How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa doesn’t have Minnesota winters. But we get enough freezing weather — an average of 12–20 days per year below 32°F, with periodic deep freezes into the teens and single digits — to burst pipes in homes that aren’t prepared.
The February 2021 winter storm (Winter Storm Uri) caused an estimated $195 billion in damage across the southern U.S. In Tulsa, it resulted in thousands of burst pipe emergencies that overwhelmed every plumbing company in the metro for weeks.
The good news: most of those pipe failures were preventable. Here’s what Tulsa homeowners need to know.
Why Pipes Burst When They Freeze
Water expands about 9% when it freezes. Inside a closed pipe, there’s nowhere for that expanding ice to go — the pressure builds until the pipe fails, usually at a fitting or elbow.
The failure doesn’t always happen during the freeze. Often, a pipe freezes, thaws when temperatures rise, and then bursts — releasing hundreds of gallons of water into your home when you least expect it.
Which Pipes Are Most at Risk in Tulsa Homes
Tulsa’s older housing stock and construction styles mean some pipes are more exposed than others:
High risk:
- Pipes in unheated crawl spaces
- Pipes on exterior walls, especially on the north-facing side of your home
- Pipes in unheated garages (especially if you’ve added a bathroom or utility sink)
- Supply lines to outdoor hose bibs that aren’t frost-proof
- Pipes in uninsulated attic spaces (less common but it happens)
- Mobile homes and manufactured housing with exposed belly pan plumbing
Lower risk:
- Pipes in interior walls with living space on both sides
- Pipes in heated spaces (utility rooms, basements with heat)
How to Protect Your Tulsa Home Before a Freeze
1. Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is
This is the single most important thing. If a pipe bursts, the first thing you do is turn off the water. Your main shutoff is usually:
- Near the water meter (often in a box at the street or near the foundation)
- Where the main line enters your home (basement, crawl space, utility room)
Make sure everyone in your household knows where it is and that it actually turns. A main shutoff that hasn’t been touched in 20 years sometimes doesn’t close fully — find out before you need it.
2. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and available at any hardware store. Wrap any pipes in unheated spaces — crawl spaces, attics, garages. Pay particular attention to pipes within 12 inches of exterior walls.
For pipes in particularly exposed locations, electric heat tape (also called heat cable) is worth considering. It plugs into an outlet and keeps the pipe temperature above freezing. Use products certified by UL and follow installation instructions carefully.
3. Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
A garden hose left connected to your hose bib traps water in the bib and the pipe behind it, even if you have a frost-proof hose bib. Disconnect all hoses before the first freeze of the season.
If you have standard (non-frost-proof) hose bibs, locate the indoor shutoff for each one, turn it off, and open the exterior bib to drain the line.
4. Let Faucets Drip During Severe Cold Snaps
When temperatures are forecast to drop below 20°F, let the faucets at the end of at-risk pipe runs drip slowly. Both hot and cold — even a small trickle keeps water moving and prevents the pressure buildup that causes pipes to burst.
This wastes some water, but considerably less than a burst pipe.
5. Open Cabinet Doors Under Sinks on Exterior Walls
Kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls often have pipes in a cabinet that’s insulated from the interior heat of your home. Open those cabinet doors during cold snaps to let warm air circulate around the pipes.
6. Keep Your Heat On — Even When You’re Away
When leaving Tulsa during winter travel, keep your thermostat at a minimum of 55°F. We get calls every year from homeowners who turned the heat down to 50°F while on vacation and came home to a burst pipe.
If you’re away for an extended period during winter, consider having someone check your home daily or turning the water off at the main shutoff and draining the lines.
What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze
1. Turn off the main water shutoff immediately. Don’t wait to see if the pipe will thaw on its own.
2. Call us. If a pipe has frozen, there’s a good chance it has cracked or split at a weak point. You need a plumber to assess the damage before you restore water flow.
3. Do not use open flame to thaw pipes. Propane torches and heat guns have caused house fires. If you need to thaw a pipe yourself, use a hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater — never an open flame.
4. Open the faucet before thawing. As the pipe thaws, water and steam need somewhere to go. Keep the faucet open while applying heat.
5. Check for damage while thawing. If water starts flowing immediately, inspect the entire length of the thawed pipe for splits or cracks before restoring full water pressure.
After the Freeze: What to Watch For
Even if you don’t see an immediate burst, pipes that have frozen sometimes show delayed failure. After a Tulsa freeze event, watch for:
- Drips from ceiling fixtures or walls that weren’t there before
- Reduced water pressure from specific fixtures
- Water stains appearing on walls or ceilings
- Your water meter moving with all water off
If you see any of these signs after a freeze, call us. The repair is almost always simpler and less expensive when caught early.
Emergency Burst Pipe Service in Tulsa
If a pipe bursts, we’re available 24/7. Our average emergency response across the metro is 47 minutes.
When you call, we’ll walk you through what to do immediately while we’re on the way — including confirming your water is off and what not to touch. See our emergency plumbing services page.
Concerned about your home’s winter readiness? Call (918) 555-0190 or contact us online to schedule a pre-winter plumbing inspection. We check shutoff valves, identify exposed pipes, and make sure your Tulsa home is ready for whatever winter brings.