February 2021 is a date a lot of Shreveport homeowners will never forget. Winter Storm Uri dropped temperatures into the single digits across northwest Louisiana, a region whose homes were never designed for that kind of cold. Pipes froze and burst by the thousands. Ceilings collapsed. Families came home from work to find water pouring through their floors.
The hard lesson from that event was this: Shreveport homeowners face a pipe freezing risk that is actually more dangerous than the risk faced by homeowners in colder northern states. And most people here do not know it.
This guide explains exactly at what temperature pipes freeze in the South, which pipes in your home are most at risk, the warning signs to watch for, and what to do when a hard freeze is on the way.
At What Temperature Do Pipes Freeze?
The short answer: pipes can begin to freeze when outdoor temperatures drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but the real danger zone starts at 20 degrees and below.
Here is how the timeline works:
| Outdoor Temperature | Risk Level | Approximate Time to Freeze |
| 32°F | Low to moderate (uninsulated pipes at risk) | 12 or more hours |
| 20°F to 32°F | High (most exposed pipes at risk) | 6 to 12 hours |
| Below 20°F | Severe (even some insulated pipes at risk) | Under 6 hours |
These timelines change based on wind chill, how long the temperature stays low, whether your pipes are insulated, and where they are located in your home.
Here is the important part for Shreveport and northwest Louisiana: southern homes freeze at higher temperatures than northern homes. The U.S. Department of Energy and weather experts consistently note that homes in southern states start having serious pipe problems around 20 degrees, while northern homes with proper insulation and pipe placement can survive much colder temperatures without issue.
Why? Because homes in Louisiana were never designed for hard freezes. Builders here did not need to plan for pipes freezing, so they did not.
Why Louisiana Homes Are More Vulnerable Than You Think
This is the part that catches most Shreveport homeowners off guard.
In northern states like New York or Minnesota, building codes require pipes to be located inside interior walls, away from cold exterior surfaces. Attics are heavily insulated. Crawl spaces are sealed and sometimes conditioned. Pipes are wrapped and protected.
In Louisiana, none of that was standard practice. Why would it be? We average only a handful of below-freezing nights each year and almost never drop below 20 degrees. Builders planned accordingly.
The result is that our homes often have:
- Pipes running through exterior walls with little or no insulation
- Pipes in open, unheated crawl spaces under the house
- Pipes in attic spaces that get no heat whatsoever
- Hose bibs and outdoor spigots with no freeze protection
- Minimal or no pipe insulation throughout
When a hard freeze hits Shreveport, which does happen every few years and sometimes severely, those pipes have almost no protection. A home in Rochester can survive a week at 10 degrees. A Shreveport home can have burst pipes after a single night at 18 degrees.
Which Pipes in Your Home Are Most at Risk
Knowing which pipes are vulnerable helps you protect the right ones before the temperature drops.
Pipes in Exterior Walls
Any pipe that runs through a wall facing the outside is at serious risk during a hard freeze. In Shreveport homes, this commonly includes:
- Pipes under kitchen sinks on exterior walls
- Bathroom pipes in exterior walls, especially on the north side of the house
- Pipes serving washing machines in exterior laundry rooms
- Pipes that run to outdoor hose bibs
These pipes have only a few inches of building material between them and the freezing outdoor air.
Pipes in Crawl Spaces
Many older Shreveport homes have a crawl space under the floor. During a normal winter, the air under the house does not get cold enough to freeze anything. During a hard freeze, that crawl space gets very cold very fast, especially if the vents are open. Pipes running through an open crawl space with no insulation are among the most vulnerable in the entire home.
Pipes in the Attic
Hot and cold water lines that pass through the attic to reach upstairs fixtures or roof-mounted features are highly exposed. Attics in Louisiana homes are rarely heated and often have significant air gaps. During a sustained hard freeze, attic temperatures can approach outdoor temperatures.
Outdoor Spigots and Irrigation Lines
Hose bibs and irrigation systems are almost always on the outer skin of the house. Any water left in these lines during a freeze will freeze. Lines that were not properly winterized before a cold snap are at high risk of splitting.
Pipes in the Garage
If you have plumbing running through an unheated garage, those pipes are exposed. This is common in homes where the laundry or a utility sink is located in or near the garage.
Warning Signs Your Pipes Are Already Freezing
Sometimes you catch a freeze early enough to prevent a burst. Here are the signs to watch for when a hard freeze is underway.
No water comes out when you turn on a faucet. This is the clearest sign. If you turn on a faucet and get nothing or just a trickle, a pipe in the supply line has likely frozen somewhere between the water main and that fixture.
Unusual sounds from pipes. Banging, clanking, or gurgling sounds from inside your walls or floors when you turn on water can indicate that ice is blocking flow and pressure is building somewhere in the system.
Frost on visible pipes. If you can see pipes in your basement, crawl space, or garage and they have frost on the outside, they are at or near freezing internally.
A strange smell from drains. Frozen drains can trap odors that normally escape through the vent system, pushing them back into your home.
Your water pressure suddenly drops. If pressure drops significantly overnight during a freeze, ice may be partially blocking a pipe somewhere in your system.
If you notice any of these signs, act immediately. Every minute you wait increases the chance that a frozen pipe becomes a burst pipe.
What to Do If You Think a Pipe Is Frozen
If you catch it before it bursts, you may be able to thaw a frozen pipe safely. Here is what to do.
Step 1: Turn on the faucet. Open the faucet that the frozen pipe supplies. Even a small trickle of water flowing through will help melt the ice faster once you start applying heat. It also relieves pressure.
Step 2: Find the frozen section. Check the most vulnerable areas first: pipes along exterior walls, under sinks on outside walls, in the crawl space, or in the garage. The frozen section will often feel extremely cold to the touch or have frost on the outside.
Step 3: Apply gentle heat. Use a hair dryer, electric heating pad, or warm towels to gradually warm the frozen section. Start at the faucet end and work toward the colder area.
Never use an open flame. Blowtorches, lighters, and propane torches can damage pipes, ignite wall materials, and cause fires. This is not a shortcut worth taking.
Step 4: Keep heat on the pipe until full water pressure is restored. If water is flowing normally from the faucet, the pipe has thawed. Check for any signs of dripping or leaking around the pipe before considering the situation resolved.
Step 5: Call a plumber if you cannot find or reach the frozen section. Many frozen pipes are inside walls or under floors where you cannot get to them. Do not try to cut into your walls without professional guidance. Our emergency plumbing team is available when you need help fast.
What to Do If a Pipe Has Already Burst
If you turn on a faucet and water starts pouring from somewhere it should not, or if you come home to water damage, a pipe has burst and you need to act quickly.
Step 1: Shut off the main water supply immediately. Know where your main water shutoff valve is before this happens. It is usually near the water meter, which in Shreveport homes is typically at the front of the property near the street, or inside the home near where the water line enters.
Step 2: Turn off electricity in flooded areas. Water and live electrical circuits are a dangerous combination. If water is near electrical outlets, panels, or appliances, shut off the power to those areas at the breaker panel.
Step 3: Call for emergency plumbing help. A burst pipe is not a repair you want to attempt yourself. The water damage clock is ticking. Our plumbing repair team can locate the break and get it fixed.
Step 4: Document everything for insurance. Take photos and video of the damage before cleaning anything up. Your homeowner’s insurance will want documentation of the damage before repairs begin.
If you suspect the burst created hidden leaks inside walls or under flooring, our leak detection service uses specialized equipment to find water that you cannot see or hear.
How to Protect Your Pipes Before a Hard Freeze
Prevention is always easier and cheaper than repair. When a hard freeze is forecast for Shreveport, here is your action list.
Keep Your Heat On and Set Above 55 Degrees
Never turn your heat off completely during winter, even when you leave for a few days. The minimum safe thermostat setting for pipe protection is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If there is a cold snap forecast, keep it at 60 degrees or higher, especially at night.
Making sure your heating system is properly maintained before winter is one of the most important things you can do. A heating system that fails during a hard freeze leaves your pipes exposed. If your heat goes out during freezing temperatures, call our heating emergency line immediately.
Open Cabinet Doors Under Sinks
Pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls are some of the most common to freeze. Keeping those cabinet doors open during a hard freeze allows the warmer air in your room to circulate around the pipes.
Let Faucets Drip When Temperatures Drop Below 20 Degrees
A slow drip from faucets connected to pipes in exterior walls or unheated spaces keeps water moving. Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water. This is particularly important for faucets on the north and exterior sides of your home.
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
Before a hard freeze, disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor spigots. Water left in hoses can freeze and back up into the spigot and the supply pipe behind it. Drain the hose completely and store it indoors.
Insulate Vulnerable Pipes
Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and available at any hardware store. Wrapping exposed pipes in your crawl space, attic, or garage takes an afternoon and can prevent thousands of dollars in damage. Focus on pipes that run along exterior walls or through unheated areas.
Close Crawl Space Vents During a Hard Freeze
Crawl space vents are designed for summer ventilation. During a sustained hard freeze, close them to reduce cold air flowing under your house. Some homeowners place temporary insulation over open vents during severe cold events.
Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is
Before any freeze arrives, locate your main water shutoff valve and make sure every adult in your household knows where it is and how to use it. In an emergency, the first 30 seconds matter.
When to Call a Professional
Some frozen pipe situations are beyond what you can handle safely on your own:
- You cannot locate the frozen section
- The pipe is inside a wall, ceiling, or floor
- You see signs of water damage but cannot find where it is coming from
- The pipe has already burst
- Multiple faucets have no water at the same time
- Your main water line itself appears to be frozen
In these situations, a licensed plumber is the right call. If damage is extensive and you suspect water line damage or multiple affected pipes, our team can assess the full scope and give you a clear plan for repair.
