparation in the Texas Hill Country should include plumbing in garages, attics, crawl spaces, exterior walls, and outdoor areas.

Disconnect garden hoses, protect outdoor faucets, and insulate vulnerable exposed pipes. Locate your main water shutoff and make sure you know how to use it before a leak occurs.

During severe cold, open sink cabinets where needed to let warm indoor air reach plumbing, keeping household chemicals away from children and pets. For vulnerable pipes, follow local utility guidance about allowing a faucet to drip. Keep indoor heat consistent; if leaving home, the American Red Cross recommends setting it no lower than 55°F.

Insulation reduces risk, but it does not guarantee that pipes cannot freeze. If you suspect frozen plumbing, contact a plumber. Never use an open flame to thaw a pipe.

5. Look for Drafts Around Windows and Doors

A drafty house can make your heating system work harder while leaving rooms uncomfortable.

Check worn weatherstripping, damaged door sweeps, and gaps around window and door frames. Repair or seal appropriate gaps using materials suited to the location.

Do not seal intentional drainage openings, combustion-air openings, or required ventilation. If you are unsure what an opening does, have it evaluated before covering it.

6. Check Attic Insulation and Ductwork

Missing or displaced insulation can reduce comfort during colder weather. Accessible attic areas may also reveal disconnected ducts, damaged duct insulation, or gaps around the attic access.

These conditions are worth evaluating, especially if some rooms are much colder than others. Keep insulation away from equipment and venting where clearance is required, and do not block attic ventilation.

Avoid entering an attic without safe access and footing. A professional can evaluate accessible conditions and recommend further assessment where needed.

7. Prepare Fireplaces, Roofs, and Drainage

Before using a fireplace or wood stove, arrange an appropriate professional inspection and cleaning. Have damaged components, venting concerns, or obstructions addressed before use.

From the ground, look for roof damage, loose flashing, clogged gutters, and drainage problems. Winter rain can expose existing leaks, and neglected drainage can direct water toward the home.

Staining on a ceiling or wall deserves attention even if it appears dry during your check. Identifying the source early may help prevent further damage.

8. Include Outdoor Equipment in Your Freeze Plan

Hill Country properties may have irrigation systems, pools, wells, water softeners, and exterior plumbing that need specific freeze protection.

Follow manufacturer instructions and ask the appropriate service professional about winter preparation. Irrigation backflow assemblies and exposed well components can be particularly vulnerable. Pool freeze-protection features may depend on power and proper operation.

Prepare before a freeze warning so you have time to address damaged insulation or equipment that needs service.

How a Home Inspection Can Help

A home inspection can identify visible concerns involving accessible heating equipment, plumbing, insulation, ductwork, roofing, and other components within the inspection scope.

It does not replace an HVAC tune-up, certify every internal furnace component, or guarantee that a home will withstand a freeze. It can provide a clearer picture of observed conditions and help you decide which repairs or specialist evaluations to prioritize.

Whether you are buying a home in Kerrville, scheduling a residential inspection in Boerne, or planning an 11-month warranty inspection elsewhere in the Texas Hill Country, seasonal preparation is a good reason to pay attention to the systems you rely on.

Prepare Now—Stay Comfortable When Temperatures Drop

A little preparation now can help you avoid discovering a problem when you need your heater most. Start with heating maintenance, check vulnerable plumbing, and address visible concerns around the house.

Battalion Home Inspections serves Kerrville, Boerne, and communities throughout the Texas Hill Country with residential resale, new construction phase, and 11-month warranty inspections.

Request a free home inspection quote or call/text 210-421-3532.

Battalion Home Inspections — We Inspect to Protect.

Helpful Resources

• U.S. Department of Energy: Home Energy Checklist

• U.S. Department of Energy: HVAC Filters

• CPSC: Home Heating Equipment

• American Red Cross: Frozen Pipe Prevention