What You Need to Know About Frozen Water Pipes

Frozen pipes present an invisible threat, one that you might not recognize until the weather warms up. If you suspect pipes in your home have been exposed to freezing temperatures, or water is not flowing through a faucet normally, follow these steps to help reduce the potential for water damage.

What to do if You Have a Frozen Pipe

Close the main water shutoff valve as soon as possible and before temperatures rise above freezing.
Open all faucets, including those outside, to drain remaining water from pipes.
Have buckets and towels available to clean up leaks.
Slowly turn water back on and inspect for leaks. If there are leaks, be prepared to turn the water off immediately.
Inspect pipes for damage in areas like attics and crawl spaces.
Never use torches or heat guns for thawing.
As temperatures increase above freezing, watch and listen for signs of water leaks.
If there is pipe damage, call a licensed plumber for repairs.

Why is a Frozen Pipe Concerning?

When water freezes, it expands, putting unwanted pressure on your plumbing.
The force exerted from the expansion can cause a pipe to burst, regardless of the strength of the material.
You may not know you have a burst pipe until temperatures rise above freezing. Once thawing begins, leaking and flooding can occur.

Which Pipes are Most at Risk?

Outdoor hose hookups and faucets.
Swimming pool supply lines.
Lawn sprinkler lines.
Water pipes in unheated, interior locations such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Pipes running against exterior walls with little or no insulation.