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\nPhoto: Rebecca Silvestri | Local Profile <\/p>\n
With above-freezing temperatures in store for the region, more pipes are likely to rupture<\/p>\n
As North Texas begins to see warmer days, residents might think the worst is behind them, but the thaw brings its own dangers. This morning, during a walk, Local Profile\u2019s publisher noticed water flowing from a neighbor\u2019s house. With no one home, she turned off the main water and then called the fire department, who arrived to check the property and ensure there were no safety risks.<\/p>\n
According to the Plano Fire Department, this was the first call of the day, but as temperatures continue to hover above freezing, more incidents are expected.<\/p>\n
Why Pipes Burst<\/p>\n
When a pipe freezes, the water inside expands as it turns to ice, creating extreme pressure, sometimes over 2,000 psi, which can bulge or rupture the pipe. The results are often costly: repair costs average between $5,000 and $10,000 and can include flooding and loss of water pressure. Unheated areas like attics, crawl spaces and outdoor faucets are particularly vulnerable.<\/p>\n
\nPhoto: Rebecca Silvestri | Local Profile
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State Farm reports<\/a> handling over 20,000 winter water-damage claims from 2024 through June 2025, paying out more than $628 million. Southern states \u2014 including Texas, Tennessee and Oklahoma \u2014 rank among the top ten for winter water damage payouts, in part because builders in warmer climates often place pipes in less protected areas of the home.<\/p>\n Prevention Tips<\/p>\n