Why Pipes Freeze in the DFW Metro – And Why It’s a Serious Problem

Why Pipes Freeze in the DFW Metro: Causes and Solutions

The Dallas Fort Worth metro in North Texas can experience harsh winters. The temperature regularly drops below freezing, and it’s even gotten below 0 degrees on more than one occasion.

The extreme cold in the winter months can do a lot of damage, especially to your plumbing system. One of the most common problems is frozen pipes. They can cause significant water damage and costly repairs to a plumbing system.

The good news is, you can avoid this problem all together and correct the issue if your pipes do become frozen. All it takes is understanding the causes of pipe freezing and taking proactive steps to prevent frozen pipes so your home’s plumbing system is protected.

Why Pipes Freeze in the Arlington Area

It might be Texas, but the winters can get cold in Arlington. It can get so cold that pipes freezing can be a regular occurrence some winters. And it doesn’t take extreme cold like what was experienced during the Winter Storm Uri in 2021. If the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit frozen pipes are possible.

What Happens to Pipes When Temperatures Drop Below Freezing

Pipes freeze when water inside them hardens and expands due to freezing temperatures. This creates immense pressure that can lead to water leaks, burst pipes, and damage to the plumbing system.

Exposed pipes in unheated areas such as crawl spaces, pipes along exterior walls, and outdoor faucets are the most susceptible to freezing. However, any pipe in a home can freeze if outside air is seeping in through gaps and cracks making it cold inside. And the longer it is freezing outside, the more likely it is that pipes in areas with poor insulation and exposed pipes will freeze.

When Pipe Freezing Can Be a Problem in Arlington, Fort Worth and Dallas

Even though the winters can seem mild compared to areas further north, in the DFW metro freezing temperatures can occur during a good portion of the year. Freezing cold weather can start in November and last all the way to March.

Historically, the coldest months in Arlington, Fort Worth and Dallas are January, December and February (in that order). In January, the average low is 37 degrees Fahrenheit, which means it can easily dip down below freezing.

Where Pipe Freezing is Most Likely in the DFW Metro

It turns out some areas of the DFW metro are more susceptible to sudden freezes and frozen pipes. It’s the result of it being such a densely populated area.

The urban heat island effect can keep warm air in the city centers for a little longer and keep the temperature a few degrees warmer. All the multi-family housing also helps since there’s more heat being generated in those structures. Because of these factors, urban areas will see fewer days with freezing weather.

If you live in the suburbs and outlying areas in a single family home you’re more likely to have frozen pipes.

Signs es Are Frozen That Your Pip

Since pipe freezing is possible, it’s important for DFW property owners to know what to watch out for to prevent major damage. The signs that your pipes are frozen include:

• Visible frost on exposed pipes.
• No water flow out of faucets or low water pressure.
• Water damage, leaks, or puddles near pipes can be a sign of frozen pipes that are thawing or burst pipes.
• Unusual odors or sounds from faucets or drains can also indicate pipe damage and potential freezing.

Proven Prevention Methods to Avoid Frozen Pipes and Keep Water Flowing

The best thing you can do is take action to prevent freezing before it happens. You can’t control how cold it gets, but you can control how impacted the pipes are when the temperature drops outside.

Here’s what our professional plumbers recommend to our DFW clients:

• Insulate exposed pipes with foam and heat tape in unheated areas such as crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls.
• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets and drain them to prevent water from freezing inside the pipes.
• Seal cracks and gaps in exterior walls, doors and floors to prevent cold air from reaching pipes and causing them to freeze.
• Let faucets drip slightly during freezing weather to keep water flowing inside the pipes and reduce pressure buildup.
• You may want to consider installing freeze-proof faucets so there are fewer points where freezing can occur.

A bonus is that doing these measures helps to winterize your home so that it’s more comfortable inside and there’s less work to do in spring.

Getting Professional Help With Freezing Pipes From a Licensed Plumber

When pipes freeze it’s a time when quick action needs to be taken. If not, you run the risk of serious damage to the plumbing system and even the structure. It’s best to call a professional plumber who knows what to do.

1. The first step that needs to be taken is shutting off the main water supply so that if a pipe bursts there’s less risk of water damage and more costly repairs.
2. Once that’s done thawing the frozen pipes is the next step. Getting help from a professional plumber is critical since we have high-tech equipment that can get the job done safer and faster.
3. After the thawing process has begun, we’ll inspect the plumbing system to look for damage and issues that could create further problems. The goal is to get leaks fixed and prevent pipes from bursting.
4. We’ll also provide personalized guidance on what you can do to prevent freezing so that you don’t have to thaw frozen pipes and worry about extensive damage. We base the recommendations on what we discover during the inspection so you have a better idea of what preventative measures to prioritize.

If you need help with frozen pipes or want professional guidance on how to avoid them, give Made’s Plumbing a call. We’re local experts who have dealt with freezing pipes many times before and know how to avoid them.