Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 produced some of the most complex interior water losses in Houston’s history. The claims process that followed revealed how poorly prepared most policyholders — and many carriers — were for the scope of what happened.
Gulf Coast homes have supply lines in locations that would not be acceptable in northern climates: attic runs, garage walls, and exterior-facing cavities without insulation. When temperatures stay below freezing for more than 24 hours, these are the first locations to fail.
In most Gulf Coast residential construction, the primary water supply lines run through the attic before dropping into the living space. Attic pipes are among the first to freeze because attic insulation does not typically protect exposed pipe runs, and attic temperatures can fall to ambient outside temperatures quickly.
When an attic line fails, water releases from above and travels down through ceiling assemblies, interior walls, and into floor structures before becoming visible. By the time a homeowner sees water, the damage has typically already affected multiple floors and wall cavities.
Supply and drain lines routed through exterior walls or unheated garage spaces are vulnerable at sustained temperatures below freezing. These failures typically produce more localized damage than attic failures but can be harder to detect because the release may occur inside a wall cavity without immediate exterior evidence.
Hose bibs and outdoor fixtures are also common freeze failure points. If the supply valve inside the wall was not shut off and drained, the freeze-thaw cycle will burst the fitting or pipe where it passes through the exterior assembly.
Some policies include a provision that may reduce or exclude coverage if the home was unheated at the time of a freeze loss. During Uri, widespread power outages removed the policyholder’s ability to maintain heat regardless of intent. Documenting the power outage dates in your area and any steps taken to winterize is important if this argument arises.
Policies typically have provisions that may affect coverage if a home has been vacant for an extended period — often 30 to 60 days. If your home was vacant at the time of the freeze, review your policy language carefully and document the circumstances before the carrier raises it.
The most common underpayment issue in freeze claims is scope limited to visible water damage. Forensic moisture mapping of wall cavities, ceiling assemblies, and sub-floor spaces regularly reveals damage two to three times the area visible at first inspection. This is not disputed after the fact — it requires instrumented documentation at the time of the claim.
The initial claim review is at no charge. If you experienced losses during Uri or any subsequent freeze event and are not confident the claim was fully resolved, we can assess where things stand.