San Antonio, TX
Burst & Frozen Pipes in San Antonio, TX
When a hard freeze reaches San Antonio, pipes in garages, attics and outside walls are exposed. Shut off the water, then call to speak with an independent restoration contractor.
Pipes that freeze where winters are mild
Cold snaps catch plumbing that runs through spaces nobody heats. SAWS tells customers to wrap pipes in unheated garages, water heater closets and crawl spaces, cover outdoor faucets and leave exterior cabinet doors open when a freeze is coming (SAWS freeze checklist).
A frozen pipe often leaks only once it thaws, so damage can show up hours after the cold snap. SAWS advises having a shut-off valve close to the meter that stops water to the whole property, because speed matters when a pipe breaks (SAWS on shut-off valves). A licensed plumber repairs the pipe; the restoration contractor deals with the water it left behind.
SAWS
Whose pipe broke?
| Where the break is | Who owns it | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Water main or street side of the meter | SAWS | Call 210-704-SAWS (7297) and press 1 for a leak from the SAWS system. |
| Between the meter and the house | You (customer-owned service line) | Close your shut-off and call a licensed plumber. |
| Inside the house | You | Shut off the water, call a plumber for the pipe and a restoration contractor for the damage. |
Sources: SAWS service line inventory, SAWS report a problem, SAWS customer service FAQ.
Checklist
Right after the pipe lets go
Close the main valve
Use the customer shut-off near the meter or where the line enters the house. Then open a low faucet to drain the lines.
Mind the electricity
Water inside walls can reach outlets and fixtures. Switch off affected circuits at the panel if you can do it from a dry spot.
Call a plumber for the pipe
Texas plumbers are licensed by the state board; ask for the Responsible Master Plumber's license number (TSBPE).
Photograph before cleanup
The break, the wet areas and any ruined belongings, with the date.
Open up, then dry
Wall cavities around a break stay wet. Expect the contractor to open some drywall to get air in.
Check the attic and ceiling
Lines in the attic can soak insulation and ceiling drywall well before a stain shows below.
Questions
Burst & Frozen Pipes, answered
Who pays for the pipe from the meter to the house?
SAWS describes that run, from the meter to the building, as the customer-owned service line (SAWS service lines). A break on the street side of the meter belongs to SAWS; call 210-704-SAWS (7297).
Can I just let the wall air out?
Insulation and the back of drywall hold water for a long time with no air moving. Meter readings tell you whether a wall is drying or just looking dry.
Is a freeze break covered by insurance?
Many Texas policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, but every policy differs. Read the Texas Department of Insurance's water damage guidance and ask your insurer.
Services
Other kinds of damage
- Water Damage RestorationAny leak that soaked floors, walls or cabinets: water out, structure dried, materials replaced.
- Water Extraction & Structural DryingStanding water pulled out, then air movers and dehumidifiers until the readings say dry.
- Flash Flood & Flooded Home CleanupRising water came in under doors: muddy floors, wet drywall and contaminated contents.
- Sewage Backup CleanupToilets or tubs backing up: contaminated water removed, surfaces sanitized, wet materials replaced.
- Storm & Roof Leak Water DamageStains spreading on the ceiling or wet attic insulation after a storm.
- Water Heater & Appliance LeaksWater heater, washer, dishwasher, fridge line or AC drain: find the wet areas and dry them.
- Fire & Smoke DamageSoot, smoke odor and the water used to put the fire out.
- Mold Remediation (Licensed)Mold after a leak: referrals to firms with a Texas mold remediation license.
Leak, flood, smoke or mold
Talk it through with a San Antonio restoration contractor
Say where the water came from, which rooms it reached and roughly when it started. The contractor on the line can tell you what an inspection would look at and what they charge for it.
Water where it shouldn't be? Make one call.
The call goes to an independent restoration contractor that takes work in your part of Bexar County or the nearby suburbs.
Call (210) 750-1322Calls may be recorded for quality. How the line is paid: referral disclosure. What is kept: privacy.