Signs of a frozen pipe
- One tap gives a dribble while the rest flow normally.
- A white frost bloom on a bare line.
- A toilet tank that stays empty after a flush.
- Strange smells from a drain, which can indicate a blocked vent or drain.
Steps to take
- Open the affected faucet. Flowing water helps melt ice and relieves pressure.
- Find the frozen section. Usually along an outside wall, in a cold corner, or near an opening.
- Apply gentle heat: a hair dryer, heat lamp, space heater at a safe distance, or warm towels.
- Work from the faucet back toward the frozen area.
- Keep heating until full flow returns.
Field note. Never thaw a pipe with a torch, propane heater or open flame. They cause house fires, and copper pipe can heat the wood behind it to ignition.
If it bursts
Close the main valve immediately. Turn off power to wet areas. Open low taps to drain the system. Move valuables and call. Our burst pipe repair page covers what comes next.
When to call
If the ice is somewhere you cannot see or get to, the pipe is inside a wall, or the entire house has no water, call. A frozen service line needs professional equipment.
Preventing the next one
Once flow returns, work out why it froze. Wrap the line, plug drafts around it, fit heat cable, or move the run inside. During cold snaps, open cabinet doors and let a tap drip on vulnerable lines. Our winterizing note has the full checklist, and frozen pipe thawing explains how we handle it.