Austin homes aren't built for hard freezes, and every serious cold snap proves it: split supply lines, flooded ceilings, and a rush of emergency calls. Austin houses are more exposed than northern homes because the pipes often run through attics and exterior walls with little insulation — exactly where freeze damage starts.
First, shut off the water at the main. Every adult in the house should know where that valve is before winter arrives, because the moment you need it is a bad time to go looking. It's usually at the front of the house near the street or in a ground-level box; turn it clockwise until it stops. Then open the lowest faucet in the house to drain what's left in the lines.
Second, kill power to any area that's wet — especially if water is near outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel. Water and electricity settle that argument in favor of water. If the ceiling is bulging, put a bucket under it and poke a small hole to drain it in a controlled way rather than letting it collapse on its own.
Third, don't heat the pipe back up with an open flame. A propane torch on a frozen pipe is how a plumbing emergency becomes a fire. If you're thawing a pipe that hasn't burst yet, use a hair dryer or heat gun on low, working from the faucet back toward the frozen section, and keep the faucet open so moving water can escape.
When the water is off and the danger has passed, document everything for your insurer — photos of the burst section, the water lines on walls, and damaged belongings before you move them. Then get the pipe repaired properly. A split copper line can't be patched with tape or epoxy putty; those hold until the next pressure spike and fail at 3 AM.
We prioritize burst-pipe calls and get lines either repaired or permanently rerouted, with the system pressure-tested before we leave. Call Smoke Test Client at +1 512 555 0166 for a free estimate anywhere in Austin.