Keep pipes from freezing, thaw them without a flame, shut the water off fast when one bursts, and know what insurers expect. From TX, MN and OR sources.
By the WaterDamageRated team · Facts checked against the sources listed below on November 1, 2026. General information, not professional advice.
Pipes freeze where they are exposed to cold, so the Portland Water Bureau starts with unheated spaces such as attics, crawl spaces and basements, and with outdoor faucets. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension says water pipes can freeze and burst when the outside temperature reaches 20°F or below. Portland warns that until temperatures are consistently above freezing, pipes are still at risk of freezing and breaking.
Thawing brings its own risk. Texas A&M AgriLife points out that a frozen pipe may already be broken and will leak once the water thaws.
The Portland Water Bureau's winter checklist includes:
Rentals have rules too. Portland suggests landlords send tenants guidance on protecting pipes, and Minnesota law requires landlords to supply heat of at least 68°F in living areas, including kitchens and bathrooms, from October 1 through April 30, unless a utility company requires the heat to be reduced.
Portland's checklist for commercial and multifamily buildings goes further than the one for houses:
When a pipe bursts, minutes count, so find the main shutoff valve before you need it. Portland says most are where the water line enters the house, which may be near a hose connection, the water heater in the basement, or the garage. Texas A&M AgriLife says to make sure you know where the main water valve is outside your home.
If you can't find or reach it, your utility may help. In Portland, if you can't shut off your own water, you can call the Water Bureau's 24-hour emergency dispatch line, 503-823-4874, to request an emergency water shutoff. San Antonio Water System lists 210-704-SAWS (7297) for water and sewer emergencies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Portland notes that repairing broken pipes on the customer's side of the meter is the property owner's responsibility, and asks people not to open the water meter box near the curb.
If you think a pipe is frozen, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's advice is:
Be ready for a leak, since the pipe may already be broken, and know where your main shutoff valve is before you start. Once the pipe has thawed, Portland suggests leaving a little water running so it doesn't freeze again.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce says a standard homeowners policy typically covers water damage from burst pipes, but that coverage may be denied if you left the house unoccupied without heat, or if the damage came from a slow leak over time. TDI likewise says most homeowner and renters policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, such as from a burst pipe, but usually not damage from gradual leaks. It warns that home and renters policies might not pay for damage from frozen pipes if you didn't take steps to protect them, such as keeping the heater on, and that a landlord's insurance won't cover a renter's personal items. TDI's homeowners comparison worksheet lists freezing of plumbing or heating systems as a coverage item to check when you shop for a policy.
Minnesota's regulator also suggests:
When it's below freezing, the Portland Water Bureau suggests letting faucets run at a slight drip and opening the cabinet doors under sinks so indoor heat reaches the pipes.
Not a torch or any other flame. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension says never to use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or other open-flame device. It lists a heating pad, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater or towels soaked in hot water instead (Portland also suggests a heat lamp), and says to keep electrical cords away from water.
Possibly not. The Minnesota Department of Commerce says coverage may be denied if the house was left unoccupied without heat. Read your own policy for its exact conditions.
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