Frozen Pipes: What to Do
Signs You Have a Frozen Pipe
- A faucet produces no water, or just a weak trickle, when a cold snap is underway
- Frost visible on a section of exposed pipe
- A pipe that looks slightly bulged or swollen
- An unusual smell coming from a drain, which can mean ice is blocking the vent line
- Any sound of running water when every faucet in the house is off, which can mean a pipe has already cracked
How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe, Step by Step
- Open the faucet the frozen section feeds, both hot and cold sides, and leave it open. As the blockage melts, water will start to flow, and running water helps melt the rest of the ice.
- Find the frozen section. Look for the coldest, most exposed part of the run: near an exterior wall, in an unheated basement or crawlspace, or right where the line enters the house.
- Apply heat starting at the faucet end and work back toward the blockage. Use an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer on a low setting kept moving, or a portable space heater aimed at the area (kept well clear of anything flammable). Wrapping the pipe in towels soaked in hot water also works.
- Keep applying heat until full water pressure returns. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours depending on how long the pipe was frozen and how accessible it is.
- Check the rest of the house. If one pipe froze, others exposed to the same cold may have too. Run every faucet briefly to confirm.
If a Pipe Has Already Burst
- Shut off your main water valve immediately to stop the flooding. This is usually near where the main line enters the home, at the water meter, or in the basement.
- Open faucets to drain the remaining water out of the pipes and relieve pressure
- Turn off electricity to any affected area if water is near outlets, switches, or fixtures
- Call a plumber as soon as possible to repair the break
- Document the damage with photos before cleanup, and contact your homeowner's insurance. See our insurance disaster prep guide and disaster recovery guide
When to Call a Plumber
Call a licensed plumber if you can't locate the frozen section, can't safely access it (inside a wall or underground), see no improvement after a reasonable thawing effort, or if the pipe has already burst. A frozen main water line, the pipe that brings water into your home from the street or well, also generally needs a professional.
Free Fridge Sheet: Emergency Steps
FROZEN PIPE? DO THIS:
- ☐ Open the faucet the frozen section feeds and leave it open
- ☐ Locate the coldest, most exposed section of the run
- ☐ Apply heat at the faucet end first, work back toward the blockage
- ☐ Use only electric heat: heating pad, hair dryer, space heater. NEVER open flame
- ☐ Keep heating until full pressure returns; check other faucets in the house
- ☐ If it's already burst: shut off the main water valve, then call a plumber
- ☐ Main shutoff valve location: _________________________
Recommended Gear
These cover the actual thawing step, a temporary fix if a pipe already split, and cleanup if water got loose: the three moments where having the right tool on hand (not after a store run) actually matters.
Electric Heat Gun
A controllable electric alternative to a hair dryer, with more heat output for a stubborn freeze. Keep it moving and never let it sit against the pipe, since prolonged direct heat can damage plastic pipe or scorch nearby materials.
- Adjustable temperature settings
- Faster than a hair dryer on a badly frozen section
- Electric, not open flame: safe for indoor use with normal care
Pipe Repair Clamp Kit
A temporary fix for a small crack or pinhole leak after a freeze, buying you time until a plumber can make a permanent repair. Not a substitute for shutting off your main valve first if the leak is significant.
- Fits common residential pipe diameters
- No soldering or special tools required
- Keep one in your utility area before you need it
Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum
For cleanup after a burst pipe: pulls standing water off floors and out of carpet fast, which matters for limiting water damage and mold risk while you wait for repairs. It's a cleanup tool, not a repair or prevention tool, and a larger flood may still need a professional water-restoration service on top of it.
- Handles standing water, not just debris
- Useful well beyond frozen-pipe cleanup: general flood and spill cleanup
- Look for a model with a large-capacity tank if you have a full basement to cover
To catch a leak before it floods a room, see our best water leak detectors guide. To keep it from freezing in the first place, see at what temperature do pipes freeze.
Frozen Pipes FAQ
Can I use a hair dryer to thaw a frozen pipe?
Yes. An electric hair dryer on a low setting, kept moving along the pipe, is one of the standard safe methods, along with an electric heating pad or a portable space heater kept away from flammable materials.
Why shouldn't I use a blowtorch on a frozen pipe?
Open flame is a leading cause of house fires started during pipe-thawing attempts, and the uncontrolled, high heat can also damage or crack the pipe itself, particularly plastic pipe. Stick to electric heat sources.
Which end of a frozen pipe should I heat first?
Start at the faucet end and work back toward the blockage. This gives melted water and steam somewhere to go as you thaw, rather than trapping pressure between two ice blockages.
What do I do if a pipe already burst?
Shut off your main water valve immediately to stop the flooding, open faucets to drain remaining water, and call a plumber. Document the damage with photos for your insurance claim.
How long does it take to thaw a frozen pipe?
It varies widely: anywhere from a few minutes for a lightly frozen, accessible section to a couple of hours for a longer or harder freeze. If you see no improvement after a reasonable effort, or can't access the frozen section, call a plumber.