Key takeaways
- Pipes in exterior walls, attics, garages, and crawl spaces are most at risk in a freeze.
- Drip faucets, open cabinet doors, and keep the heat on during hard freezes.
- Never thaw a pipe with an open flame.
- If a pipe bursts, shut off the main first, then drain the lines.
Why pipes burst
When water freezes it expands. In a pipe, that builds pressure between the ice blockage and a closed faucet, and the pipe can split, often somewhere other than where the ice is. Many bursts are discovered when temperatures rise and the ice melts, and water starts flowing through the break.
Oklahoma doesn't freeze every week of winter, which can make homeowners less prepared when an arctic cold snap does arrive. Severe winter storms have caused widespread burst pipes across the state, including the February 2021 storm.
Where to look for vulnerable pipes
- Supply lines in exterior walls, especially under kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls
- Pipes in attics, garages, and crawl spaces
- Outdoor hose bibs (spigots) and irrigation lines
- Lines near foundation vents or gaps in insulation
Before a hard freeze
- Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor spigots.
- Let faucets on exterior walls drip slightly, both hot and cold if it's a mixing faucet.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air can reach the pipes.
- Keep the thermostat steady, day and night. Don't set it very low if you're leaving.
- Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through the garage.
- Insulate exposed pipes with foam pipe sleeves.
- Know where your main shutoff is.
If a pipe is frozen but not burst
- Open the faucet it feeds so melting water can flow.
- Apply gentle heat: a hair dryer, a heating pad, or warm towels. Start near the faucet and work back.
- Never use a torch, open flame, or propane heater.
- If you can't find the frozen section or can't reach it, call a licensed plumber.
Watch for the thaw
A frozen pipe may already be cracked. As it thaws, watch it closely and be ready to shut off the main.
The first minutes after a burst
- Shut off the main water valve.
- Open the lowest faucet in the house to drain remaining water.
- If water is near light fixtures or outlets, shut off that circuit at the breaker from a dry location.
- Call a licensed plumber.
- Take photos of the break and the damage.
- Start removing water and moving belongings.
Water from a burst pipe often runs inside walls and ceilings. See our page on burst pipe cleanup for how hidden moisture is found and dried.
Related questions
What should I do after a burst pipe?
Shut off the main water valve, open a low faucet to drain the lines, avoid electrical hazards, call a plumber, and document the damage. Then arrange water removal and drying, including checks inside walls.
Should I leave faucets dripping during a freeze?
A slow drip on faucets fed by vulnerable pipes can help relieve pressure and keep water moving. Follow any guidance from your water utility about conservation during extreme events.
This guide is general information, not professional, insurance, or legal advice. Conditions in every home differ.