Burst Pipe Repair
Stop the flow, then mend the cracked pipe, often one that froze during the night.
Homeowner guide
How to Thaw Frozen Pipes Safely in Louisville, CO Homes
A pipe that freezes is a pipe in danger. Thawing it slowly and safely can prevent a split. The wrong method, like an open flame, can start a fire or damage the pipe.
By the Flatirons Express Plumbing team ·
Signs of a frozen pipe
The first sign is usually a faucet that gives only a trickle or nothing at all on a cold day. Frost on an exposed pipe, a bulge, or a sound of water that does not come out are other clues.
If only the hot or only the cold stops, check the pipes in the same area. Look in garages, along exterior walls, in crawl spaces and under sinks on outside walls.
Open the faucet and find the freeze
Open the faucet served by the frozen pipe. Water has a path to escape as the ice melts, and relieving pressure reduces the chance of a split. Follow the pipe from the faucet back toward the cold section, feeling for a spot colder than the rest.
If you can see a split or water is leaking, shut off the main valve immediately and call the line. Do not wait for thawing.
Safe ways to thaw
Apply gentle heat. A hair dryer set to warm works well, moving it along the pipe. A heating pad wrapped around the pipe, or towels soaked in hot water, can also help. A space heater placed safely away from flammable materials can warm a whole area.
Start at the faucet end and move toward the frozen section. Keep the faucet open until water flows at full strength, then check for leaks.
Safe and unsafe thawing methods
Slow, gentle heat is the rule. Anything with a flame is out.
| Method | Safe? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hair dryer on warm | Yes | Keep it moving and away from standing water |
| Heating pad or warm towels | Yes | Wrap the pipe and keep the faucet open |
| Space heater placed safely | With care | Never leave it unattended |
| Propane torch or open flame | No | Risks fire and a burst pipe |
What not to do
Never use a propane torch, a heat gun on high or any open flame. Heat that is too fast can boil the water in the pipe and cause a burst, and flames can ignite framing or insulation.
Do not use electric heat sources near standing water. Do not leave heaters unattended. If you cannot reach the frozen section, such as inside a wall, call for help.
After the thaw
Check the pipe and every joint for leaks. A split may leak only after it thaws. Run water at each fixture and look under sinks and in the basement. Watch the meter for movement with everything off.
If you find a split, shut the main valve and call about burst pipe repair. If water got on floors or walls, see water damage restoration.
Where pipes freeze in Colorado houses
Look first at pipes in unheated garages, crawl spaces, exterior walls and the area under a kitchen or bathroom sink on an outside wall. Pipes near a dryer vent, a cable or conduit entry or a gap in the foundation get a draft of cold air.
A house that sat empty over a cold weekend is at higher risk. So is a room addition with plumbing that runs through an unconditioned space. Knowing where your cold spots are lets you check them first when a faucet runs dry.
Thawing a pipe you cannot reach
If the frozen section is inside a wall or under a slab, there is no safe way to apply heat from outside the house. Raising the heat in the room, opening cabinet doors and leaving the faucet open sometimes lets the ice melt on its own over several hours.
If the pipe has not thawed after a reasonable time, call a plumber. Technicians have tools to find the freeze and thaw it with controlled heat. Do not cut into walls without help, because a split pipe behind drywall can release water suddenly.
Leaving home during cold weather
If you travel in winter, set the thermostat to a safe level, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls and ask someone to check the house. Some people shut off the main water and drain the lines before a long trip.
Know where your main valve is before you go. If you come home to a flooded house, turn the main off first, then call. See water damage restoration for what comes next once the water is stopped.
Keeping a freeze kit ready
Gather a hair dryer, a few towels, a flashlight, a small bucket and the number of a plumber in one spot. Add a note with the location of the main valve. When a cold night comes, you will not have to hunt for things.
Check your insulation at the start of each winter. Foam sleeves are cheap and quick to fit on exposed pipe. Seal gaps where wires or pipes enter the house with caulk or foam made for the purpose.
Preventing the next freeze
Insulate pipes in garages and crawl spaces, seal gaps where cold air enters and keep the heat on. On very cold nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls and let a faucet drip.
Disconnect hoses before winter. If you will be away, keep the heat above a safe level and ask someone to check the house. Know where your main valve is.
Quick answers
Frozen pipe questions
Look for water, stains or a drop in pressure after it thaws. Check the meter with everything off.
Yes, a hair dryer on warm is a common safe method. Do not use it near standing water.
On very cold nights, a slow drip helps keep water moving and can prevent a freeze.
No, but it can. Thawing slowly and checking for leaks is wise.
Services that connect to this topic
Water Damage Restoration
Dry and rebuild floors, drywall and basements after a leak, a frozen-pipe burst or a sump failure.
Leak Detection
Pinpoint a concealed leak in a wall, a ceiling or the buried supply line, so only the right spot gets opened.
Keep reading
Locating and closing the main shutoff
Every household member should know where the main water valve is and how it turns. Here is how to find it and what to do if it is stuck.
Winterizing outdoor faucets and sprinklers
A hose left on a spigot and a sprinkler line full of water are two of the most common causes of winter pipe damage. Here is the fall checklist.
Choosing between PEX and copper
Both materials work. The choice comes down to freeze tolerance, access, budget and what your house already has.
Frozen pipe and no water?
If you see a split, close the main valve and call. A dispatcher can connect you with a local contractor.