If a pipe has burst, shut off the main water valve first. Then stay out of any water that reaches outlets, panels or appliances, open the cabinets and move valuables up, and call the 24/7 line. Water damage after a freeze is often hidden in walls and ceilings, so even a small puddle can mean a large wet area behind the drywall.
Pipes often split during the freeze but only leak after the thaw. That can mean you find the damage hours or a day after temperatures rise. The steps below work whether the water is just starting or has been running for a while.
The First Ten Minutes
Do these in order
- Close the main water shutoff, usually near the water meter or where the line enters the house. If you do not know where it is, find it before you need it.
- Open a faucet at the lowest point in the house to drain remaining water from the lines, and one upstairs to break the vacuum.
- If water is near an electrical panel, outlets or a ceiling light fixture, do not touch any switch. Call the utility or 911 for any electrical or gas risk before you call the restoration line.
- Lift furniture, rugs and electronics off wet floors. Move belongings to a dry room.
- Photograph and video the pipe, the water and the damage. Call the 24/7 line.
Why Frozen Pipes Break
Water expands as it freezes. The ice plug does not usually burst the pipe where it forms. Pressure builds between the plug and a closed faucet, and the pipe splits at the weakest point. Pipes on exterior walls, in attics and in unheated garages are the most exposed.
When ice melts, the split opens and water pours out at full supply pressure. Even a small split can run for hours at full supply pressure. That is why shutting off the main matters more than anything else.
Water is still spreading or you need an inspection? Call the 24/7 line and talk to a dispatcher now.
☎ (817) 623-9267How Extraction and Drying Work
Once the water is off and power safety is settled, extraction starts. Pumps and wet vacuums remove standing water. Wet carpet and pad are usually lifted, since pad rarely dries in place. Baseboards are removed to expose wall cavities, and small holes may be cut in drywall so air can circulate.
Air movers and dehumidifiers then dry the structure. Moisture readings are recorded on day one and on each visit, and equipment stays until the readings match a dry reference. If the ceiling below a burst upstairs pipe is wet, it is opened and dried too. Standing water falls under emergency water removal, and the follow-up drying plan is covered under water mitigation.
| Stage | What happens | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Shutoff and safety | Main valve closed, power risks addressed | Stops new water and prevents shock |
| Extraction | Pumps and vacuums remove standing water | Less water means less drying |
| Demolition of wet materials | Pad, baseboard and soaked drywall removed | Wet materials that cannot dry become mold sources |
| Structural drying | Air movers and dehumidifiers run with daily readings | Readings prove the structure is dry |
| Rebuild | Insulation, drywall, flooring and paint replaced | The home returns to normal use |
Document the Loss for Your Insurer
The Texas Department of Insurance says most homeowner and renter policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, with a burst pipe given as an example. It advises you to photograph or video the damage before repairs, keep damaged items until the adjuster has seen them, make temporary repairs to prevent more damage and keep receipts. Hold off on permanent repairs until your insurer has seen the damage.
Save the broken section of pipe in a bag if you can. Write down the time you found the leak and the time you closed the valve. If you are unsure how your policy handles the loss, ask your insurer.
Flower Mound note: what the February 2021 freeze showed
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth recorded a low of minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit at DFW on February 16, 2021. DFW spent 93 hours at or below freezing from February 9 to 13, then 139 hours from February 13 to 19. DFW Airport also had 5.0 inches of snow. The practical lesson is that a long freeze keeps pipes cold for days, so a bare-minimum drip may not be enough.
The 1991 to 2020 normals show DFW averages 29 freezes per season, so a hard freeze is something to plan for rather than a rare surprise. Insulate exposed lines, open cabinet doors under sinks on freezing nights, disconnect hoses and know where your main valve is. If your home sits near Lewisville or Grapevine, the same planning applies.
Cost Factors After a Burst Pipe
No honest number exists until the wet area is measured. The main factors are how long the water ran, how many floors and rooms it reached, the water category, how many drying days the readings require and how much of the structure needs rebuilding. A dispatcher can explain how scope and price are set before work starts.
A call during a freeze may be busy, so call as soon as the main is off. Same-day response is offered when available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Close the main water shutoff, address any electrical risk and move belongings off wet floors. Then call the 24/7 line so extraction and drying can start.
Not long. The TDI warns that mold can start growing within a day after a leak. Starting extraction and drying the same day is the practical goal.
Texas Department of Insurance guidance says most homeowner and renter policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, including a burst pipe. Your policy wording decides, so ask your insurer.
Only if the water is not near outlets, panels or fixtures and the structure is sound. If there is any electrical or gas risk, leave and call the utility or 911 first.
Yes. The line is open 24/7 and same-day response is offered when available. Close the main and call.
Keep the home at a normal temperature but do not rely on the thermostat to dry walls. Measured drying equipment does that faster and with readings.