HOUSTON \u2013 If you turn on the faucet and nothing comes out, there\u2019s a good chance your pipes are frozen. The good news? Frozen doesn\u2019t automatically mean busted, cracked, or broken.<\/p>\n
There are a few things you can do right now to help prevent serious damage.<\/p>\n
Tim Jordan, plumbing service manager with Abacus Plumbing and Air Conditioning and Electrical<\/a>, shared what homeowners should do first.<\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t already, shut off the water to your home as soon as possible. And don\u2019t try to thaw any pipes until you do.<\/p>\n Turning off the main water valve is key. If a pipe does burst, shutting off the water can limit how much damage you end up with because there\u2019s no water feeding the leak.<\/p>\n Before you shut the water off, if you\u2019re able to, try filling up your bathtub. That way, you\u2019ll still have water to flush the toilet by pouring it into the tank, even if your water service is off. (Of course, this only works if water is still flowing.)<\/p>\n Next, turn on a bathtub faucet or the main line coming into the house. This gives water somewhere to go once the pipes start to thaw and helps prevent pressure from building up inside the pipes, pressure that can cause them to break.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your pipes are underground, it\u2019s less likely the pipe itself is broken,\u201d Jordan said. \u201cIt could be a pipe frozen in the attic, for example, like the lines that run to the water heater.\u201d<\/p>\n Should you try to thaw pipes yourself?<\/p>\n You might hear advice about using blow dryers or heating pads to thaw frozen pipes, but Jordan says that\u2019s not recommended.<\/p>\n Letting the pipes thaw on their own as temperatures warm up is actually safer. Trying to thaw them yourself can increase the risk of damage.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen it starts getting warmer, that\u2019s when we usually see more problems,\u201d Jordan said. \u201cAs the pipe thaws, water starts rushing through it, and that pressure can cause the pipe to break.\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, the pressure created by water trapped between ice and a closed faucet is one of the main reasons frozen pipes rupture \u2014 which is another reason shutting off your main water supply is so important.<\/p>\n When should you call a plumber?<\/p>\n If you see visible damage to pipes, water pooling outside your home, or water coming from the ceiling or walls, call a plumber right away.<\/p>\n Just keep in mind, you may have to wait. Jordan says plumbers across the area are extremely busy right now. His advice: get on a waiting list as soon as you can so help comes as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n File an insurance claim as soon as you can<\/p>\n The Texas Department of Insurance<\/a> says most homeowners insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage \u2014 including damage from burst pipes, toilet or tub overflows, or broken appliance hoses.<\/p>\n Many policies also cover water damage caused by storm-related issues, like a damaged roof or window. Coverage varies, so it\u2019s important to review your policy or contact your insurance agent to understand what\u2019s covered. If water damage isn\u2019t included, you may be able to add it. Check here for tips on cleaning up after a pipe burst<\/a>.<\/p>\n Reporting water leaks<\/p>\n