Open the faucet
Turn on the affected faucet so melting water can flow out and pressure can escape.
Frozen pipe, or no water coming out of the faucet?
A frozen pipe can split and flood the building when it thaws. Open the faucet, warm the pipe gently with no open flame, and know where the main shutoff is. If you cannot thaw it or it has cracked, call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent plumber does the work.
Am I in the right place?Yes if a faucet has little or no water in freezing weather, or a pipe looks frosted or bulged.
Is this urgent?Yes. A frozen pipe can burst at any time, and the leak often starts as it thaws. If water is already spraying, see burst pipe.
What do I do next?Find the main water shutoff first, then call 833-877-1717 with the ZIP code and which fixtures have no water.
Freezing is most common in pipes along exterior walls, in attics, crawl spaces, garages and under sinks on outside walls.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 13, 2026 · Review standards
What you can safely do
Warm the pipe gently
Use a hair dryer, a heating pad or warm towels, starting near the faucet and working back. Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air in.
Be ready to shut off the water
Know exactly where the main valve is. If the pipe cracked, it will start leaking as it thaws.
Never use an open flame
Do not use a torch, propane heater, kerosene heater or charcoal to thaw pipes. They cause fires and carbon monoxide. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, and never leave them running unattended. If you cannot reach the frozen section, or it is inside a wall, call a plumber. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or anyone feels dizzy or sick, get everyone outside and call 911.
Signs a pipe has frozen or burst
No water or a trickle
One faucet or one side of the building has no flow during freezing weather.
Frost or a bulge on the pipe
Visible frost, or a section that looks swollen or split.
New water stain or dripping
A thawing pipe inside a wall or ceiling has started leaking. Shut off the main water.
No heat in the building
If the heat is out, pipes are at risk everywhere. See no heat.
Repair and prevention
Thawing and repair
A plumber can thaw pipes safely, find any splits, replace damaged sections and pressure-test the system.
Preventing the next freeze
Insulating exposed pipes, sealing drafts and keeping heat on all reduce the risk. During a cold snap, letting faucets drip slowly can help.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code, home or business
- Which faucets or fixtures have no water
- Where the frozen pipe is, if known
- Whether any water is leaking yet
- Whether the building has heat
- Where the main water valve is
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles frozen pipe repair in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Frozen pipe questions
How do I thaw a frozen pipe?
Open the faucet, then apply gentle heat with a hair dryer, heating pad or warm towels, working from the faucet back toward the frozen area. Never use an open flame.
How do I stop pipes from freezing?
Keep the heat on, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls, let faucets drip slightly during extreme cold, and insulate pipes in unheated spaces.
What temperature do pipes freeze at?
Pipes in unheated spaces are at risk when outdoor temperatures fall well below freezing, especially overnight and in wind. Pipes on exterior walls freeze first.
Can I call about frozen pipes at night?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Will a frozen pipe always burst?
No, but it often does. Pressure builds between the ice and the closed faucet. Watch for leaks as it thaws and have the main valve ready.
What if the frozen pipe is inside a wall?
Raise the heat in the building and call a plumber. Opening walls or applying heat inside them should be left to a professional.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.