Warning: If you are a tenant or landlord with frozen pipes, don't try to thaw them yourself. Call a plumber or your property manager. Your property manager should have a 24/hour maintenance line to take emergency repair calls and get someone out to you right away.
If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
A professionally prepared lease agreement will often require the tenant to keep the unit heated to 60 degrees. If the pipes freeze, then under this lease agreement, the tenant may be responsible not only for their personal property but also the damage to the leased premises.
If frozen pipes are exposed and visible, use a hair dryer or space heater to thaw ice blockages. Do not use an open flame. Keep space heaters far enough away from walls and flammable materials to avoid fire risk! Examine exposed pipes for leaks.
If damage is less serious, costs may come in around a few hundred dollars. If freezing causes pipes to burst, repairs will likely be more costly, with possible charges of $500 or even upwards of $1,000 possible depending on the the plumber and the damage.
Pipes typically burst when exposed to extremely low temperatures for an extended period of time (anywhere from 1-3 days depending on temperature). This is especially true for pipes located on exterior walls.
Pipe replacement averages $1,252 and ranges from $371 to $2,133. Your plumbing repair pro can assess your home and estimate the overall cost. Pipes are the circulatory system of your house. They deliver drinking water, clean dishes, fill the bathtub, and send wastewater on its way.
First open all the faucets inside the home one-quarter turn and leave them open until full water pressure is restored. Locate the frozen section(s) of pipe. Likely spots include where pipes run along exterior walls or enter your home through the foundation. Thaw slowly.
And once the temperature outside dips below 32F, unprotected pipes are at a greater risk of freezing and potentially bursting. That said, it's still possible for your pipes to thaw without bursting. The key is to release the pressure and allow the pipes to thaw slowly.
The job goes more quickly by pouring hot water or a mixture of vinegar, baking soda and salt water down the drain. Space heaters, hair dryers and heating pads are highly efficient tools for unfreezing a drain pipe. If a frozen drain line ruptures, turn off your home's main water supply.
As long as your frozen pipes haven't burst, a plumber will likely charge a flat fee of around $100 to thaw them out. However, the cost to repair burst pipes tends to be much higher and will ultimately depend on the extent of the damage. Expect to pay $500 on average, which includes the diagnosis and the repair itself.
Frozen water pipes aren't life threatening, however frozen or broken water pipes do cause damage to homes each winter. If pipes in the walls aren't properly insulated, they can freeze and rupture. (An 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water a day, soaking floors, rugs, and furniture.)
Most homeowner and commercial property insurance policies, in general, will cover damage from a frozen pipe that bursts.
We don't recommend the waiting game because the longer your pipes are frozen the more likely it is that they could burst. Burst pipes lead to water damage and water damage may result in structural and property damage, not to mention mold growth.
Smaller, slower leaks don't often constitute emergencies, but if you're not skilled in the art of pipe repair, you should contact a plumbing professional as soon as possible. Small leaks in pipes can become big leaks in pipes in shockingly short periods of time, so don't wait to call about a pipe problem.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Moving water keeps pipes from freezing. Find shut off valves for emergencies. Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Open cupboards and vanities to warm pipes.
As temperatures continue to drop, so does the amount of time required for pipes to freeze completely and eventually burst. Depending on various factors, the water inside pipes can start freezing in just 6 hours, though it's more common to see damage and issues after one to three days of subfreezing temperatures.
Should You Drip Faucets In Cold Weather? Yes, according to the Red Cross, the short answer to that question is you should.
Turn on all faucets: Checking each faucet in your home will help you narrow down your search. The faucets that have little or no water pressure likely have a frozen pipe in their supply line. If every faucet is showing low water pressure, the frozen pipe may be near the water meter.
If your pipes have been frozen for more than two days, shut down your home's water supply. Locate the frozen length using touch, sight and sound. Make sure the pipe hasn't burst, and open indoor faucets. Unfreeze the pipe using a hair dryer, heat tape, space heater or heating pad.
Your pipes will eventually begin to thaw on their own once the temperatures rise above freezing.
Accidental water damage that occurs as a result of a sudden, unexpected occurrence like a burst pipe is often covered by a homeowners insurance policy. In addition, cleaning, repair or replacement of wood flooring, drywall and even furniture due to water damage as a result of a burst pipe typically is covered.
Anticipating Plumbing Costs per Hour: What to Expect
In 2025, homeowners in the U.S. can expect to pay an average of $90 per hour for plumbing services, though rates generally span from $45 to $200 based on service type and complexity.
On average, a small-scale pipe replacement could take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Just a Few Hours: For minor pipe damage or replacement of easily accessible pipe sections, professional plumbers could complete the job in just a few hours.