Emergencies
Frozen pipes — thaw safely, prevent a burst
First: if a pipe has split or water is leaking, shut off the main water now. If pipes are frozen but not broken, act gently, stay safe, and get help fast if water will not flow.
First 5 minutes — shut off your water
If water is flooding, stopping it comes first. Here's the fastest safe order.
- 1 Shut off the water main. Find your main shut-off valve — usually where the water line enters, near the street, the basement, or the meter — and turn it fully clockwise to stop the flow.
- 2 Stay safe. Keep clear of standing water near outlets or appliances. If you smell gas or see water near electrical panels, leave and call emergency services first.
- 3 Limit the damage. Open a low faucet to drain the lines, move valuables, and soak up water you can reach safely. Take a few photos for your records.
- 4 Get a licensed plumber. Get matched, free, with a licensed 24/7 plumber near you. Ask for the price in writing before work starts — you compare and choose who to hire.
What to do right now
- If a pipe is leaking, bulging, or has already split, shut off your main water now. If you are not sure where it is, use this quick guide: how to shut off your water.
- If water is near outlets, cords, appliances, or your electrical panel, leave that area and call your local emergency number first. Do not stand in water near electricity.
- If there is no leak yet and you think a pipe is frozen, open the faucet served by that pipe so pressure can release.
- Warm the area gently only if it is safe to do so. Use house heat, warm air from a hair dryer on a low setting, or warm towels. Do not use an open flame, torch, grill, or any fuel-burning heater indoors.
- If you cannot get water flowing, if you see a crack, or if the pipe is in a wall or ceiling, contact a licensed, insured 24/7 plumber through MainLine Match for a free match.
When frozen pipes are a true emergency
Frozen pipes can turn into a flood very fast. It is an emergency if a pipe has burst, you see active leaking, a wall or ceiling is wet or bulging, there is no water anywhere in the home, or you cannot safely reach the frozen area.
It is also urgent if the frozen pipe is near an exterior wall, crawl space, attic, garage, or unheated basement, because those are common places for a split to happen. If one pipe thaws and starts leaking, more damage may show up as ice melts.
It may be able to wait a short time if one faucet has weak or no flow, there is no visible leak, and you can safely warm the area while watching it closely. But if you are unsure, treat it as urgent. Water damage gets expensive quickly.
How to thaw a frozen pipe more safely
This is general information only, not plumbing or safety advice. If you feel unsure, stop and call a licensed plumber.
Start near the faucet and warm the pipe slowly, then move toward the colder section. Keep the faucet open so melting ice and pressure can escape. Gentle heat is the goal. Sudden, high heat can damage the pipe.
Do not use a torch, lighter, propane heater, charcoal grill, or boiling water. Do not break open walls unless a licensed professional tells you to. If you smell gas at any time, leave immediately and call your local emergency number first.
Signs a pipe may already be damaged include a crack, a bulge, staining on drywall, dripping after thawing starts, or water that comes back briefly and then stops again. If you see any of that, shut off the water and get a plumber.
What it may cost
Honest range: emergency frozen-pipe service often starts around $150 to $400 for a simple visit or thaw, and can run about $300 to $900+ if access is hard, multiple pipes are involved, or a burst pipe needs repair. If water damage cleanup, drywall opening, insulation replacement, or pipe replacement is needed, total costs can climb into the high hundreds or several thousand dollars.
These are not quotes. The real price depends on what is frozen, whether a pipe split, how easy it is to reach, what parts are needed, your area, and the time of day. Nights, weekends, and holidays usually cost more.
Before work starts, ask for the price in writing. Be careful with vague pricing, scare tactics, cash-only demands, or pressure to approve a very large repair immediately. You stay in control: confirm the price before work starts, choose who to hire, and confirm the work is done before paying the final amount.
For more on typical ranges, see plumbing costs.
Why pipes freeze and where it usually happens
Pipes usually freeze when cold air reaches plumbing that is not well insulated or not being warmed enough. Common spots are outside walls, crawl spaces, attics, garages, under sinks on exterior walls, and basements with drafts.
It can also happen when temperatures drop fast, cabinet doors stay closed around sink plumbing on cold exterior walls, hoses are left attached outside, or the home is left with low heat while people are away. In some areas, local building styles and weather make certain pipe runs more likely to freeze.
After the immediate problem is handled, a licensed plumber may suggest repairs such as replacing damaged pipe, improving insulation, sealing drafts, or rerouting vulnerable pipe. What is allowed and recommended can vary by local code and home layout.
How MainLine Match helps
MainLine Match is a free matching service, not a plumbing company, plumber, or contractor. We do not perform plumbing work. We help connect households with licensed, insured 24/7 emergency plumbers near them.
When you request help through MainLine Match, we ask only for basic contact and problem details: your name, phone, optional email, problem type, ZIP code, and preferred language. The service is free for the household.
If this is happening now, start here: emergency plumbing help. When a plumber calls or arrives, verify the license and insurance, ask for the price in writing, and make sure you understand what work is urgent now versus what can wait.
If a frozen pipe is leaking or split, shut off the main water now; if it is only frozen, warm it gently, avoid flames, and get a licensed 24/7 plumber fast if water will not flow or you see damage.
Common questions
How do I know if a frozen pipe has burst?
Common signs are a visible crack, bulging pipe, water dripping as thawing begins, wet drywall or ceilings, or water stains appearing suddenly. If you think a pipe split, shut off the main water and call a licensed plumber.
Can I pour hot water on a frozen pipe?
It is safer to avoid sudden high heat. Gentle warming is usually better than very hot water, which can crack some materials or create a mess if the pipe has already split.
Should I leave the faucet open when a pipe is frozen?
Often yes, opening the faucet served by that pipe can help release pressure while the pipe warms. If you see any leaking, shut off the water supply and get help.
When should I call a 24/7 plumber for frozen pipes?
Call right away if a pipe is leaking, you cannot get water flowing, the frozen pipe is hidden in a wall or ceiling, or you are not sure how to thaw it safely. Fast help can prevent a burst and reduce water damage.
Will homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe from freezing?
Sometimes, but coverage depends on the policy and the cause of the loss. Ask your insurer directly, because rules and responsibility can vary by policy and area.
Is MainLine Match free?
Yes. MainLine Match is free for the household. We are a matching service that helps connect you with participating plumbers; we do not do the plumbing work ourselves.