Texas pipes burst in winter because DFW homes were built for heat tolerance, not cold protection — garage pipes, attic supply lines, and pipes on exterior walls often have no insulation. When temperatures drop below 20°F, unprotected copper freezes within hours. Pre-season insulation prevents the damage.
The 2021 winter storm in DFW caused more water damage than any event in the region's recorded history. Most of it came from burst pipes in homes that had never experienced sustained below-freezing temperatures. Understanding why helps prevent a repeat.
Why Texas Homes Are Vulnerable
Northern states build with pipe insulation as a baseline because cold winters are guaranteed. Texas builds for heat: pipes often run through uninsulated attic spaces, unheated garages, and on exterior walls with minimal insulation behind them. This works fine for the occasional freeze that lasts a few hours. It fails during sustained cold snaps where overnight temperatures stay in the single digits or teens for multiple days.
How Freezing Happens
Water expands approximately 9% when it freezes. A copper pipe full of water has nowhere to accommodate that expansion — pressure builds until the pipe wall cracks or a joint fails. The burst often doesn't appear until the pipe thaws, which is when homeowners discover the damage.
What to Do Before a Freeze
Know where your main shutoff is. Insulate pipes in unheated spaces with foam pipe insulation — a $20 investment per pipe run. Let faucets on exterior walls drip at 1–2 drops per second during sustained below-freezing temperatures. Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets.
If Pipes Freeze
Don't run hot water through a frozen pipe — the temperature differential can crack it. Apply gentle heat with a hair dryer, working from the faucet end toward the frozen section. If the pipe has already burst, shut off the main water supply immediately and call Staggs Plumbing at 682-284-0966.
