What is going on
Water expands as it freezes. In a pipe, that pressure builds between the ice and a closed fixture until something splits. The burst is often not where the ice was. It can show up only after thawing, when water starts pouring. Exposed pipes in attics, exterior walls, garages, crawlspaces and outdoor hose bibs are most at risk. Plastic lines handle it better than copper, but PEX can still split and fittings can crack.
What we check
- 01
Freeze location
Which fixtures have no water and where the lines run.
- 02
Safe thawing
Controlled heat applied. No open flames, no guesswork.
- 03
Split and crack check
Each thawed section pressurized and inspected for damage.
- 04
Water damage
Ceilings, walls and insulation checked for soaking.
- 05
Weak spots
Exposed lines identified for insulation, rerouting or freeze-proof bibs.
Your options
Thaw and inspect
Frozen line with no visible damage yet.
Burst repair
Split pipe or fitting replaced after thaw.
Freeze-proofing
Insulation, heat tape, frost-free hose bibs and line reroutes.
Before we get there
Open the faucet that will not flow so melting ice has somewhere to go. Use a hair dryer or space heater on exposed pipe, never an open flame. Know where the main shutoff is in case a split shows up as it thaws.