Pipes burst in winter when water inside them freezes into an ice blockage and the ice keeps growing, squeezing the trapped water between the blockage and a closed faucet until the pressure splits the pipe. The break usually happens where little or no ice has formed. Pipes in exterior walls, attics, crawl spaces, garages and outdoor lines are the most exposed.
The crack is only half the problem. A split pipe often does not leak until the ice thaws, and that is when burst pipe water damage starts: inside the walls, under the floors and through the ceiling below.
Why Do Pipes Burst in Winter? The Pressure, Not the Ice
Most people picture ice swelling and pushing the pipe apart. The research says otherwise. A 1996 study by the University of Illinois Building Research Council, sponsored by the Insurance Institute for Property Loss Reduction (the forerunner of today’s Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, IBHS), found that “a commonly held view, that ice growth simply pushes against pipe walls, is not correct.” Once ice blocks the pipe, “further ice growth applies dangerously high pressures to a confined water volume.”
In plain terms, the ice acts like a plug. Water between the plug and a closed faucet has nowhere to go, and as more ice forms, the pressure on that trapped water climbs until the weakest point gives way. IBHS consumer guidance built on the same research puts it simply: “Usually the pipe bursts where little or no ice has formed.” That is why a pipe can split in a section that never felt frozen.
It also explains why El Paso Water advises letting cold water drip, in severe cold, from faucets served by exposed pipes. An open faucet gives the trapped water somewhere to go.
How Cold Does It Have to Get for Pipes to Freeze?
For homes in southern climates, the commonly used “temperature alert threshold” is 20°F. It comes from University of Illinois field tests in which uninsulated pipes in an unconditioned attic began freezing when the outside temperature fell to 20°F or below. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension uses the same figure. A survey of 71 plumbers in southern states found burst-pipe problems began to appear when temperatures fell into the teens.
How long the cold lasts matters too. A single night just below freezing is a different event from several days that never warm up, which is what El Paso saw in 2011.
Where Frozen Pipes Fail First
Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are vulnerable, according to IBHS, especially where cracks or openings let cold outside air flow across them. Texas A&M AgriLife adds outdoor spigots, pool and sprinkler supply lines, and pipes in garages and along poorly insulated exterior walls. In El Paso, watch:
- Supply lines in exterior walls, including those behind sinks on outside walls.
- Pipes in the attic, garage or crawl space, where there is no heat.
- Outdoor hose bibs, sprinkler lines and pool lines.
- Backflow preventers. El Paso Water has pointed out that commercial properties often have them exposed and that covers are available.
- Any water line that runs outdoors, including the supply line to a rooftop evaporative cooler.
Hot water lines are not immune. El Paso Water notes that a hot water supply line can freeze if water is not moving through it. Pipe material changes the odds but not the rule: plastic pipe such as PEX may buy a little time compared with copper, but it is not freeze-proof.
Why El Paso Homes Get Caught Off Guard
El Paso is known for heat, but freezes arrive on a fairly regular calendar. National Weather Service data for 1991-2020 put El Paso’s average first freeze on November 15 and its average first hard freeze (28°F or below) on November 24, with the last freeze around March 6.
The freeze that shows what is at stake came in February 2011. The National Weather Service recorded 78 consecutive hours below freezing, and on February 2 El Paso set an all-time record for its coldest high temperature, 15°F. The El Paso Times reported that on February 5 city workers fielded 1,200 to 1,300 calls about broken pipes and gushing water, and the Insurance Council of Texas said about 5,000 claims had been filed in the city, with totals expected to exceed $10 million. City staff later estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 homes were affected in some way.
Afterward, city staff proposed plumbing rules for new construction: water service entrances on the heated side of the house, plumbing insulated or placed near heat, exterior lines at least 6 inches below the frost line, and PEX encouraged. Those proposals would have applied only to new permits, so many existing homes were built before that freeze changed the conversation. For more on local conditions, see weather and water damage in El Paso.
The February 2021 freeze that crippled much of Texas played out differently here. El Paso Electric is not part of the power grid that serves most of the state, and the utility told local media that about 3,000 customers lost power, many for only minutes. For El Paso homes, 2011 is the better reference point.
The Freeze Breaks It, the Thaw Floods It.
A pipe that splits while frozen often does not leak right away, because ice is still holding the water back. Texas A&M AgriLife puts it plainly: “The frozen pipe may already be broken, and it will leak when the water is thawed.” Forensic engineers at Envista note the same pattern in claims: the rupture is often not detected until the ice inside thaws.
So the dangerous moment is often not the coldest hour of the night. It is later, when temperatures climb and water starts moving again, sometimes after everyone has left for work. In a pipe inside a wall, the first sign may be a stain on the ceiling or drywall below.
After a hard freeze, know where your shutoff is before the thaw. El Paso Water says the meter is most commonly out in front of the house at the curb, and that turning the valve 90 degrees shuts the water off. Then watch ceilings, walls and the cabinets under sinks as the day warms. If water appears, here is what to do immediately after water damage.
Leaving town during a cold snap is the riskiest version of this, because a pipe can split overnight and run all day before anyone notices. El Paso Water’s advice before a winter trip is to shut off the water at the meter or ask someone to check on the house.
What Happens When a Burst Pipe Floods the House
Supply lines are under pressure, so a split line keeps flowing until someone shuts it off. The water soaks into insulation, drywall, flooring and cabinets, and the longer it sits, the more material may need to be removed rather than dried. Read how long it takes for water to damage walls for the details.
EPA guidance is to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours; in most cases mold will not grow if they are dried in that window. A wall can feel dry on the surface while the cavity behind it is still wet, which is why we use infrared cameras and moisture detection equipment to find water you cannot see, then set up dehumidification and drying equipment until readings confirm the structure is dry. Fast drying is also the core of mold prevention.
Not Every Burst Pipe Is a Frozen One
Freezing is the winter cause, but industry guides commonly list other reasons pipes can fail year-round:
- High water pressure that strains joints and fittings
- Corrosion in older metal pipe
- Movement that can loosen connections over time
Plumber First, Then Water Removal
We do not repair pipes. A licensed plumber fixes the break, and El Paso Water recommends calling one if you cannot find or reach a frozen pipe. Our job starts with the water: extracting it, drying the structure and documenting the damage. If a pipe has burst, shut off the water and call both. Tell the plumber where the water showed up. Tell us roughly how long it ran and which rooms sit below or beside the break, because water travels down and sideways, and both answers shape the job.
Does Insurance Cover a Burst Pipe in Texas?
Often, yes. The Texas Department of Insurance says “many policies will pay for damage to your house caused by a frozen pipe that burst,” with limitations that vary by policy. Most policies cover sudden and accidental water damage and exclude gradual leaks. TDI also warns that your insurer may deny a claim if you do not protect your property, so shut the water off, move valuables off the floor and photograph the damage before work begins. Note when you found the leak and what you did about it; that timeline can help support a sudden and accidental claim.
Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542 then sets the pace, with some exceptions: generally acknowledgment within 15 days, a decision within 15 business days of receiving everything requested, and payment within 5 business days of acceptance. Our insurance billing team works with your carrier directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what temperature do pipes freeze and burst?
The common alert threshold for southern homes is 20°F, based on University of Illinois research and used by Texas A&M AgriLife. Pipes in unheated spaces or exterior walls are at risk first, and longer cold spells raise the risk.
Will a frozen pipe always burst?
No. A pipe bursts when pressure builds between an ice blockage and a closed faucet. A frozen pipe can thaw without splitting, but you will not know until water flows again, so watch for leaks as it warms.
How do I know if a frozen pipe has burst?
Signs include water stains on ceilings or walls as temperatures rise, the sound of running water when nothing is on, and a water meter that keeps moving with every fixture off. If you see any of them, shut off the main.
Should I let my faucets drip in El Paso?
In severe cold, yes, for faucets served by exposed pipes. That is El Paso Water’s guidance, and it works because an open faucet relieves the pressure that splits pipes.
Who handles burst pipe water damage near me in El Paso?
We do, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across El Paso and the Borderland. We strive to arrive within 30 minutes. See what our customers say about the work.
When the Thaw Comes, Get the Water Out Fast
Jimmy Garza Emergency Water Removal has served the Borderland since 1984, as the area’s first company to specialize exclusively in professional water removal and drying. We are an IICRC-certified firm with trained technicians, licensed, insured and BBB-accredited. IICRC Register Number 144385.
Call (915) 474-9472 any hour, or contact us for a free onsite quote with no obligation.