What the 2021 Texas Freeze Taught North Texas Homeowners
The February 2021 winter storm (Uri) dropped temperatures across North Texas to as low as -2°F and held them below freezing for multiple consecutive days, far outside the range that Texas building codes had historically planned for. Homes across the region suffered burst pipe events concentrated in uninsulated attic pipe runs, pipes in exterior wall cavities, and supply lines in unheated garage and utility spaces. When the pipes thawed, water released through ceilings and walls simultaneously across thousands of homes. The lesson: homes in this region are structurally vulnerable to sustained freeze events in a way that northern-climate homes are not, because they were built without freeze protection as a design requirement.
Which Pipes Are Most Vulnerable in Slab Foundation Homes
In slab-on-grade construction common throughout Keller, the highest-risk pipes are supply lines running through attic spaces with no insulation from exterior cold, supply lines in exterior wall cavities, outdoor hose bibs and irrigation system supply lines, and any pipe in an unheated garage or utility room. Under-slab supply lines are protected by the earth temperature, which stays above freezing, but freeze events can still stress connections where they exit the slab. Frozen attic pipes specifically are common enough that we cover them in detail on our attic water damage page.
Step-by-Step: How to Winterize Your Plumbing
When a freeze watch is issued for North Texas, disconnect and drain garden hoses from all exterior bibs, since water in a connected hose backpressures the bib and can cause it to freeze even when the interior pipe would otherwise survive. Install foam pipe insulation on all accessible pipe runs in attic and garage spaces, available inexpensively at any hardware store. If you have attic pipe runs, running a single incandescent bulb on an extension cord in the attic during the freeze event can provide enough heat to prevent freezing in most cases. Open cabinet doors under all sinks on exterior walls to allow interior heat to reach the pipe.
What to Do When Temperatures Drop Well Below Freezing
At sustained extreme cold, passive insulation may not be sufficient. Let cold-side faucets drip, since even a slow drip keeps water moving through the line and significantly reduces freeze risk. Know where your water shut-off is at the meter before you need it. A pipe that has already frozen but not yet burst will feel dead when you open the faucet, no water flow. If a pipe is frozen, do not apply direct heat with a torch or heat gun. Use a hair dryer on low or warm towels and call a plumber.
If Your Pipe Does Burst: The First Minutes Matter Most
A burst pipe starts a loss that grows by the minute. Cut water at the main shutoff first, typically at the street meter in slab homes. If water has reached electrical outlets or panels, trip the breaker for the affected zone from a dry location before entering the room. Once the water source is stopped, photograph and video every wet area, wall waterline, and damaged material before touching anything. Do not use mops or shop vacs to start cleanup, since they spread water across more surface area and can't extract moisture from wall cavities or framing where mold starts.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Freeze Pipe Damage in Texas?
Yes. Burst pipes caused by freeze events are covered under standard Texas homeowners insurance as sudden and accidental damage. The key documentation requirement is showing the pipe failure was caused by the freeze, not by pre-existing corrosion or gradual deterioration. Your restoration company's moisture assessment report and the plumber's written diagnosis of the failure cause are the two documents that support this. One exception applies: vacancy clauses. If your home was unoccupied for an extended period and the heat was left off, your insurer may argue the freeze damage resulted from homeowner negligence rather than a sudden event. Check your policy's vacancy provision.
The moment you discover a burst pipe, turn off the main water supply. Call us at (817) 553-0400 immediately. Our burst pipe water damage service covers emergency extraction, structural drying, and insurance documentation across Keller, including Bridgewood and every other neighborhood.