How do I know a pipe is frozen?
The clearest sign is no water, or only a trickle, from a tap on a very cold day while other taps still work. You may also see frost on an exposed pipe, a bulge in it, or hear no flow at all when you open the tap. Pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces, and garages freeze first. It is one of the most common reasons people look for pipe repair help in Eau Claire, WI.
What should I do in the first hour?
Keep the tap open, find the frozen section, and warm it slowly. Moving water helps melt the ice and relieves pressure in the pipe.
- Open the tap on the frozen line, both hot and cold, so water can flow once the ice melts.
- Find the frozen spot. Follow the pipe back from the tap and feel for the coldest section, often where it runs along an outside wall.
- Warm it gently with a hair dryer, a heating pad, or towels soaked in warm water. Start near the tap and work back.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks so warm room air reaches the pipes.
- If the pipe is cracked or leaking, shut off the main water valve and call (715) 800-0086.
What should I never do with a frozen pipe?
- Never use an open flame, torch, lighter, or candle. It can start a fire and can make the pipe burst.
- Do not use electrical devices near standing water.
- Do not leave a space heater running unattended.
- Do not hit the pipe to break the ice.
What should I check once water is flowing again?
When the water comes back, the job is not quite done. Freezing can crack a pipe without the water showing until it thaws.
| What you see | Urgency | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Water spraying or dripping from the pipe | Now | Shut off the main valve and call |
| Damp spot on a wall or ceiling | Now | Shut off the water and call |
| Bulge or split in the pipe | Now | Keep the water off and call |
| Low pressure at that tap | Soon | Call to have the line checked |
| Normal flow, no drips | Watch | Check again over the next day |
What should I do over the next 24 hours?
- Check the thawed pipe and the area around it a few times for drips or damp spots.
- Let that tap drip slowly overnight if the temperature stays very low.
- Keep the heat steady day and night.
- Leave cabinet doors open on outside walls until the cold snap passes.
- Wrap the pipe with foam insulation once it is dry.
How do I stop it happening again?
Most frozen pipes happen in the same few spots each winter. Insulating those pipes, sealing drafts around them, and disconnecting garden hoses in fall make a big difference. Our guide on how to winterize your pipes in Eau Claire has a full checklist. If a pipe has already split, see how to protect your floors and walls, and read more about frozen pipe repair in Eau Claire.
Pipe frozen right now? Call (715) 800-0086.
What else do people ask?
How long does it take a frozen pipe to thaw?
It depends on how cold the pipe is and how much of it is frozen. A short exposed section can thaw within an hour of gentle heat. A pipe inside a wall or crawl space can take much longer, which is a good reason to call a plumber.
Will a frozen pipe always burst?
No, but the risk is real. Ice pushes water pressure up between the ice and the closed tap, which can split the pipe. Opening the tap relieves some of that pressure.
Can I use a space heater to thaw a pipe?
Yes, if you keep it well away from water, curtains, and anything that can burn, and never leave it running unattended. Do not use it in a wet area.
Should I call a plumber even if the water comes back?
If you see drips, damp spots, or a bulge in the pipe once the water returns, yes. A thawed pipe can have a crack that leaks later.
What if more than one tap has no water?
That can mean the freeze is near where the water enters the home, or in the line from the street. Call so a plumber can find it.