After it snows in houston

Snow in Houston is a rare event, but when it happens, it can catch homeowners off guard. The last time Houston saw more than four inches of snow was on February 12, 1960, when parts of the city were blanketed in up to 4.4 inches. While beautiful, snow can cause unexpected damage to homes, so it’s important to take proactive steps to protect your property.

Here are a list of steps you might consider to check for damage to your home. 

1. While there’s still snow, get up in that attic with a flashlight. Look for dark spots on the wood or any wet insulation. Houston homes aren’t built for snow, so this is crucial. If you see frost up there, you’ve got ventilation issues that need fixing.

2. Those fancy stucco walls we love in Houston? Run your hand along them once the snow melts. Any cracks or bubbling needs immediate attention – our soil movement plus freeze/thaw can make small issues bigger fast.

3. Here’s a Texas-specific tip: check those PEX pipes in your attic (most Houston homes built in the last 15 years have them). Even if they didn’t burst during the freeze, they might have stretched and could leak later.

4. Our Houston landscaping isn’t snow-ready. Those tall palm trees and crepe myrtles might have split or cracked. Look for any leaning toward your house – they can fall weeks after the snow when the ground softens up.

Pro tip: Check your weep holes (those little gaps in the brick at the bottom of your walls). Make sure they’re not clogged with ice or debris. This is super important in Houston because when that snow melts, it needs somewhere to go.

5. Houston foundations can shift after a freeze/thaw cycle. Walk every room and look for new cracks in the drywall, especially over doors and windows. Mark them with a pencil and date to monitor movement.

6. Last thing: check your roof from the street with binoculars. Composite shingles can curl up after freezing – it’s not an emergency, but worth noting for your spring maintenance list.

Remember, Houston homes are built for heat, not snow – so being extra vigilant after a rare snow event can save you thousands in repairs later!