Burst or frozen pipe: what to do now
Houston does not freeze often, but when it does, pipes in attics, garages and outside walls burst. Here is how to stop the water, thaw a frozen pipe safely, and what insurance usually covers.
Last checked: November 3, 2026. General information, not advice for your property.
If the pipe has burst
- Close the main shut-off valve for the house. Turning the handle a quarter turn (lever valves) or clockwise (round handles) stops the water.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to let water drain out of the pipes.
- Turn off the water heater if the water to the house is off for a while, and follow its manual.
- Keep away from electricity in the wet area. Turn off the breaker for that area only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
- Photograph the damage and the broken pipe before cleanup, then follow the first-hours checklist.
- Call a plumber to repair the pipe, and a restoration company if water reached walls, ceilings or flooring.
If the pipe is frozen but not broken
A frozen pipe often shows as a faucet that gives only a trickle or nothing. Pipes along outside walls, in attics and where the water line comes into the house freeze first. (American Red Cross)
- Keep the faucet open. As the ice melts, running water helps melt the rest. (American Red Cross)
- Warm the pipe with an electric heating pad, a hair dryer, a space heater kept away from anything that can burn, or towels soaked in hot water. (American Red Cross)
- Never use a blowtorch, a kerosene or propane heater, or any open flame. (American Red Cross)
- Check your other faucets. If one pipe froze, others may have too. (American Red Cross)
- If you cannot find or reach the frozen part, or it will not thaw, call a plumber. (American Red Cross)
Before the next freeze
- Let a cold-water faucet drip on nights below freezing. Moving water is less likely to freeze. (American Red Cross)
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors so warm air reaches the pipes. (American Red Cross)
- Keep the thermostat at the same setting day and night. (American Red Cross)
- Wrap exposed pipes in the attic, garage and crawl space with foam pipe sleeves. (American Red Cross)
- Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets.
- Learn where your main shut-off valve is now, before you need it.
Why Houston pipes are at risk
In the February 2021 freeze, Houston spent 44 hours in a row below freezing, and about half of Texans lost running water for an average of 52 hours as pipes and water systems failed. (Fox Weather) Many Houston homes have water lines in attics and outside walls with little insulation, built for heat rather than hard freezes.
Does insurance cover a burst pipe?
The Texas Department of Insurance says most homeowners and renters policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, but not damage from a leak or seepage that went on over time. Read your own policy, because the wording decides. (Texas Department of Insurance) More in Does home insurance cover water damage?
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Questions people ask
What should I do first when a pipe bursts?
Close the main water shut-off valve for the house, open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines, and keep away from electricity in the wet area. Then photograph the damage and call a plumber.
How do I thaw a frozen pipe safely?
Keep the faucet open and warm the pipe with a hair dryer, electric heating pad, space heater kept clear of anything that can burn, or hot wet towels. Never use an open flame. The American Red Cross gives these steps.
Does homeowners insurance in Texas cover a burst pipe?
The Texas Department of Insurance says most homeowners and renters policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, and a pipe that suddenly bursts is the usual example. Slow leaks over time usually are not covered. Check your own policy and report the claim early.
Should I drip faucets in a Houston freeze?
Yes. Letting cold water drip keeps it moving, which makes the pipe less likely to freeze, and opening cabinet doors lets warm air reach pipes under sinks.
Related guides
Houston Water Damage Guide is not a restoration company. We are a free referral directory run by Rank First Labs Ltd. This guide is general information. When water is near electricity, a ceiling is sagging, or the water is from sewage or a flood, keep out and call a professional.