Is this your problem?
- No water or a trickle from a faucet during freezing weather
- Frost visible on exposed pipes
- Strange smells from a faucet (blockage pushing odors back)
- One section of the home without water while others work
Frozen Pipes? Get a licensed pro on the line now.
Free for homeowners · 24/7 · Licensed local pros
What to do right now
Open the faucet
Open the affected faucet slightly. Flowing water — even a trickle — helps melt ice and gives it somewhere to go.
Warm the pipe gently
Hair dryer, heating pad, or warm (not hot) towels on the frozen section, working from the faucet back toward the blockage. Never an open flame or heat gun on high.
Check for leaks as it thaws
Watch closely — the real danger is a split you can't see until water flows. Have the main shutoff location ready.
Know when to stop
If you can't find the frozen section, if it's inside a wall, or if thawing reveals any leak — stop and call.
Call before it bursts
Call (844) 699-1165. A pro can thaw safely, check for splits, and insulate the vulnerable runs so it doesn't happen again.
Stay safe
- Never use a blowtorch, open flame, or propane heater on pipes — fire risk and you can boil water into steam.
- Don't pour boiling water on a frozen pipe — thermal shock can split it.
- If a pipe bursts during thawing, shut the main off immediately.
- Space heaters near pipes are a fire hazard — don't leave them unattended.
Mistakes to avoid
- Doing nothing and 'waiting for the thaw' — that's exactly when bursts flood homes.
- Blasting a heat gun on high — uneven heating splits pipes.
- Forgetting outdoor hose bibs and irrigation lines — the most common freeze casualties.
- Thawing without knowing where the main shutoff is.
What to tell the plumber when you call
Have these answers ready — it gets you the right pro faster and a more accurate quote.
- Which fixtures are affected and the outdoor temperature
- Where you suspect the freeze is: attic, crawlspace, exterior wall, garage
- Whether any water is flowing at all
- The age and material of your pipes if known
- Whether this has happened before (recurring freezes need insulation fixes)
Not quite your problem?
| Already spraying or flooding | Burst pipe — shut water off now → |
| No water in any weather | Pressure / supply issue → |
| Frozen outdoor hose bib only | Hose bibs split easily — mention it on the call → |
Frozen Pipes — FAQs
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Should I drip faucets during a freeze?
Can a plumber prevent this next winter?
My pipe thawed — am I in the clear?
Frozen Pipes Guides by Metro
Same problem, local context — climate, housing, and water conditions that change the advice.