When to call a plumber for a frozen pipe?

Author: Orpha Stroman  |  Last update: Thursday, May 1, 2025

If you wake up on a bitterly cold morning and water doesn't come out when you turn on the faucet, you could have a frozen pipe somewhere in your system. This is the time to call an emergency plumber, even if it's outside regular business hours. You may have a frozen pipe, but that doesn't mean it has burst yet.

Should I call a plumber if pipes are frozen?

If your pipes freeze:

If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out call a plumber. If you detect your water pipes have frozen, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house. NEVER try to thaw a pipe with a torch or open flame.

When should I be worried about frozen pipes?

As mentioned in the previous section, once the outside temperature drops below freezing (32°F), your pipes are at risk of freezing. However, the chances of damage increase as temperatures drop to 20°F or below.

Can I just wait for frozen pipes to thaw?

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.

How long can pipes be frozen before they bust?

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.

Frozen Water Pipe - How to Test Your House for Freezing Pipes

Should I turn off water if pipes are frozen?

Thaw Frozen Pipes

Turn off the water immediately at the main shut off valve. Open the faucet so that water will flow through the pipe once the area is melted. This will help melt more ice.

Can pipes unfreeze without bursting?

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.

How to unfreeze pipes you can't see?

Apply heat to the frozen area

There are several ways to do this. You can wrap the pipes in thermostatically controlled heat tape, or you can use an external heat source such as a hair dryer or space heater.

Will pouring hot water down drain unfreeze pipes?

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.

What do I do if my pipes are still frozen after 2 days?

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.

Do you drip faucets during a freeze?

Should You Drip Faucets In Cold Weather? Yes, according to the Red Cross, the short answer to that question is you should.

Do frozen pipes fix on their own?

Pipes will eventually unfreeze on their own naturally, but this takes far more time and before thawing occurs the freezing could become much worse. This could eventually lead to the pipe bursting and causing significantly more damage. It's better to proactively thaw a frozen pipe size than let it persist.

How do you tell if pipes are partially frozen?

One of the first signs homeowners will notice is a lack of water coming out of their faucets. If multiple faucets are not producing water, it is time to seek plumbing repair. When this is occurring, it means the water has frozen in part of the pipe and the pressure is no longer high enough to push water through.

Is a frozen pipe an emergency?

If you wake up on a bitterly cold morning and water doesn't come out when you turn on the faucet, you could have a frozen pipe somewhere in your system. This is the time to call an emergency plumber, even if it's outside regular business hours.

Is it worth calling a plumber?

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.

How much does it cost to have a plumber unfreeze your pipes?

Burst pipes will need to be replaced and a plumber is best equipped to handle the job. The average hourly plumber rate is around $330, depending on where you live and the size of your job. As long as your frozen pipes haven't burst, a plumber will likely charge a flat fee of around $100 to thaw them out.

How long do pipes take to unfreeze?

Be prepared to wait at least 30 to 60 minutes. When the pipe begins to thaw, water will start flowing at a faster rate through the open faucet. Even after the water pressure is fully restored, it's recommended to keep the heat on the pipe to ensure the ice in the line is completely melted.

Should you open faucets if pipes are frozen?

Thawing Frozen Pipes

While you wait, reduce water pressure by opening all the faucets inside the home one-quarter turn. Water will begin to trickle out, helping the ice to thaw. Remember to close all faucets after full water pressure is restored.

Will turning up the heat unfreeze pipes?

Turn the Heat Upin the Property: You can attempt to thaw the frozen pipe by increasing the temperature in the property. Turning the thermostat up may be all that is needed to allow the ice blockage to melt.

How do you unfreeze pipes without bursting them?

If you have frozen pipes in your home, it can be tempting to try to heat them up as quickly as possible, but this could cause them to burst. Instead, use tools like a hairdryer, space heater, and even your home's thermostat to gradually warm the pipes.

Will running hot water unfreeze pipes?

Pipe-thawing options: There are several things you can do to thaw your home's pipes. Here's a list: Probably the most popular and safest pipe-thawing option is to use hot water.

Can pipes freeze without bursting?

Although common, frozen pipes do not always burst. However, the ice can increase this risk when it thaws and is usually worsened as it raises pressure further which makes pipe bursting common near winter's end or springtime. Furthermore, the more water flowing through the pipe, the greater chance of rupture.

What to do if your pipes freeze overnight?

What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze
  1. Shut off the water main leading into the building.
  2. Open any faucets connected to frozen pipes to relieve pressure. ...
  3. If frozen pipes are exposed and visible, use a hair dryer or space heater to thaw ice blockages. ...
  4. Examine exposed pipes for leaks.

How to find where your pipes are frozen?

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.

Do you run hot or cold water when it freezes?

Cold Weather Precautions
  1. It's important to remember that both hot and cold water pipes may freeze. ...
  2. Let the water run — Leaving a small but steady stream of lukewarm water running will keep the water moving through the pipes.

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