Wondering what's going on in there?
Where pipes freeze, in plain English
Water comes into your house through one pipe, then splits off to every faucet. When the temperature drops below freezing, the pipes that get the coldest freeze first. A plug of ice stops the water, and the pressure behind it can split the pipe.
- The meter. Water comes from the street through a meter. In many towns the water company owns it.
- The main water valve. Where the pipe comes into the house. Closing it stops all the water. Find yours before you need it.
- Pipes on outside walls. Pipes running up an outside wall to a sink are a common place to freeze.
- Crawl spaces and garages. Pipes in unheated spaces freeze first.
- The faucets. A dry faucet tells you the ice is somewhere between it and the main valve.
So no water usually means one of these:
- One frozen pipe, if only one faucet is dry.
- A frozen main line, meter or well line, if the whole house is dry.
- A water company outage, if the neighbors are out too.
A leak is different. Shut off the main water valve first.
Outdoor spigot leaking after a freeze? See our guide to an outdoor faucet that leaks.
Rather not do it yourself? Call a plumber.
That's a fine choice. Maybe you're busy. Maybe you're selling the house and just want it done right. A plumber can thaw a frozen pipe safely and fix one that burst.
Most plumbers charge $45–$200 an hour, and some add a fee to come out. Thawing a pipe that hasn't burst is often about $100.
Find plumbers near you
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What to say
Calling a pro? Here's what to say.
A few lines to read when they pick up, and the questions to ask before anyone comes out.
Before you call
Say this
Hi. My pipes are frozen, and I have no water. When's the soonest you can get here? And what's your fee for the visit? Does it go toward the repair?
Always ask
- What's your fee to come out, and does it go toward the repair?
- Do you charge by the job or by the hour?
- Will you tell me the full price before you start any work?
Watch out if
- They push a full replacement on the first visit for a small problem.
- They won't give you a price before starting.
- They add an emergency fee without telling you first.
Feeling pushed to decide on the spot? You can say no and hang up. You owe nothing for a phone call.
Answer up to 4 quick questions. We'll give you the words a pro uses.
Answer the questions →More of a list person?
Common signs, causes, tests and costs
Find the row that sounds like your home. The quick test is something you can check yourself in a few minutes.
| What you notice | What it probably is | Quick test | Do it yourself | With a pro | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water leaking, spraying, or showing on a wall or ceiling | A pipe has burst | None. Shut off the water | Pro job | $250–$500 | CALLSee the answer: A pipe has burst |
| No water anywhere; neighbors are out too | The water is out on your street | Ask a neighbor or check the water company's site | Free | Not needed | FIXSee the answer: The water is out on your street |
| No water anywhere; home has a well | The well line or pump is frozen | None. Protect the pump | Pro job | $45–$200 | CALLSee the answer: The well line or pump is frozen |
| No water anywhere; neighbors have water | The main line or meter is frozen | Call the water company | Pro job | $45–$200 | CALLSee the answer: The main line or meter is frozen |
| One faucet dry; pipe within reach; warming brought the water back | A frozen pipe, now thawed | Warm the pipe with a hair dryer on low | Free | Not needed | FIXSee the answer: A frozen pipe, now thawed |
| One faucet dry; pipe inside a wall or out of reach | A frozen pipe you can't reach | None. Call a plumber | Pro job | $45–$200 | CALLSee the answer: A frozen pipe you can't reach |
| Pipe warmed for an hour; still no water | The frozen pipe won't thaw | None. Call a plumber | Pro job | $45–$200 | CALLSee the answer: The frozen pipe won't thaw |
2026 U.S. averages, rounded. Pro prices include parts and labor. Most plumbers charge $45–$200 an hour, and some add a fee to come out. Nights, weekends and big cities cost more. See all repair prices
Want proof it's fixed?
The leak check after thawing
A pipe can split while it's frozen and only leak once it thaws. Check before you call it done.
- Let the faucet run for a few minutes at full flow.
- Dry the pipe with a towel and look along it with a flashlight.
- Check again in an hour, and look at the ceiling or wall below any pipe you warmed.
- Dry, with full flow: it's fixed.
- Weak flow: some ice may be left. Keep warming it, up to an hour total.
- Any drip or wet spot: shut off the main water valve and call a plumber.
Not sure it's safe?
Shut off the main water right away if…
- Water is spraying or dripping from a pipe.
- A ceiling or wall has a wet spot or is sagging.
- A pipe looks cracked or bulging.
- Water is near outlets, cords or the breaker box. Stay out of the water.
The main water valve is where the pipe comes into the house. Then call a plumber. Never thaw a pipe with an open flame or a torch. It can start a fire or burst the pipe, according to Angi.
Got a big plumber's quote?
Is the price fair?
Thawing a pipe that hasn't burst usually costs about $100, according to Angi and ConsumerAffairs. A burst pipe costs more. ConsumerAffairs lists $250–$500 for one pipe, and about $500 on average for frozen or burst pipe repairs. Ask yourself three things:
- Did it burst? A thaw is a short job. A repair means new pipe, and maybe opening a wall.
- Is it an emergency call? Nights, weekends and storms can cost up to 50% more.
- Will it happen again? Ask the plumber about insulation or moving the pipe. HomeAdvisor suggests keeping the heat at 55°F or higher, even when you're away.
Example: $100–$150 to thaw a pipe under a sink is fair. $1,500 to fix a burst pipe in a ceiling, with drywall repair, is in the normal range for a bigger job.
Ran into a word you don't know?
Pipe words, explained
Tap through these before you go looking. The drawings show roughly what each part looks like.
- Main water valve (main shutoff)
- The valve where the water pipe comes into the house. Closing it stops water to every faucet.
- Water meter
- The box that measures the water you use, usually near the street or in the basement.
- Frozen pipe
- A pipe with a plug of ice inside that stops the water. It often feels very cold or has frost on it.
- Burst pipe
- A pipe the ice has split. It leaks, often once it thaws.
- Crawl space
- The low, unheated space under some houses where pipes run.
- Pressure tank
- The tank that stores water from a well and keeps the pressure up. It's usually in a basement or well house.
- Well pump
- The pump that brings water up from a well. Its breaker is in the breaker box.
- Pipe insulation
- Foam tubes that slip over pipes to help keep them from freezing.
- Hair dryer
- The safest tool for thawing a pipe you can reach. Use it on low.
- Faucet
- The tap at a sink, tub or laundry. A dry one tells you where the ice is.
- Breaker
- A safety switch in your home's breaker box (the gray metal panel).
Still have questions?
Questions people ask most
How do I know if my pipes are frozen?
The main sign of frozen pipes is no water, or just a trickle, from a faucet in freezing weather. The pipe may feel very cold, have frost on it, or look bulged. Angi lists these signs.
Are frozen pipes an emergency?
Frozen pipes are an emergency once a pipe leaks or bursts. Then shut off the main water valve, stay out of water near outlets, and call a plumber. A frozen pipe that hasn't burst is urgent but not yet an emergency. Open the faucet and start thawing it, because water trapped behind the ice builds pressure.
How do I unfreeze pipes?
To unfreeze a pipe, open the faucet, then warm the pipe with a hair dryer on low or a heating pad, starting near the faucet. We suggest those over a space heater, because they're easier to aim and to keep away from water. Never use an open flame or a torch. If nothing changes after an hour, call a plumber.
Will frozen pipes thaw on their own, and how long does it take?
Frozen pipes do thaw on their own when it warms up, but waiting isn't safe. Roto-Rooter warns they can still burst or be damaged as they thaw. There's no set time; it depends on the weather and where the pipe is. The Red Cross says to keep the faucet open and apply gentle heat until full pressure comes back.
Where do pipes usually freeze?
Pipes usually freeze where they're cold and not well covered. The Red Cross lists outdoor spigots and sprinkler lines. It also lists pipes in crawl spaces, attics, garages, cold basements and kitchen cabinets, and pipes along outside walls with thin insulation. The faucet that gives just a trickle points to the frozen line.
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are most at risk when it drops below 20°F outside, State Farm says. Roto-Rooter says pipes can freeze in as little as six to eight hours. On nights that cold, keep the heat at 55°F or higher and open the cabinet doors under sinks.
Do frozen pipes burst when they thaw?
Frozen pipes usually split while they're frozen, but the leak often shows up as they thaw. This Old House explains that water gets trapped between the ice and a closed faucet, and the pressure splits the pipe. Once it thaws, water can gush out. Not every frozen pipe bursts, so keep the faucet open, watch for leaks, and know where your main water valve is.
Can frozen pipes cause no hot water, a toilet that won't flush or slow drains?
Yes, frozen pipes can cause all three. A toilet needs fresh water to refill its tank, so a frozen supply line leaves it empty after one flush. If the hot water pipe is frozen, no hot water reaches that faucet. Frozen drain pipes can make sinks and toilets drain slowly.
Who do I call for frozen pipes?
Call a plumber for frozen pipes you can't reach or can't thaw, or for any leak. If the whole house is dry and the neighbors have water, call your water company first. The meter may be theirs. With a well, call a plumber or a well company.
Will insurance cover frozen pipes?
Homeowners insurance usually pays for sudden water damage from a pipe that froze and burst, but often not for the pipe itself. NerdWallet says policies pay for the damage, not for fixing the pipe. Allstate says freezing isn't covered unless you took care to keep the heat on. A home left empty may not be covered. Check your policy or ask your agent.
How much does it cost to fix frozen pipes?
Having a plumber thaw a pipe that hasn't burst costs about $100, according to Angi and ConsumerAffairs. Fixing a burst pipe runs about $250–$500, more for bigger jobs.
How do I keep pipes from freezing?
To keep pipes from freezing, keep the heat at 55°F or higher, even when you're away, as HomeAdvisor suggests. Open cabinet doors on cold nights. Wrap pipes in garages and crawl spaces with foam pipe covers.
How we built this
The questions follow the order a plumber checks a home with no water in freezing weather: leaks first, then which faucets are dry, then the main line, meter or well, and finally the frozen spot itself. Each answer makes some causes more likely and others less likely.
Prices are 2026 national averages from published repair-cost guides, rounded. Your local prices will differ.
- Angi, how to safely thaw a frozen pipe (July 2026)
- Angi, well water frozen (July 2026)
- ConsumerAffairs, cost to repair frozen pipes (June 2026)
- HomeAdvisor, burst pipe repair cost (January 2023)
- American Red Cross, frozen pipes (read October 2026)
- Roto-Rooter, frozen water pipes (read October 2026)
- State Farm newsroom, frozen pipes (January 2026)
- This Old House, how a frozen pipe bursts (May 2026)
- NerdWallet, does homeowners insurance cover water damage (June 2026)
- Allstate, does homeowners insurance cover water damage (January 2026)
How we make money: some links go to parts stores that pay us a small commission, and some pro listings pay us when you call them. Verdicts come from the diagnosis, not from who pays more.