Frozen pipes?

If a faucet runs a trickle or nothing in freezing weather, a pipe has probably frozen. Thaw it slowly with gentle heat and never an open flame, because ice that expands can split the pipe, and a split often shows only once it thaws.

Not sure which one it is? Snap your pipes and we’ll narrow it down.

Already seeing water, stains or a hissing sound?

The pipe may have split. Shut off the main water first. Burst or leaking pipe

Likely causes

Pipe in an exterior wall
Most commonEasy DIY
One faucet has little or no water while others work, and the pipe runs along a cold outside wall, often under a sink on that wall.
Pipe in an unheated space
CommonModerate DIY
The pipe runs through a crawlspace, garage, attic or basement corner. You may see frost on the pipe where it is exposed.
Pipe frozen behind a wall or floor
Less commonCall a pro
No water at a faucet and you can't see or reach the pipe. Heat can't be applied safely to what you can't see, so this is a plumber's job.
Pipe already split by the ice
Less commonCall a pro
Water appears, a stain spreads or the pressure drops as the pipe thaws. Treat this as a burst pipe.

Quick checks

Never thaw a pipe with a torch or any open flame. Know where your main water shutoff is before winter, so you can stop the water fast if the pipe splits. If water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, switch power off at the breaker only if you can reach it while standing somewhere dry. Otherwise stay out and call a professional.

Check whether the whole house is out of water or just one faucet. If it's all of them, the frozen section may be at the main line or meter — call your water utility or a plumber; don’t try to thaw a main line or meter yourself.
Open the faucet the frozen pipe feeds, so water and steam can escape as it thaws.
Apply gentle heat to the pipe, starting at the faucet end and working back toward the frozen part: a hair dryer, a heating pad, or a space heater kept well clear of anything flammable.
Keep going until full pressure returns. Then check along the pipe for leaks.
To prevent a repeat: keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher even when away, let faucets drip in a hard freeze, open the cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls, and use heat tape. Insulating exposed pipes is good general upkeep.

Sharpen the read

Diagnose your pipes in seconds, for free

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Snap one of these:

the pipe where it's frozen or leaking, close up
where the pipe runs (wall, crawlspace, under the sink)
your main water shutoff valve

Add a note or more photos next. Nobody calls you.

When to call a pro

You can't find or reach the frozen pipe, heat hasn't restored the flow, a pipe is bulging or leaking, or water is near electrical equipment. A plumber is $45–200 an hour, and an emergency call-out is $100–300. If water is showing, see pipe burst or leaking. For the bigger picture, see the exposed pipes guide.

Typical cost: HomeAdvisor puts thawing frozen pipes at about $100 flat. If a pipe has burst, repair runs $200–3,000 (about $500 on average, with labor nearly 80% of the bill), and badly corroded or multiply damaged runs can reach $150–250 per foot. A plumber is $45–200 an hour, and an emergency call-out is $100–300. Water damage, drywall and mold are extra and not priced here.

Sources: HomeAdvisor: How much does a burst pipe repair cost? (updated June 20, 2026)

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