Quick Answer: If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle or nothing comes out during a freeze, you likely have a frozen pipe. Open the faucet to relieve pressure, then apply gentle heat to the suspected frozen section using a hair dryer, heat lamp, or warm towels. NEVER use an open flame. If you cannot locate the frozen section or the pipe has already burst, shut off the main water supply and call a plumber immediately.
North Texas homeowners do not deal with frozen pipes often enough to have a practiced routine, which is exactly why freeze events cause so much damage when they hit. Springtown, Weatherford, Azle, Boyd, and the rural areas throughout Parker and Wise Counties see overnight temperatures below freezing for stretches between December and February, and the rare arctic blasts that push into single digits catch thousands of homes off guard. Knowing what to do during the freeze — before a pipe bursts — is the difference between a thaw and a flood.
How to Tell If Your Pipes Are Frozen
The most obvious sign is reduced or zero water flow from a faucet when the temperature outside is below 32 degrees. Open both the hot and cold handles. If one side flows but the other does not, the frozen section is on the non-flowing supply line. If neither side flows, the freeze may be at the main supply line entering your home.
Other signs include visible frost on exposed pipe in your garage, crawl space, or under sinks on exterior walls. A bulging or distorted section of pipe indicates ice has formed inside and is expanding the pipe walls. If you see a bulge, do not attempt to thaw that section yourself. The pipe has already been stressed to near failure and may burst the moment the ice melts. Call a licensed plumber immediately.
Step 1: Open the Faucet
Before you apply any heat, open the faucet that is not flowing. Both handles — hot and cold. This relieves pressure in the line and gives melting ice somewhere to go. As the freeze thaws, water needs to flow out rather than building pressure against the ice plug from both sides.
Step 2: Locate the Frozen Section
Frozen pipes occur at the most exposed, least insulated points in your plumbing system. Check these locations in order: outdoor hose bibs and spigots, pipes running through unheated garages, pipes inside exterior wall cavities (under kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls), crawl space pipe runs, and the main water supply line where it enters the house through the foundation or exterior wall.
Feel the pipe with your hand. A frozen section will feel significantly colder than the surrounding pipe and may have visible frost or condensation.
Step 3: Thaw Carefully
Apply gentle, indirect heat to the frozen section. Effective methods include a hair dryer on medium heat moved slowly back and forth along the pipe, an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, towels soaked in hot water and draped over the pipe, and a portable space heater placed nearby (not touching the pipe).
Start heating from the faucet end and work backward toward the frozen section. This allows water to flow out through the open faucet as the ice melts, reducing pressure buildup.
NEVER use a propane torch, blowtorch, charcoal grill, or any open flame device to thaw a pipe. Open flames can ignite wall insulation, overheat PVC pipe to the point of melting, and cause rapid expansion that bursts even metal pipe.
When Frozen Becomes Burst
If you discover water spraying, gushing, or pooling anywhere after a freeze, the pipe has already burst. Shut off the main water supply immediately. If you are unsure where your shutoff valve is, our guide to understanding your home’s plumbing system covers shutoff valve locations for different home configurations. Our burst pipe emergency guide walks through the full response process step by step.
For homes in Millsap and rural Wise County on well water systems, the shutoff at the pressure tank or well pump breaker is your fastest option for stopping flow to a burst line.
Preventing Freeze Damage Before the Next Cold Snap
Insulate all exposed pipe in garages, crawl spaces, attics, and exterior wall cavities with foam pipe insulation sleeves. Disconnect and drain all garden hoses before the first freeze. Install frost-proof hose bibs on exterior spigots. On nights below 25 degrees, let a pencil-thin stream of water run from the faucet furthest from the main supply entry — the moving water resists freezing.
Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls to allow warm room air to reach the pipes. If your home has a crawl space, make sure the crawl space vents are closed during freeze events to retain ground heat around the pipe runs.
The National Weather Service Fort Worth office issues freeze warnings and hard freeze warnings that should trigger your preventive actions. Our guide on how cold weather affects your plumbing covers the full seasonal preparation checklist.
SNP Plumbing provides emergency plumber service across Parker County and Wise County 24/7. Contact us immediately if your pipes have frozen or burst.
FAQ
Q: How long does it take for pipes to freeze? A: Uninsulated pipes can begin freezing within 6 to 8 hours of sustained temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. In severe cold (below 20 degrees), freezing can occur in as little as 3 to 4 hours. Wind chill accelerates the process on pipes exposed to outdoor air, such as those in crawl spaces with open vents.
Q: Will frozen pipes always burst? A: Not always, but the risk is high. Ice expands inside the pipe and creates enormous pressure between the ice plug and the closed faucet. If that pressure exceeds the pipe’s strength, it bursts. PEX pipe is more resistant to bursting than copper or galvanized steel because it has some flexibility, but no pipe material is immune to freeze damage.
Q: Can I use a space heater to thaw frozen pipes in my crawl space? A: Yes, but use an electric space heater with a tip-over safety switch, and never leave it unattended. Keep the heater at least 3 feet from any combustible material, including insulation, wood framing, and stored items. Never use a kerosene, propane, or gas-powered heater in an enclosed crawl space due to carbon monoxide risk.
Q: Should I call a plumber for frozen pipes even if they have not burst? A: If you cannot locate the frozen section or if gentle thawing methods are not restoring flow within 30 to 45 minutes, call a plumber. The freeze may be inside a wall cavity or under the slab where DIY methods cannot reach. A plumber can use professional thawing equipment and inspect for damage that may not be visible.
