Here’s how you can tell if your pipes are frozen

HOUSTON — Pipes break during wintry weather because the water freezes and expands inside them, similar to what happens when you put a bottle of water or a can of soda in the freezer.

Frozen pipes and the damage they can cause are some of the main concerns when freezing temperatures come to the Houston area because of the headaches they cause when they do break.

The water released by broken pipes can cause extensive damage to your home and other property. It can also lead to an increased water bill, among other issues.

There are tips on how to take precautions to avoid them from freezing but sometimes Mother Nature has a mind of her own.

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Often, the pipes can’t take the stress and they break. This could happen inside your home’s walls, in the attic, under your home, or on the pipes outside your home.

Watch for these troubling signs during and after a winter event:

• Frost or icicles on the exterior of a pipe — especially if it was not insulated.
• Obviously — anytime water shows up somewhere that it should not be: on the floor, around light fixtures, etc. Water tends to “travel” inside your walls and attic, so just because the leak appears to be right above you, that may not be the actual location of a broken pipe.
• Stains on your walls or ceiling. Look very carefully, perhaps with a bright flashlight, for any discoloration from the normal paint. The beginning of a leak won’t always show up as falling sheet rock — try to catch it in the very early stages of discoloration as it gets wet.
• Sagging sheet rock — know that most of the time when drywall gets wet, it has to be replaced, especially if is soaked and sagging or can easily be pierced with your finger or a tool. Fix the leak first, of course. Just repairing the leak without removing the damaged drywall or moisture could cause mold problems down the road.
• Low water pressure or no water pressure — this could impact all your water fixtures or just one or two in a certain wall that froze. Of course, this is more difficult to tell if your city’s entire water supply is compromised or suffering from low water pressure.
• Wet or muddy yard when it hasn’t rained — or water draining from your property into the street.
• Expensive water bills — if you haven’t changed your habits or had additional people staying over, a sudden jump in your monthly bill may be an indicator that you have a leak somewhere. It could even be from a faucet or line outside or under your home where it may be less obvious. Again, walk around the perimeter of your property on a dry day and look for any clues like standing water or mud.
• Sometimes discolored water or smelly water may also be an indicator that you have a broken pipe somewhere.
• Shut off the electricity in any area impacted by the water from the broken pipe — your entire home if you need as the situation is assessed
• Shut off water in the impacted area — sometimes you can shut off and isolate only the damaged area, but more often you will have to use the valve where the water enters your home from the city/county. In a worst-case scenario, that valve may also be broken, and you will have to shut it off at the meter. You can call the city for help if you need it.
• Take photos or videos for insurance purposes
• Immediately begin removing as much of the standing water, moisture (leave a fan running in the area if you can safely use electricity) and damaged sheet rock as you can. During a natural disaster, if you wait for a professional to come and help, it could lead to further damage and mold due to wait times.
• Contact a plumber
• Contact your insurance company
• Hire a contractor to make other repairs (wall, ceiling) after the plumber does their work