What to Do When Pipes Freeze in Aurora
Open the faucet fed by the frozen pipe, then warm the icy section slowly using a blow dryer, an electric heating pad or a space heater parked well clear of anything flammable. Skip torches entirely. If the pipe already cracked or water shows up as it thaws, shut the main valve, then call (888) 532-8620 so extraction begins before the water travels.
Signs a Pipe Has Frozen
Arctic air can hold Aurora below zero for several days running, and plumbing along outer walls, inside garages, through crawl spaces and near chilly basement corners ices up first. Most people learn about it only when a tap goes quiet.
Look for these clues, particularly on the first morning after a bitter night.
- A faucet that sputters a thin stream or nothing
- Frost coating a bare pipe beneath the kitchen sink or along a basement joist
- A toilet tank that stays empty after flushing
- A bulge or thin crack along a visible pipe
- Gurgling or sewer smells from a drain
- A cold, damp patch on drywall where plumbing runs near the siding
Water Damage Services That Fit This Question
-
Frozen Pipe Water Removal
Water removal for a frozen pipe or frost-free spigot that cracks and leaks once thawing begins.
-
Burst Pipe Water Removal
Pulls water and dries framing once a supply pipe fails within a wall, a ceiling or the basement.
-
Finished Basement Water Damage Cleanup
Drying and controlled tear-out when water reaches finished basement walls and floors.
Thawing Frozen Plumbing Without Making It Worse
Begin by the faucet and move heat gradually toward the ice, so meltwater has somewhere to escape. Patience beats power here, because sudden intense heat can crack the pipe or scorch the wood framing around it.
Restoration technicians see plenty of winter losses that began with a well-meant torch, so stick to gentle heat sources.
- Turn on both the hot and cold handles at the affected faucet
- Aim a hair dryer at the icy stretch, or wrap it in an electric heating pad or hot, damp rags
- Set any space heater on a stable surface and away from rugs, boxes and curtains
- Leave sink and vanity cabinets standing open so heated air reaches plumbing on outer walls
- Never use a propane torch, kerosene heater or any open flame
- Bring in a plumber when the ice hides in a closed wall cavity or finished ceiling
When the Pipe Has Already Burst
Ice expands as it forms, and a crack frequently stays invisible until the thaw lets water gush out. In a house with a finished basement, that water can soak carpet pad, drywall and stored boxes in short order.
Act in this order to keep the damage small. Then call (888) 532-8620 so local extraction crews can pump out water and set drying equipment, 24/7.
- Close the main shutoff, commonly near the meter or where the incoming pipe pierces the foundation wall
- Flip breakers for soaked rooms, provided the panel stays dry and so do you
- Open faucets to drain the remaining water out of the system
- Drag furniture, electronics and storage bins clear of the puddles
- Photograph the cracked pipe plus each soaked room for the claim file
Preventing the Next Freeze
A few cold-weather habits make a second split far less likely. Front Range cold snaps often follow mild weeks, so it pays to prepare before the forecast turns.
Plumbers also suggest checking frost-free spigots every fall, since an attached hose ranks among the usual reasons a sillcock cracks out of sight behind siding.
- Remove garden hoses from outside spigots before the first hard freeze
- Insulate pipes in garages, crawl spaces and along exterior walls
- Leave a slow drip running at the coldest faucet on subzero nights
- Hold the thermostat steady, including while you travel
- Seal drafts around sill plates and where pipes pass through walls
Start the basement pump-out (888) 532-8620
More Water Damage Questions
What to Do When Pipes Freeze in Aurora: More Answers
Does every frozen pipe end up bursting?
No. Lots of frozen pipes thaw with no harm done, but pressure trapped between an ice plug and a shut faucet can split copper, PEX or old galvanized steel. Leaving that faucet open during thawing eases the pressure.
Plumber or drying crew: who comes first?
When water is escaping, close the main valve, then phone both. Plumbers fix the pipe, and restoration teams extract and dry by IICRC S500 rules.
How quickly does a burst pipe start ruining things?
Carpet pad and drywall begin wicking up water immediately, and mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours. Early extraction generally lets more materials dry instead of heading to the landfill.
Is a split frozen pipe covered by insurance?
Homeowners policies frequently pay for sudden, accidental water released by a split pipe, although fixing the pipe and losses in an empty house left without heat may be excluded. Coverage depends on your policy, so check with your own insurer.
Water damage gets worse by the hour. Call now to get water removal started, 24/7.