how do you fix frozen pipes

February 18, 2026

If your pipes are frozen, the priority is to thaw them slowly and safely while avoiding a burst and knowing when to call a pro.

Turn off the main water supply if you suspect a pipe may have cracked or if you see any bulging, seams, or dripping.

Open the affected faucets (hot and cold) so any melting ice can relieve pressure instead of bursting the pipe.

Never use an open flame (propane torch, lighter, blowtorch) on pipes; this is a major fire hazard and can damage the pipe.

Focus on gentle, even heat and start from the faucet end of the frozen section so pressure can escape.

Common safe methods:

Hair dryer on low–medium, slowly moving along the pipe, starting near the faucet and working back toward the frozen section.

Electric space heater in the room, positioned a safe distance from anything flammable and aimed toward the area of the pipe.

Warm, wet towels wrapped around the pipe, refreshed frequently with hot (not boiling) water.

Electric heating pad or thermostatic heat tape rated for plumbing, wrapped around the pipe according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

As you thaw:

Watch for leaks while thawing—water appearing on the pipe or wall can mean a crack, even if it’s small.

Sometimes the frozen section is in a wall, ceiling, or crawlspace you can’t directly reach.

You can try:

Raising the thermostat several degrees and leaving interior doors and cabinet doors open so warm air reaches hidden pipes.

Using a space heater in cold areas like basements, garages, or under-sink cabinets, following all safety clearances.

In some cases, plumbers use specialized pipe-thawing machines on metal pipes; this is not a DIY tool for most homeowners.

If you still have no water after an hour or two of safe attempts, or you can’t locate the freeze, it’s time to call a licensed plumber.

Once a pipe bursts, you’re no longer “fixing frozen pipes” but dealing with water damage control. Do this immediately:

Turn off electricity in any area where water is leaking near outlets, lights, or the panel (if it’s safe to reach).
Open faucets to drain remaining water from the system.

Capture water with buckets, towels, and wet/dry vacs to limit damage.
Call a professional plumber to cut out and replace the damaged section of pipe; temporary repair clamps or wraps can be used only as a short-term measure.

If significant water has gotten into walls, floors, or ceilings, consider a water-damage/restoration company to handle drying and prevent mold.

Once things are flowing again, a little prevention saves you from repeating the nightmare:

Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves or wrap insulation, especially in basements, crawlspaces, garages, and exterior walls.

Seal cold air leaks near pipes (gaps around vents, cables, or hose bibs) with caulk or expanding foam.

In extreme cold, let faucets drip slightly and keep cabinet doors under sinks open so warm room air can circulate.

Install a frost-free outdoor spigot and consider heat tape on vulnerable runs if your climate has repeated hard freezes.

“My kitchen cold line is frozen but hot still works—what now?”

Leave the cold tap open a crack, warm the cabinet and wall area with a space heater or hair dryer, and check the basement or crawlspace for exposed cold lines with frost.

If you hear hammering, dripping behind walls, or see water stains as things thaw, shut off the main and get a pro in—those are red flags of hidden damage.

Focus keyword worked in: how do you fix frozen pipes
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A practical, step‑by‑step guide on how do you fix frozen pipes safely: how to thaw them, what to do if they burst, when to call a plumber, and how to prevent refreezing in future cold snaps.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.