North Texas Residents Brace for Freezing Temperatures, Burst Pipes

AUBREY, Texas – As freezing temperatures grip North Texas, residents are grappling with burst pipes and water damage across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. CBS News Texas followed plumbers working overtime to assist homeowners, including one family in Denton County who woke up to a flooded closet and bathroom due to a burst pipe.

“Whenever there is an attachment to it, it prevents it from being able to drain,” said Anthony Ladd, a plumber with Baker Brothers Plumbing. “The water turned off here. This section couldn’t drain, and so it popped.” Ladd emphasized the importance of preventive measures, such as dripping faucets, especially those on the home’s exterior, and knowing how to shut off water in an emergency.

Ladd advised homeowners to locate their home’s shut-off valve, which can typically be found in the laundry room, garage, or flower bed. He also recommended disconnecting hoses from outdoor faucets and insulating them to prevent freezing. “Your key things are going to be to disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets and cover them with insulation around them,” he said.

In Houston, residents like Matthew Thompson are taking no chances with the cold front. Thompson, who has been preparing his home since the deadly 2021 winter storm, covered his pipes and plants to protect them from the plummeting temperatures. “The night is when the temperatures are going to drop the most, so that’s when you’re going to want to have them covered,” Thompson said.

Plumber Josh Baker of Josh the Plumber, LLC, noted that while the current cold snap is concerning, pipes in good condition should withstand the freeze. “We don’t really get concerned until we see temperatures 22 °F and below for an extended period, you know, 6 or 8 hours or more,” Baker said. He also warned homeowners to pay attention to sprinkler systems, as plastic components can freeze and crack if not properly drained.

Baker advised residents to drain their sprinkler systems and replace any frozen insulation on pipes to prevent long-term corrosion. “The easiest thing to do for that device would be to turn the valves off that close it and drain it,” he said. With temperatures expected to drop further later this week, plumbers like Ladd and Baker are bracing for a surge in service calls.

For now, the Denton County family caught their burst pipe early, minimizing damage to clothing and shoes. However, as the winter weather intensifies, experts urge homeowners to take proactive steps to protect their properties from costly repairs.