Frozen pipe — do this now
- Leave the faucet open. Running water helps thaw the ice and relieves pressure in the line.
- Find the frozen section. Usually on an exterior wall, in a garage, crawlspace, attic, or under a sink on an outside wall.
- Know where your main shut-off is before you start thawing — if the pipe has cracked, water will pour out as soon as the ice melts. Main shut-off guide.
- Apply gentle heat — a hair dryer, a space heater kept a safe distance away, or warm towels. Start nearest the faucet and work back.
- Never use an open flame. No torches, propane heaters, or charcoal.
- If it bursts, shut off the main and call Vault at (385) 250-2825.
Signs a pipe is frozen
- No water, or only a trickle, from one faucet while others work
- Frost on an exposed pipe
- A toilet that won’t refill
- A strange smell from a drain (the frozen line traps odor)
- Bulging in an exposed section of pipe
Where Utah pipes freeze most
- Kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls
- Garage supply lines, especially to a utility sink or water heater
- Crawlspaces with open vents or missing insulation
- Hose bibs — the North Park case study on this site started with a frozen hose bib rupture
- Attic lines in homes where plumbing runs overhead
- Basement rim joists where cold air leaks in
How to thaw safely
- Open the faucet the line feeds — both hot and cold.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks so warm room air reaches the pipe.
- Use a hair dryer on low to medium, moving it along the pipe. Keep it away from standing water.
- Or wrap the pipe in towels soaked in hot water, re-soaking as they cool.
- Or use an electric heating pad or heat tape rated for pipes, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Keep heat on until full pressure returns.
- Check the whole length for drips once water flows. Small cracks often show up only after thawing.
What never to do
- No torch or open flame. It can ignite framing and can overheat the pipe.
- No boiling water poured on PVC or PEX. Sudden heat can damage some pipe materials.
- Don’t leave a space heater unattended or close to walls, insulation, or curtains.
- Don’t thaw a pipe you can’t see by heating the wall from outside. Call a plumber.
When to call a plumber
- You can’t find or reach the frozen section
- The pipe is inside a wall or ceiling
- You see a crack, split, or bulge
- Multiple fixtures are frozen
If it bursts
Shut off the main immediately, turn off power to any wet area, and follow burst pipe — what to do. Water from a burst line moves fast — often into walls, ceilings, and the floor below. Call (385) 250-2825; the line is answered live 24/7.
Pipe burst after a freeze?
Call (385) 250-2825. We’ll extract, dry, and document for your insurance claim.
Winter pipe protection · Burst pipe — what to do · Water damage services · Insurance claims
More guides: Frozen hose bib leaks · Pipe types and leaks
Related guides
Water coming in right now? Our emergency water damage service in Provo answers live 24/7 at (385) 250-2825.