Frozen and burst pipes in DFW

Safety first: if there is a gas smell, sparking, or a sagging ceiling, leave the area and call 911 or your utility before anything else.

North Texas does not freeze often, so many homes have pipes in exterior walls, attics, and unheated garages. When a hard freeze lasts, those pipes can split. During Winter Storm Uri, DFW Airport hit −2°F on February 16, 2021, and stayed at or below freezing for 139 consecutive hours (NWS Fort Worth). Many breaks were found only when pipes thawed.

If a pipe just burst

1. Close the main shut-off immediately. Keep a curb-key handy if your valve is in the meter box.
2. Switch off breakers for wet areas only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot.
3. Open faucets to drain the remaining water.
4. Photograph everything, then call a licensed plumber for the pipe.
5. If drywall, insulation, flooring, or cabinets are wet, a restoration contractor can dry the structure.

Before the next freeze

• Learn where your main shut-off is and test it.
• Insulate pipes in attics, garages, and exterior walls; wrap outdoor hose bibs and backflow devices.
• Disconnect garden hoses.
• During a hard freeze, open cabinet doors on exterior walls and let faucets drip, following your water utility's advice.
• If you will be away, ask a plumber about draining the system or setting a safe thermostat temperature.

After the plumber leaves

A fixed pipe does not mean a dry house. Water spreads under flooring and wicks up drywall. Ask for moisture readings before walls are closed or painted.

How our referral works

We are a referral service, not a contractor. When you send a request, we connect you with an independent restoration contractor who serves your city. You contract with and pay that contractor directly, and you are always welcome to choose someone else.

How to check a contractor in Texas

• Texas does not issue a statewide license for general water damage restoration, so ask about training and track record. Many firms train crews to IICRC standards; ask which certifications their technicians hold.
• Plumbing work requires a license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. Look the plumber up before work starts.
• Mold assessment and remediation above a small-area threshold require licenses from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the assessor and remediator on a job generally must be different companies.
• Some cities require registration or permits for certain repairs. Ask whether permits are needed.
• Ask for proof of liability insurance, a written estimate, and a written contract. Read any assignment-of-benefits or direction-to-pay form before you sign.

Related: water damage · slab leaks · frozen pipes · hail and roof leaks · flash floods · mold · guides

Guides: What Winter Storm Uri Taught DFW Homeowners · Hard Freeze Prep Checklist for DFW Homes · Documenting Hail and Storm Damage in North Texas · Clay Soil, Foundations, and Hidden Leaks

Common questions

Who fixes the pipe and who dries the house?

A licensed plumber repairs the pipe. A restoration contractor handles drying and repairs to the structure.

Does insurance cover freeze damage?

Many policies cover sudden bursts but may have conditions, such as keeping the home heated. Ask your insurer.