Immediate Action: Do This Now
- Find the frozen section if you can: usually the faucet farthest from the main, or lines in exterior walls, attics, or the garage.
- Leave the affected faucet open so melting water can escape and relieve pressure.
- Warm the area gently with a hair dryer, space heater kept away from anything flammable, or warm towels. Never use a torch or open flame.
- Know where your main shutoff is in case a pipe bursts as it thaws.
- If you find a split or water is leaking, close the main and request emergency help.
What Causes Frozen Pipes?
Water expands about 9% as it freezes, which builds pressure between the ice and a closed faucet until something gives.
Exposed locations
Attic lines, exterior walls, crawlspaces, and unheated garages common in North Texas construction.
Little insulation
Many Dallas homes were not built with hard freezes in mind.
Power outages
Loss of heat during extended freezes, as in 2021.
Outdoor fixtures
Hose bibs, irrigation backflow devices, and pool equipment.
How Serious Is Frozen Pipes?
A frozen pipe is urgent because it can burst, often when it thaws, and the leak may be hidden in a wall or attic. If you have no water and temperatures are well below freezing, assume something is frozen.
What Should You Do Before the Plumber Arrives?
- Keep cabinet doors under sinks open to let warm air in.
- Let a trickle run at faucets on exterior walls during the freeze.
- Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor hose bibs.
- Watch ceilings and walls for stains as things warm up.
Can It Be Repaired or Does It Need Replacement?
A pipe that thaws without damage needs no repair, though insulating it is wise. A split pipe is cut out and replaced. Lines that freeze repeatedly in an exposed spot can be rerouted or protected. See pipe repair and our Dallas freeze prep guide.
How Much Can Emergency Frozen Pipe Repair Cost?
Emergency and after-hours visits typically cost more than scheduled work, and the total depends on what failed and how hard it is to reach. We do not publish a price for this specific repair. See emergency plumber cost for published ranges with linked sources, and ask before work starts whether there is a dispatch or after-hours fee and whether it is credited toward the repair.
Related Problems
FAQs
Should I drip faucets during a freeze?
Dripping faucets on exterior walls helps relieve pressure and keeps water moving.
How do I know if a frozen pipe burst?
Often you do not until it thaws. Watch for water stains, sounds of running water, or a meter that keeps moving.
Shut off the water first if you can, then request emergency help.