Frozen & Burst Pipes in Oklahoma: Winter Guide

Protect exposed plumbing before a freeze, maintain steady heat during it, and treat a trickling faucet as a warning that a pipe may be frozen. This Oklahoma winter guide brings together prevention, safe thawing and the first steps after a burst for December through February. For a focused walkthrough, see our safe pipe-thawing guide or our burst pipe response guide.

Why are Oklahoma homes at risk of frozen and burst pipes?

Severe cold can freeze plumbing in exposed or unheated parts of Oklahoma homes. The Oklahoma Climatological Survey's February 2021 summary reported that Oklahoma City reached minus 14°F on February 16, its second-lowest temperature on record, and that many homes and businesses statewide had frozen and burst pipes. That history makes checking vulnerable plumbing before a hard freeze worthwhile.

In its January 25, 2022 report, News On 6 reported State Farm's ranking of Oklahoma as the third-worst state for burst-pipe claims after that storm, with about $12 million in claims, more than ten times the 2020 level. These are the insurer's reported claims, not a total for all Oklahoma storm damage.

Consumer Reports says pipes usually freeze when temperatures drop below 20°F, though they can freeze above that. Do not treat 20°F as a guaranteed safe cutoff. Check where your water lines run rather than assuming a warm living room protects every pipe.

Which pipes freeze first?

The Red Cross identifies outdoor water lines and pipes in unheated spaces or on exterior walls as especially vulnerable. Start your winter check with these locations:

• Outdoor hose bibs: Check outdoor faucets and the hoses connected to them.
• Sprinkler and pool supply lines: These are exposed outdoor water lines.
• Unheated attics and crawl spaces: Look for exposed pipe runs outside heated rooms.
• Garages: Pay attention when water supply lines pass through an unheated garage.
• Kitchen and bathroom cabinets on exterior walls: Closed cabinet doors can keep room heat from reaching the plumbing.

How can I prevent frozen pipes before a freeze?

Drain outdoor lines and protect exposed plumbing before temperatures fall. The Red Cross recommends these preparations, while our existing winter advice also emphasizes knowing your main shutoff valve before an emergency:

1. Drain and store hoses. Remove outdoor hoses, drain them and put them away.
2. Drain outdoor hose bibs. Shut the indoor valve supplying the outdoor bib, then leave the outdoor bib open so water can drain.
3. Insulate cold spaces. Insulate attics and crawl spaces where water lines are exposed to cold.
4. Protect exposed pipes. Use pipe sleeves or UL-listed heat tape on exposed plumbing.
5. Keep garage doors closed. This matters when water supply lines run through the garage.
6. Locate the main water valve. It is usually near the meter or where the water line enters the house. Know where it is before water starts leaking.

Outdoor draining and indoor insulation address different parts of the same problem. Walk through the outdoor faucets, garage, attic or crawl space and exterior-wall sinks so you do not overlook a vulnerable run while protecting another.

What should I do during a hard freeze?

Keep the thermostat the same day and night, let cold water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes, and open sink cabinets on outside walls. The Red Cross recommends steady heat instead of lowering the thermostat overnight during severe cold.

• Open kitchen and bathroom sink cabinets. Keep cleaners and other chemicals away from children when doors are open.
• Let cold water drip. Use the faucets supplied by exposed pipes during very cold weather.
• Maintain the same thermostat setting day and night. Avoid an overnight temperature setback during the freeze.
• If you are away, keep heat no lower than 55°F. Do not leave the home unheated.
• Keep the garage closed if it contains water lines. Continue protecting those lines while the cold persists.

How can I thaw a frozen pipe safely?

A trickle from a faucet can signal a frozen pipe. Keep the faucet open and gently warm the accessible pipe until full water pressure returns, following the Red Cross guidance below. For the focused walkthrough, read how to thaw frozen pipes in Oklahoma.

1. Keep the faucet open. Leave an outlet for water as the frozen section thaws.
2. Apply gentle heat. Use an electric heating pad, hair dryer, space heater kept away from anything flammable, or towels soaked in hot water.
3. Start near the faucet. As our existing thawing guide explains, work from the faucet toward the frozen section.
4. Continue until full pressure returns. A small trickle does not mean the line is fully thawed.
5. Check other faucets. Do not assume the first frozen pipe is the only affected line.

Never use a blowtorch, propane or kerosene heater, or any open flame.Keep a space heater away from flammable materials and do not leave it unattended. If you cannot find or safely reach the frozen section, call a plumber rather than trying to heat an inaccessible pipe.

Consumer Reports warns that a pipe may already have split and can leak once it thaws. Watch for water as flow returns. If a leak appears, stop thawing, shut off the main water valve and follow the burst-pipe steps below.

What should I do in the first 30 minutes after a pipe bursts?

Shut off the main water valve first. Then address electrical safety, move belongings if safe, document the damage and call for pipe repair and water cleanup. The first 30 minutes are a priority order, not a reason to wait before calling.

1. Stop the water. Turn off the main valve, usually near the meter or where the supply line enters the house.
2. Turn off power to wet areas only if safe. Do not enter standing water to reach a breaker or touch wet electrical equipment.
3. Move belongings out of the affected area if safe. Keep away from wet electrical outlets and equipment.
4. Take photos and video before cleanup. Record the damaged rooms, belongings and pipe, without delaying the water shutoff.
5. Call a plumber for the pipe. Pipe repair and drying the property are separate parts of the response.
6. Call ASAP Pro for extraction and drying. Reach our 24/7 team at (405) 992-4111.

See our water damage restoration service for extraction and structural drying, and keep the free first-60-minutes water damage checklist handy. Our burst pipe repair and response guide explains what happens after the initial shutoff.

Will homeowners insurance cover a frozen-pipe burst?

Standard homeowners policies generally cover sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe. Coverage is not automatic in every situation, and your own policy controls what is covered.

Insurers may deny a claim if the home was left unheated or vacant without draining the plumbing, if there was poor maintenance, or if the owner did not act quickly to stop the water. Maintain heat, stop an active leak promptly and document the damage before cleanup. Policies vary. This is general information, not insurance advice.

Read the existing Oklahoma homeowners insurance and water damage guide for coverage context, and the water damage documentation guide for photos, records and claim preparation. Shut off the water first; documentation should not delay stopping an active leak.

How much does burst-pipe water damage restoration cost?

The water damage restoration range on our Pricing page is $1,500 to $8,500 or more. This is the water damage restoration range, not a separate quote for repairing the pipe.

Final restoration pricing depends on the water category, affected square footage, damaged materials and scope of repairs. Use the published range for context and the written estimate after inspection for your property's actual work.

Who can I call for 24/7 burst-pipe water cleanup in OKC?

Sources

• American Red Cross, Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes, prevention, steady heat, vulnerable pipes and safe thawing.
• Oklahoma Climatological Survey, February 2021 monthly summary (PDF), Oklahoma City's extreme cold and frozen and burst pipes statewide.
• News On 6, Oklahoma Ranked 3rd Worst State For Pipe Bursts, January 25, 2022, State Farm's Oklahoma claim ranking and reported costs.
• Consumer Reports guidance as reported by Boston 25 News, Winter weather: How to keep pipes from freezing, freezing temperatures and thawing cautions.

For the restoration work discussed here, see water damage restoration.