Burst Pipes in a Texas Freeze: Prevent and Respond

Context: the February 2021 winter storm

In February 2021, a severe winter storm brought widespread freezing weather across Texas. Many people lost power for long periods. Statewide, many pipes burst, and boil water notices were issued across the Houston region. Many homeowners in the Katy area and across Texas dealt with frozen or broken plumbing and water damage in ceilings, walls and floors.

The lesson most people took away is simple. Know where your main water shutoff is, and prepare before a freeze, not during one. Freezes are not common here, but they do happen.

How pipes burst

Water expands when it freezes. A pipe usually does not burst where the ice is. The pressure builds between the ice blockage and a closed faucet, and the pipe fails in the section under pressure. The break often goes unnoticed while the pipe is frozen solid. Water starts to flow when the ice melts, and that is when many people discover the damage.

Risk goes up when pipes are:

• In unheated or poorly insulated spaces
• Along exterior walls
• Exposed to cold air through gaps or vents
• Thin-walled or older
• Subject to long periods below freezing, which matters more than a brief dip

Where pipes freeze in Katy-area homes

• The attic. In many homes, supply lines run through the attic, where insulation covers the ceiling below but not the pipes. Attic pipes can freeze quickly, and a break there can bring water through the ceiling.
• Exterior walls. Pipes in outside walls, especially on the north side, are exposed.
• Garages and utility rooms, which are often unheated.
• Outdoor spigots and irrigation lines, including the backflow device and exposed pipes.
• Pool equipment and its plumbing.
• Water heater and its lines in an attic or closet.
• Under-sink cabinets on exterior walls.

Many Katy homes sit on slabs, with supply lines in the attic or walls. Some have lines in or under the slab, which are less exposed to freezing but not immune to other problems. See our slab leak guide.

Before a freeze: prevention

Do these when a freeze is in the forecast.

1. Find your main shutoff valve and make sure it turns. Learn how to close it. Often it is near the street meter or at the front of the house. Put a tag on the valve if you can.
2. Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves or pipe wrap. Seal drafts and gaps where cold air reaches pipes.
3. Disconnect and drain garden hoses. Cover outdoor spigots with insulated covers.
4. Let faucets drip. A slow, steady drip on faucets served by exposed pipes can help keep water moving and relieve pressure. Check local utility guidance, because during widespread freezes high demand can affect system pressure.
5. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warmer room air reaches the pipes.
6. Keep the heat on, even if you are away. Set the thermostat no lower than about 55 degrees, a figure commonly recommended by utilities and safety agencies.
7. Protect irrigation and pool systems according to the manufacturer's directions.
8. If you will be away, ask a friend to check the house, or ask a plumber about shutting off and draining the system.

If the power goes out, you may not be able to keep the house warm. In that case, closing the main shutoff and opening faucets to drain the system is something many homeowners consider. Ask a plumber what makes sense for your home ahead of time.

When a pipe bursts: what to do

Safety first. If water is near electrical outlets, the panel or appliances, do not walk through it. If you can reach the breaker safely without stepping in water, turn off the power to the affected area. If you cannot, stay out and call your electric utility or an electrician. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 or the gas utility. Call 911 for any emergency.

Then:

1. Close the main water shutoff. This stops the supply.
2. Open a faucet or two at the lowest point in the house to help drain remaining water from the lines, once the main is off.
3. Turn off the water heater if the leak is near it or the system is drained. Check with a plumber.
4. Take photos and video before moving things.
5. Move valuables to a dry area and lift furniture off wet floors.
6. Remove standing water if it is safe and the water is clean.
7. Call your insurer to report the loss.
8. Call a plumber to repair the break and a restoration company to dry the house.

For a full hour-by-hour list, see what to do in the first 24 to 48 hours.

Thawing frozen pipes carefully

If a pipe is frozen but you do not see water yet, you may be able to thaw it. Be careful, because a pipe that has already split will leak once it thaws.

• Open the faucet so water and steam can escape as the ice melts.
• Apply gentle heat with a hair dryer or a heating pad, starting near the faucet and working toward the frozen part.
• Never use an open flame, a torch, a space heater left unattended, or a kerosene heater. These start fires and can damage pipes.
• Do not use a high-voltage device such as a welder to thaw pipes. It is dangerous.
• Be ready to close the main if you see water.
• If you cannot find the frozen section or cannot thaw it, call a plumber.

Texas plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.

What restoration involves

Once the water is stopped and the pipe is repaired, a restoration company typically:

• Finds where water traveled, using moisture meters and sometimes thermal imaging
• Extracts standing water
• Removes wet materials that cannot be dried, such as soaked ceiling drywall and insulation
• Sets dehumidifiers and air movers and checks readings daily
• Cleans and treats the area
• Documents the work with photos and moisture logs

Attic breaks often mean wet insulation and wet ceilings throughout the house below. Speed matters. The EPA advises drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to limit mold. See our pages on burst pipe water damage, emergency water removal and water damage restoration in Katy.

If you are searching for how much this can run, read the restoration cost guide. It uses labeled national estimates.

Insurance and documentation

Standard homeowners policies generally cover sudden and accidental water damage, and a pipe that freezes and bursts is a common example. Details vary. Some policies expect you to have taken reasonable steps, such as keeping the heat on. The repair of the pipe itself may not be covered, while the resulting damage may be.

What helps:

• Photos and video of the break and every damaged room
• Notes on the date, time and temperature conditions
• Your plumber's invoice or report
• Records from the restoration company, including moisture readings and drying logs
• Receipts for emergency repairs, equipment, supplies and lodging
• Names and claim numbers for every call

Check your policy, call your insurer and talk with your agent. See our full guide on homeowners insurance and water damage in Texas. The Texas Department of Insurance has consumer information at tdi.texas.gov.

How Katy Water Pros fits in

When a pipe has already burst, you can request help and we work to connect you with an independent local restoration company. The pro's own schedule sets the timing, and the pro gives you their own estimate. After a widespread freeze, many people call at once, so pros may be busy. See how it works or our Katy area page.

Sources

• Texas winter storm of February 2021: general public record of widespread freezing, power outages, burst pipes and boil water notices across Texas and the Houston region
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold and moisture: epa.gov/mold
• Texas Department of Insurance: tdi.texas.gov

This is general information and not professional advice.