Burst and frozen pipes
Burst and frozen pipes in Missouri City
A split line can put a lot of water into a house in a short time. Shutting it off is the one job that cannot wait for a contractor.
Say the street address first. Calling soon after a loss helps.
In the first few minutes
Close the shutoff
Use the valve under the fixture first. If the water is still running, close the main valve at the house.
Mind the electricity
Do not stand in water near outlets or appliances. If you can reach the breaker panel dry, turn off power to the wet area.
Drain the line
Open a faucet on the ground floor to relieve pressure and drain what is left in the pipe.
Photograph
Take pictures of the burst, the water and the damage before you move things.
Call
Call this line for the water cleanup. A plumber is a separate call for the broken pipe itself.
Why pipes split
Freezing water expands inside a pipe. The split often opens at the freeze point but the water only pours out when the pipe thaws, so the leak can start hours after the cold ends.
Pipes in attics and exterior walls are the most exposed to a cold snap. Age, corrosion and high pressure also cause splits with no cold at all.
Cleanup and the plumber are different jobs
The restoration contractor deals with the water, wet drywall, insulation and flooring. A licensed plumber repairs or replaces the pipe.
Missouri City asks plumbers to register with the city before they work inside it. Registration runs through the city's online portal and the city posts a list; see contractor registration.
The city also says a plumbing permit covers changes such as new sinks, toilets and water heaters; see its permitting answers for repipe questions.
Insurance notes
Texas Department of Insurance says sudden and accidental releases of water are generally covered, while a continuous leak generally is not. A freeze split is usually in the first group, but your policy wording governs.
Call your insurer to report the loss. Make temporary repairs only and save the receipts. Details: TDI home insurance guide.
Water is still moving. Call about it now.
Describe what happened, give the street address, and the call is routed to an independent restoration contractor.