Freeze & Flood Protection
Frozen and burst pipe repair
If a pipe has frozen, shut off the main water valve, open the faucet it feeds, and warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or space heater, never an open flame. If the pipe has already split, keep the water off and call a plumber, who cuts out the damaged section, replaces it and checks the rest of the run.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- Licensed local plumbers
- Quote before work
Water expands as it freezes. In a closed pipe, pressure builds between the ice and the closed faucet, and the pipe splits, often somewhere other than where the ice formed. That's why a burst pipe usually starts leaking when it thaws, not when it freezes.
Pipes freeze where cold air reaches them: exterior walls, crawl spaces, unheated garages and attics, sink cabinets on outside walls, and hose bibs that aren't frost-free. Homes in mild-winter states are often hit hardest during rare cold snaps, because their pipes were never protected for hard cold.
Frozen pipes at a glance
- First step
- Shut off the main valve
- Never
- Thaw a pipe with an open flame
- Where it happens
- Exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages, attics, hose bibs
- Prevention
- Heat on, cabinets open, hoses off, lines insulated
Signs you need frozen pipes
- No water, or a trickle, from one faucet on a very cold morning
- Frost on an exposed pipe
- A bulge or split in a pipe
- Water dripping from a ceiling or wall after a cold night
- A hose bib that sprays inside the wall when you open it in spring
How the plumber handles it
- 1
Stop the water
The main is shut off and the damaged area is opened only as far as needed to reach the break.
- 2
Repair
The split section is cut out and replaced. Nearby pipe is checked, because one freeze often damages more than one spot.
- 3
Protect
Lines that froze once are rerouted inside the heated space, insulated or fitted with heat cable, and outdoor spigots can be upgraded to frost-free models.
- 4
Dry out
The plumber tells you what got wet so you can arrange drying before walls are closed, which prevents mold.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on what the plumber finds, so the plumber quotes on site. These are the main factors:
- Where the break is (open basement vs. inside a finished wall or ceiling)
- Number of breaks
- Pipe material
- Rerouting or insulating to prevent a repeat
- Water damage cleanup, usually a separate contractor
What you can do, and when to stop
Safe to do yourself
- Shut off the main and open faucets to drain the system
- Thaw an exposed, intact pipe with a hair dryer, working from the faucet back
- Open sink cabinets and let faucets drip on the coldest nights
Call a plumber
- Using a torch or open flame to thaw a pipe
- Turning the water back on before a split pipe is repaired
- Using electrical appliances near standing water
Frequently asked questions
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Pipes in unheated spaces are at risk once outdoor temperatures drop into the low 20s °F for several hours, sooner with wind. Pipes in exterior walls and crawl spaces freeze first.
Does homeowners insurance cover burst pipes?
Many policies cover sudden damage from a burst pipe but may exclude it if the home was left unheated or the leak was long-running. Check your policy and document the damage before cleanup.
Should I leave the heat on if I travel in winter?
Yes. Keep the thermostat at 55 °F or higher, and for a long trip consider shutting off the main and draining the lines.
Where to get frozen pipes
By state: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Related services
Need frozen pipes?
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