Wichita Falls, TX · Answered 24/7
Frozen Pipe Thawing & Repair in Wichita Falls, TX
North Texas winters freeze pipes that homeowners expect to be safe. We thaw frozen lines safely, inspect for hidden stress fractures before they burst, and identify the exposed runs that will freeze again next winter.
- Safe controlled thawing — no torches, no cracked joints
- Full pressure inspection after thaw for micro-fractures
- Prevention walkthrough: which pipes are at risk next freeze
Direct answer
What should I do if I have a frozen pipe right now?
Find the main shut-off and leave it accessible but ready to close. Turn on a cold faucet downstream of the frozen section to relieve pressure as ice melts. Do not use an open flame — a torch applied to residential pipe splits joints and can ignite insulation inside the wall. If you see any water at all, close the main shut-off immediately and call us. A frozen pipe that has not yet burst is a much cheaper call than one that has. We can often tell over the phone whether your situation is still a freeze or has already become a break.
Frozen pipe in Wichita Falls right now?
Call (940) 905-8032 and stay on the line. We will walk you through what to do in the next five minutes and dispatch a plumber if needed. Available 24 hours during freeze events.
Why North Texas pipes freeze
Wichita Falls freeze patterns and the pipes at most risk
Wichita Falls sits in a climate zone where hard freezes arrive fast and homes were not universally built for them. The most vulnerable runs are in uninsulated exterior walls on north and west faces, attic crawl spaces with supply lines that have no floor insulation below them, garage walls on homes where the garage was converted from a carport, uncovered hose bibs and the supply lines that feed them, and long horizontal runs in pier-and-beam crawl spaces.
The freeze pattern that causes the most damage is a rapid temperature drop to single digits after a mild week. Pipes that have been warm for months freeze before insulation adapts, and occupants do not notice until the next morning when the faucet runs dry. By then the pipe may have split at the weakest section — usually a fitting — but still holds because the ice plug is acting as a temporary seal. Thawing without inspecting for that split first is why water damage follows what looked like a straightforward freeze call.
What we do
Safe thawing and full post-freeze inspection
- 01
Locate the frozen section
We identify which run is frozen using flow tests and — where needed — thermal imaging, so we are thawing the right pipe, not guessing.
- 02
Controlled heat application
Heat tape, a heat gun, or warm water applied from the faucet end of the freeze toward the supply — never an open flame, never at a random midpoint.
- 03
Pressure test after thaw
Once flow returns, we pressure the section to confirm no hidden fractures before the wall is wet and the ceiling stained.
- 04
Repair any splits found
Burst sections replaced on the same visit where materials allow. See our burst pipe repair page for full detail.
- 05
Prevention assessment
We identify every other exposed run on the property so you have a list of what to address before the next freeze event.
Warning signs
Signs of a frozen pipe
- No water at one or more fixtures despite main being open
- Faucet produces only a trickle even when fully open
- Visible frost on an exposed supply line
- Banging or creaking from walls during a hard freeze
- Water meter dial moving with all fixtures closed (break has already happened)
- Damp ceiling or wall that appeared after a cold snap
While you wait
What to do before we arrive
- Locate the main shut-off — know where it is before you need it.
- Open the faucet downstream of the frozen section to relieve pressure as ice melts.
- Keep cabinet doors under sinks open so indoor air reaches pipes on exterior walls.
- Do not use a hair dryer inside a wall cavity or any open flame on any pipe.
- If any water appears at a ceiling, floor, or wall — close the main shut-off immediately and call.
Pricing
What does frozen pipe service cost in Wichita Falls?
A thaw service call with post-thaw inspection typically runs $150–$350 depending on access and the number of frozen sections. If a pipe has already burst during the freeze, repair cost depends on the break location — accessible pipe repairs usually add $200–$600, and anything behind drywall or under a slab is quoted after inspection. We provide a written price before any repair work begins.
Service area
Frozen pipe response across the 940
FAQ
Frozen pipe questions
Can a frozen pipe thaw on its own without bursting?
Which pipes freeze first in a Wichita Falls home?
Does homeowner insurance cover frozen pipe damage?
How do I prevent pipes from freezing again?
Related services
Also from Discount Plumbing TX
Burst Pipe Repair
Emergency response when the freeze has already caused a break — section replacement and full leak-down test.
Learn moreEmergency Plumbing
24/7 dispatch for failures that cannot wait — live answer on every call.
Learn moreOne call ends it
A frozen pipe that has not burst yet is still a time-sensitive call
Call (940) 905-8032 — we advise immediately and dispatch if needed. Safe thawing, full pressure inspection, prevention walkthrough. Available 24 hours.
Call (940) 905-8032