What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze in Austin

Yes, pipes freeze in Texas. Here's how to handle it safely.

I'm Justin Sims, and after Winter Storm Uri in 2021, I spent weeks helping Hill Country homeowners deal with frozen and burst pipes. The damage across Austin was staggering—billions of dollars, all because "it doesn't freeze in Texas."

Except it does. And if you're reading this with no water coming out of your faucets on a cold morning, I'm going to help you figure out what's going on and what to do about it.

Signs Your Pipes Are Frozen

Before we jump into fixes, let's make sure we're dealing with frozen pipes:

• **No water or reduced flow** from one or more faucets
• **Frost visible** on exposed pipes (check your garage, exterior walls, under sinks)
• **Strange smells** coming from drains (frozen blockage can push odors back)
• **Bulging or cracked pipes** (if you see this, the pipe has likely already burst)

If only one fixture is affected, the freeze is probably close to that fixture. If the whole house is without water, the freeze may be at the main line where it enters your home.

What NOT to Do — This Is Critical

I need you to read this section carefully because these mistakes can turn a bad situation into a disaster:

❌ Never Use Open Flame

No blowtorches. No lighters. No candles near pipes. I know it seems like it would work fast, but you're risking a house fire and potentially damaging your pipes beyond repair.

❌ Don't Pour Boiling Water on Pipes

The extreme temperature change can crack the pipe. Warm is good. Boiling is bad.

❌ Don't Use Space Heaters Against Walls

They can overheat wall materials and create fire hazards. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything flammable.

❌ Don't Ignore It

"Maybe it'll thaw on its own" is a gamble. Frozen water expands, and that expansion can burst a pipe. Once it thaws, you've got a flood.

Safe Methods to Thaw Frozen Pipes

Here are the approaches I recommend to my customers:

Method 1: Hair Dryer (Best for Most Situations)

Your trusty hair dryer is actually the perfect pipe-thawing tool:

1. Locate the frozen section (feel for extremely cold spots)
2. Open the faucet the pipe feeds (this relieves pressure as ice melts)
3. Start heating from the faucet end, working toward the frozen section
4. Move the dryer back and forth—don't concentrate heat in one spot
5. Keep the dryer away from standing water

This is slow but safe. Expect 15-30 minutes for a significant freeze.

Method 2: Heat Lamp or Portable Heater

For larger frozen areas or hard-to-reach pipes:

1. Position the heat source 12-18 inches from the pipe
2. Never leave it unattended
3. Check progress every 10-15 minutes

Method 3: Wrap With Hot Towels

Good for pipes under sinks or in tight spaces:

1. Soak towels in hot (not boiling) water
2. Wrap around the frozen section
3. Replace as they cool
4. Repeat until water flows

Method 4: Turn Up the Thermostat and Wait

Sometimes the simplest approach works:

1. Crank your heat up to 75-80°F
2. Open cabinet doors under sinks
3. Open access panels to crawl spaces
4. Let the house warm the pipes naturally

This works best for minor freezes or as a supplement to other methods.

The Burst Pipe Risk: What You Need to Know

Here's the scary truth: a pipe can freeze without bursting, but the danger isn't over until it thaws.

When water freezes, it expands about 9%. This expansion creates enormous pressure in your pipes. Sometimes the pipe holds. Sometimes it cracks or splits—but you won't know until the ice melts and water starts spraying.

Signs a pipe has burst:

• Water spraying or pooling when it shouldn't
• Sudden drop in water pressure
• Water stains appearing on walls or ceilings
• Hissing or rushing water sounds

If you discover a burst pipe, immediately shut off your main water supply (see my guide on "How to Shut Off Your Water") and call a plumber.

Why Austin and the Hill Country Get Caught Off Guard

Here's the thing: our homes aren't built for extreme cold. In Minnesota, plumbing runs through heated interior spaces. In Texas, we've got pipes in exterior walls, uninsulated garages, and crawl spaces with minimal protection.

Add to that our "it doesn't freeze here" mentality, and you get a lot of homeowners who've never thought about pipe protection.

The Hill Country is especially vulnerable:

• Higher elevation means colder temperatures
• Many homes on well water with exposed supply lines
• Older homes may have little or no pipe insulation

Preventing Frozen Pipes Next Time

Once you've survived this freeze, let's make sure it doesn't happen again:

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Foam pipe insulation costs a few dollars and takes minutes to install. Focus on:

• Garage pipes
• Pipes in exterior walls
• Crawl space lines
• Outdoor faucets (use insulated covers)

During Freezing Weather

• **Open cabinet doors** under sinks on exterior walls
• **Let faucets drip** — moving water is harder to freeze
• **Keep heat at 55°F minimum**, even if you're away
• **Disconnect garden hoses** from outdoor spigots

Long-Term Protection

• Add insulation to crawl spaces
• Consider heat tape for vulnerable pipes
• Know your shut-off valve location
• Schedule a winterization service before the cold hits

When to Call a Plumber

Call for professional help if:

• You can't locate the frozen section
• Multiple areas of your home are affected
• You see signs of a burst pipe
• Water doesn't return after thawing attempts
• The frozen section is inside a wall
• You're not comfortable doing this yourself

The Bottom Line

Frozen pipes are stressful, but they're manageable if you stay calm and take the right steps. Don't rush it with dangerous methods—patience and gentle heat will get you through.

And if you've been through a freeze and want to make sure your plumbing is ready for the next one, that's exactly the kind of thing we help with.

**Dealing with frozen pipes right now?** Call (512) 665-0250 — we give a 💩 and we'll get you taken care of.

**Want to prevent this next winter?** Ask about our winterization service.

*Justin Sims is a Master Plumber and owner of SimsCo Mechanical & Plumbing, serving Westlake Hills, Bee Cave, Lake Travis, and Dripping Springs.*