Frozen Pipes: What to Do (and What Not to Do) Before You Call
When temperatures drop, water in a pipe can freeze and expand, and a frozen pipe can crack or burst. This guide explains how to tell if a pipe is frozen, how to thaw it safely, what to avoid, and when to stop and bring in a professional. LocalRepairLine is a referral service, not a contractor, and this is general information, not a substitute for a plumber.
If a pipe has already burst
Shut off the main water valve right away so the flooding stops. If water is near electrical outlets, panels or appliances, stay out of the water and switch off power to that area at the breaker only if you can reach the panel without stepping in water. If you can't do that safely, leave the area and call your utility or 911.
Signs a pipe may be frozen
- A faucet runs only a trickle or gives no water at all.
- Frost on an exposed pipe, or a pipe that feels very cold to the touch.
- Strange smells from a drain or faucet, which can mean flow is blocked.
- Bulging or a visible crack in a pipe.
- Only one fixture affected often points to a single frozen section, while no water anywhere can mean the main line or meter area.
Where pipes freeze most often
- Pipes in unheated spaces: basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages.
- Pipes along exterior walls, especially if the wall has little insulation.
- Outdoor spigots and the lines that feed them.
- Pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls.
How to thaw a frozen pipe safely
- Open the faucet. Leave it open so melting water has a place to go and pressure can ease.
- Find the frozen section. Check exposed pipes for frost or a spot that feels colder than the rest.
- Apply gentle heat. A hair dryer on a low setting, a heating pad or warm towels work. Start near the faucet end and move toward the frozen section.
- Keep going until water flows normally. Then check the pipe and joints for leaks while it's under pressure.
- Check other faucets. If one pipe froze, others nearby may be partly frozen too.
What not to do
- Never use an open flame, such as a torch, a lighter or a propane heater, on a pipe. It is a fire risk and can damage the pipe.
- Do not use a high-heat tool that makes a pipe too hot to touch, since sudden heat can crack it.
- Do not use electrical devices while standing in water.
- Do not ignore a pipe that has thawed. A cracked pipe can leak once the ice melts, so watch for drips and damp spots.
How to prevent frozen pipes
- Keep your home heated, even when you're away. Many guides suggest not letting the indoor temperature fall below about 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so warm room air reaches the pipes.
- During a hard freeze, let a faucet drip slightly. Moving water is harder to freeze.
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses and, where your home has one, shut off and drain the outdoor spigot line.
- Add pipe insulation to exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces and garages, and seal drafts near pipes.
- Know where your main water shutoff is before you need it.
When to stop and call a professional
- You can't find the frozen section, or it's inside a wall or under a floor.
- The pipe is cracked, bulging or leaking.
- The pipe won't thaw after safe attempts, or it freezes again.
- Water has reached electrical equipment, insulation or flooring.
- You smell gas or see any sign of an electrical hazard. Leave the area and call your utility or 911.
What to tell the plumber
- Which fixtures have no water or low pressure.
- Where the pipe runs and whether it's in an exterior wall, basement or crawl space.
- Whether the main water was shut off and when.
- What you already tried to thaw it.
Still no water, or a leak?
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