Protecting Your Central Florida Home From Late Winter Frost

Why February Matters in Central Florida

If you've been in The Villages or Lady Lake for more than a season, you know that February can surprise us. While we're generally blessed with mild winters, cold snaps do roll through—sometimes several in a single month. Last year, temperatures dipped into the 20s across Fruitland Park and Leesburg. If your home sits empty during these events, that's when real damage happens.

Unlike northern homeowners who winterize in October, we in Central Florida often get complacent. Our homes aren't built for sustained freezes. Pipes aren't as deeply buried. Landscapes are chosen for warmth. A single night of hard frost can cost thousands in repairs if you're not watching.

The Pipes Problem

This is the most common issue we see. Exposed pipes under homes, in crawl spaces, or along exterior walls freeze solid. Water expands as it freezes, and something has to give. Usually it's your pipe.

What to Check Now

• Identify any exposed pipes beneath your home or on the exterior
• Look under kitchen and bathroom sinks for uninsulated pipes against outside walls
• Check hose bibs and the lines connected to them
• Inspect any irrigation system components that aren't buried deep enough

If you find exposed pipes, wrapping them with pipe insulation (available at any hardware store in Wildwood or Mount Dora) takes 20 minutes and costs under $20. Dripping faucets slowly overnight during a freeze also helps—moving water is less likely to freeze solid.

Your Landscape and Pool

Tender plants like hibiscus, bougainvillea, and some of our favorite tropical specimens can suffer or die in a hard freeze. If your home is seasonal, you might miss the warning signs until spring arrives and nothing blooms.

Keep frost cloths or old blankets handy if you have prized plantings. Cover them when the National Weather Service issues a frost advisory—not the morning after.

For pools, a freeze itself won't damage the structure, but it can damage equipment. If you're away, make sure your equipment runs or that someone can turn it on before a freeze. Frozen pump seals are expensive to replace.

The Inspection Advantage

Here's what we've learned after watching hundreds of homes across Oxford, Leesburg, and The Villages: the homes that escape winter damage are the ones that get checked during freezes. Someone needs to be there—or need to have someone check—when warnings go out.

A home watch service visits your property during weather events, runs faucets, checks for pipe issues, and ensures your equipment is functioning. For seasonal owners in our area, this is particularly valuable during February and early March when cold snaps are most likely.

Your February Checklist

• Subscribe to National Weather Service alerts for your county
• Test all outdoor faucets now while it's warm
• Gather frost cloths and blankets in an accessible location
• Know how to locate your main water shut-off valve
• If you're away, arrange for someone to check your home during freeze warnings

February doesn't last forever, and neither do these cold snaps. But a little preparation now means you'll enjoy the rest of your winter without worrying about what's happening at home.