How to Prevent Frozen Pipes During Texas Winter Weather

Texas winters are unpredictable. A week of mild temperatures can be followed by a sudden hard freeze that catches homeowners off guard. North Texas homes aren't built with the same cold-weather plumbing protections as homes in Minnesota or Michigan — and that means pipes here are more vulnerable to freezing when temperatures drop sharply. Here's what you need to know before the next cold snap.

Why Frozen Pipes Are a Serious Problem

When water freezes, it expands by about 9%. In a rigid pipe, that expansion creates pressure — sometimes exceeding 2,000 PSI — that can split the pipe open. A burst pipe doesn't leak while the water inside is frozen. It leaks when the ice thaws and water starts flowing again. By that point, the homeowner who didn't know the pipe had frozen may return home to a serious flooding situation.

The February 2021 winter storm (Winter Storm Uri) that affected much of Texas demonstrated this vulnerability dramatically. Hundreds of thousands of Texas homes experienced burst pipes — many in attics and exterior walls where pipes had never been properly insulated because historical temperatures had never required it.

Where Pipes Are Most Vulnerable in North Texas Homes

• Pipes in exterior walls — walls facing north or west with minimal insulation are at higher risk
• Pipes in attics — attic temperatures can drop well below freezing during hard freezes
• Pipes in unheated garages — particularly where a water softener, hose bib, or laundry connections are located
• Outdoor hose bibs — these are the most commonly frozen fixture in Texas homes
• Pipes under raised homes or in unconditioned crawlspaces
• The few feet of pipe between an exterior wall and the first fixture inside

Prevention Steps Before a Freeze

Disconnect and Drain Hoses

Connected garden hoses trap water at the hose bib and can prevent the vacuum-break mechanism from working properly. Always disconnect hoses before freezing weather and drain the bib. If your hose bibs are not frost-proof models, consider having frost-proof bibs installed before the next cold season.

Insulate Vulnerable Pipes

Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and easy to install. Focus on pipes in unheated areas: attic, garage, exterior walls. For areas where temperatures are expected to drop very low, heat tape or heat cable (a self-regulating electrical heating element wrapped around the pipe) provides active protection.

Keep the Heat On

If you're leaving for an extended period during cold weather, don't turn the heat off — set it to at least 55°F. The interior temperature is the primary protection for pipes inside the home. Turning the heat off in a Texas home during a hard freeze is a significant risk.

Know Where Your Shutoff Is

Before any freeze, locate your main water shutoff valve. If a pipe bursts after a freeze, you'll need to shut off water immediately. Knowing exactly where the valve is — and that it works — could prevent thousands of dollars in water damage.

Open Cabinet Doors on Cold Nights

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets on exterior walls hide pipes that are only separated from outdoor temperatures by the cabinet and exterior wall. On very cold nights, opening these cabinet doors allows warm interior air to circulate around the pipes.

What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

If you turn on a faucet during or after a freeze and get no water (or a trickle), a pipe may be frozen. Do not attempt to thaw it with an open flame or high-heat source — this is a fire risk. Use a hair dryer, space heater directed at the pipe (with distance), or heating pad wrapped around the pipe. Work from the faucet end back toward the frozen section.

More importantly: shut off the main water valve before the thaw. A pipe that froze may have a crack that isn't visible until water pressure is restored. Shutting off the water first means you control when and how you discover a burst — and can get help before flooding starts.

If you suspect a burst pipe or have a plumbing emergency after a freeze, call +1 (972) 544-6460 immediately.