What should I do about frozen pipes?
A faucet that trickles or gives nothing during a cold snap, frost on exposed pipe, or bulged pipe in a crawlspace or exterior wall.
This one can get worse fast. Call before it spreads.
Key takeaways
- This is an emergency. Shut things down and call a plumber now rather than waiting.
- Most likely cause: Uninsulated pipe in an exterior wall, crawlspace, or attic.
- Do this first: Open the affected faucet so pressure can release as the ice melts.
- Call right away if the pipe is bulged, split, or already leaking.
- The repair starts with: Thaw the line under controlled heat and monitor for leaks.
What it is
Frozen pipes Frozen pipes means water inside a supply line has turned to ice, which cuts off flow to fixtures and puts pressure on the pipe walls that can crack or split the pipe as the ice expands.
This needs immediate action, so shut off the main water supply if you see any bulging, cracking, or dampness on the pipe before it bursts.
The short answer
If a faucet gives only a trickle on a cold morning, a pipe is frozen. Open that faucet so melting water has somewhere to go, then warm the pipe gradually with a hair dryer or a space heater kept well away from anything flammable. Never use an open flame. Find your main shutoff now, before the thaw, because a frozen pipe that has already split will release water the moment the ice clears.
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What it usually means
These are the causes we find most often, ranked from most likely to least.
- 1
Uninsulated pipe in an exterior wall, crawlspace, or attic
Most likely
The classic Denver freeze location, especially on north facing walls.
- 2
Hose bibb left connected through a freeze
Common
A connected hose traps water in the sillcock and splits it behind the wall.
- 3
Unheated garage or basement run
Common
Overnight temperature drops freeze the coldest section of the run first.
- 4
Air leaks around rim joists and foundation penetrations
Less common
Cold air blows directly onto the pipe even when the room is heated.
- 5
Heat turned down or off in a vacant property
Occasional
Common in rentals and seasonal homes during a cold snap.
What to do right now
- 1Open the affected faucet so pressure can release as the ice melts.
- 2Apply gentle heat along the pipe, working from the faucet back toward the freeze.
- 3Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air in.
- 4Locate the main shutoff and keep it accessible while the pipe thaws.
When it is an emergency
- The pipe is bulged, split, or already leaking.
- Water appears in a wall, ceiling, or crawlspace as the pipe thaws.
- A whole section of the house has no water during a hard freeze.
What the fix involves
Safe thawing comes first, then the pipe gets inspected for splits before the water goes back on. Damaged sections are cut out and replaced, and the vulnerable run is insulated or rerouted so the same section does not freeze again next winter.
- 1Thaw the line under controlled heat and monitor for leaks.
- 2Pressure test the affected run.
- 3Cut out and replace any split section.
- 4Insulate, seal air leaks, and reroute high risk runs where practical.
What drives the cost
Every job is quoted before work begins. These are the factors that move the number on this kind of repair.
- Thaw only versus pipe replacement
- Access through walls, crawlspaces, or ceilings
- Length of the damaged run and pipe material
- Emergency response during a freeze event
Related problems homeowners ask about
What do I do when a pipe bursts?
Water spraying or pouring from a pipe, a sudden pressure drop, water running down a wall, or a ceiling bulging and dripping.
Read this nextWhy do I have no water at all?
Every tap in the house is dry, or the first taps give a short burst of air and then nothing.
Read this nextWhy is water pressure low in my whole house?
Weak flow at every tap, showers that lose force when another fixture runs, and appliances that take much longer to fill.
Read this next
Read more on this
This page is for triage and dispatch. These guides go deeper on how the work is done and what shapes the price.
How to Winterize Your Plumbing System to Avoid Frozen Pipes
Front Range cold snaps arrive fast and hit the same pipes every year. An afternoon of prep in the fall prevents the burst that floods a basement in January.
Read the guideWhat to Do When a Pipe Bursts in Your Denver Home
A half inch supply line can move several gallons a minute. The first four minutes decide how much of your home you have to rebuild. Here is the order of operations.
Read the guide
Licenses, credentials, and company proof
- Colorado Master PlumberLicense MP-18927
- Colorado State Plumbing ContractorLicense 2110
- Family Owned & OperatedServing Denver since 2006, 20 years
- Better Business BureauAccredited Business, A+ rating
- Angie's List Super Service Award2012 through 2017
- Serving Denver since 2006Residential and commercial properties across the metro
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Before you book: pricing, timing, and guarantees
Straight answers on what frozen pipes work costs, how fast we can get out, and what stands behind the repair.
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