Frozen Pipe? What to Do Right Now (and What Never to Do)

A frozen pipe is a plumbing emergency that can turn into a flooded home within minutes if it bursts. Cold water expands as it freezes, and the pressure that builds up behind an ice blockage is what splits copper, PVC, and PEX pipes alike. If you suspect a pipe in your home is frozen right now, the steps below are designed to protect your home and your safety while you wait for water to start flowing again — or for a plumber to arrive.

Step 1: Shut Off the Water Supply

Before doing anything else, locate your home's main water shutoff valve. It's typically found where the main line enters the house — near the water meter, in a basement, crawl space, garage, or utility closet. Turn it clockwise until it stops. This single step won't unfreeze the pipe, but it limits how much water can escape if the pipe has already cracked and simply hasn't started leaking yet.

If you don't know where your shutoff valve is, find it today — before any pipe freezes. It's one of the most useful things a homeowner can know in advance.

Step 2: Open the Faucet Connected to the Frozen Pipe

Open the faucet that the frozen section feeds, including both the hot and cold handles. This relieves pressure as the ice begins to melt and gives trapped water somewhere to go instead of building up against the blockage. Even a trickle is a good sign that water is moving again.

Step 3: Locate the Frozen Section

Walk the pipe's likely path and look for a section that's visibly frosted, noticeably colder to the touch, or bulging. Frozen pipes are most common in unheated spaces: crawl spaces, attics, garages, exterior walls, and anywhere pipes run close to an outside wall or an unheated room.

Step 4: Apply Gentle, Even Heat

• Use a hair dryer on low heat, an electric heating pad, or towels soaked in hot water and wrapped around the pipe.
• Start thawing from the end closest to the open faucet and work toward the blockage, so melting ice has somewhere to drain.
• Keep any electrical device moving and never let it rest directly against the pipe or near pooled water.
• Check the area periodically for cracks or leaks as the ice melts — this is often when a hidden split first reveals itself.

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What Never to Do

Certain common instincts make frozen pipe situations worse, sometimes dangerously so.

• Never use an open flame. Blowtorches, propane torches, or any open flame near a pipe can scorch framing, ignite insulation, or damage the pipe itself, and have caused house fires. This applies to metal and plastic pipes alike.
• Never use electrical heating devices near standing water. If there's any water on the floor, in a crawl space, or dripping nearby, do not plug in a space heater, hair dryer, or heating pad until the area is dry or you've shut off power to that circuit at the breaker.
• Never leave a heat source unattended. Space heaters and heat lamps aimed at pipes should be watched continuously, not left running while you leave the house or go to sleep.
• Never force a frozen faucet handle. If a handle won't turn, stop — forcing it can snap internal components and turn a freeze into a leak.
• Never ignore a sudden drop in water pressure or a damp wall. These are often the first signs of a break happening inside a wall or ceiling, out of sight.

Signs the Pipe Has Already Burst

If you hear water running inside a wall when no faucet is open, see water stains spreading across a ceiling or wall, notice warped flooring, or find puddles with no clear faucet source, assume the pipe has already split. Shut off the main water valve immediately if you haven't already, and shut off electricity to any affected area at the breaker panel if water is near outlets, switches, or fixtures — never step into standing water to reach a breaker panel yourself if there's any doubt about safety.

Printable Checklist: Frozen Pipe Emergency Steps

• Shut off the main water supply valve
• Open the affected faucet (hot and cold)
• Locate the frozen section of pipe
• Apply gentle, indirect heat — never an open flame
• Keep electrical heat sources away from standing water
• Watch for cracks, drips, or bulging as ice melts
• Shut off electricity at the breaker if water reaches outlets or fixtures
• Photograph any damage before cleanup begins
• Call a licensed plumber if the pipe doesn't thaw within a couple of hours or if it has burst

After the Water Is Shut Off: What Comes Next

Once the immediate danger is controlled, document everything. Take photos and videos of the affected pipe, any standing water, and damaged walls, flooring, or belongings before you start drying or moving things — this record matters if you file an insurance claim later. Move furniture and valuables away from wet areas, and start running fans or opening windows if weather permits, since trapped moisture behind walls can lead to mold within a day or two.

If the damage is significant, you'll likely need both a plumber to repair the pipe and a water-damage cleanup crew to dry out the structure properly. If you're not sure where to start, our water damage guides by city can help you understand what local cleanup typically involves and what questions to ask before hiring anyone.

Preventing a Repeat

Once things are stable, take a few minutes to reduce the odds of this happening again. Keep cabinet doors open under sinks on exterior walls during cold snaps so warm room air can reach the pipes, let faucets drip slightly during extreme cold, and keep your thermostat set no lower than 55°F (about 13°C) even when you're away from home. Pipes in unheated crawl spaces or attics benefit from foam pipe insulation sleeves, which are inexpensive and simple to install.

FAQ

How long does it take for a frozen pipe to burst?

There's no fixed timeline. A pipe can split within a few hours of freezing or hold for days, depending on the water pressure trapped inside, the pipe material, and how cold the section gets. Treat any suspected freeze as urgent rather than waiting to see what happens.

Is it safe to use a hair dryer on a frozen pipe?

A hair dryer on its lowest heat setting can be used on exposed metal or plastic pipe if you keep it moving and never let it sit in one spot. Avoid using it near standing water, in damp crawl spaces, or on any outlet that isn't GFCI-protected.

Will my homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?

Many homeowners policies cover sudden, accidental water damage from a burst pipe, but coverage details, exclusions, and deductibles vary by policy and insurer. Review your specific policy or ask your agent, since this is general information and not legal or insurance advice.

Should I turn off my water heater too?

If you've shut off the main water supply and don't expect to restore it quickly, turning off a gas water heater's pilot or switching an electric unit off can prevent it from running dry and causing damage, though this is a secondary step after handling the frozen pipe itself.