What should I do if my pipes are frozen but have not leaked?
Open the affected tap, shut off the main so a hidden split cannot flood when the ice melts, and warm the area gently with household heat. Never use an open flame. Call a plumber if the line is inside a wall, and call (833) 490-5225 once water starts to leak.
Keep cabinet doors under sinks open so warm room air reaches the pipes. A hair dryer on low, held away from wet surfaces, can thaw an exposed section, but stand on a dry floor and never use a torch or heater with an open flame near a pipe.
If you thaw a pipe and find a split, close the main before it fully melts. A split opens as the ice melts, and a few minutes at the valve saves the ceiling.
Why do pipes freeze in North Texas when winters are mild?
Most winters bring only a few hard-freeze nights, and homes here are built for heat rather than cold, with supply lines in attics, garages and exterior walls. A short, deep freeze can reach those pipes before owners think to protect them. Average temperatures hide the nights that matter.
Climate summaries for the Terrell area show roughly 40 to 50 frost days a year, and snow of about an inch. That reads as mild, but a single night well below freezing, especially with wind, is enough to split an unprotected line.
The February 2021 winter storm, February 13 to 17, showed the extreme: at DFW Airport the temperature dropped to minus 2 F on February 16 and stayed at or below freezing for 139 consecutive hours. The North Texas Municipal Water District asked customers to cut non-essential use. Water systems statewide struggled, with boil-water advisories in many places.
How do I prevent frozen pipes before a cold snap?
Disconnect hoses, cover outdoor faucets, insulate exposed lines in attics and garages, open cabinet doors and let a tap drip on the coldest nights. Know where your main valve is. If you leave home, keep the heat set above 55 F and have someone check the house.
Pay special attention to farm and rural properties. Well houses, pump sheds, stock-tank lines and barn faucets are frequent culprits, because they are outside the main house and often unheated. A small heat source rated for the purpose, installed by a qualified person, is safer than improvising.
The guide to frozen and burst pipes in North Texas goes into more detail, including a seasonal calendar.
Will insurance cover frozen pipe damage?
A standard homeowners policy often covers sudden and accidental water damage, which may include a frozen line that splits, though it may exclude damage if the home was left unheated or the owner did not take reasonable care. Your insurer decides, so read your policy and ask your agent.
Photograph the pipe, the leak and the damaged areas before cleanup starts. The crew can supply moisture readings and photos to go with them.
Mold sometimes follows a leak that ran for a while, even after the area dries. If you notice a musty smell or discoloration later, a mold inspection is the right next step, and Texas licenses mold assessors and remediators separately.
