A frozen pipe is a blocked pipe with a risk attached. Ice stops the flow, and the trapped water pushes outward as more ice forms. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages and unheated basements can freeze when the air around them stays cold for hours. Thaw it slowly, and shut the water off first if you see any crack.
First ten minutes: what to do
- Open the faucet served by the frozen pipe. Running water, even a trickle, helps melt ice and relieves pressure.
- Find the main water shutoff and make sure you can reach it fast.
- Look along the pipe for cracks, bulges or wet spots on the wall, floor or ceiling.
- If you see water, close the main shutoff, open a lower faucet to drain the line and call a plumber.
- If there is no leak, begin a gentle thaw at the faucet end of the pipe.
Start at the faucet and work back toward the frozen section. That lets melting water drain out instead of being trapped behind more ice.
Safe and unsafe ways to thaw
| Method | Safe? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hair dryer on low | Yes | Move it back and forth along the pipe, keep it away from standing water |
| Heating pad or warm towels | Yes | Wrap the pipe and replace towels as they cool |
| Space heater nearby | With care | Keep it clear of anything flammable and never leave it unattended |
| Open flame, torch or heat gun at full power | No | Fire risk, and overheating can damage solder joints and plastic pipe |
| Pouring boiling water on a pipe | No | Can crack cold pipe and cause scalds |
| Waiting for the weather to warm | Sometimes | Works only if the pipe is not already cracked |
Never use a flame on a frozen pipe
A torch can ignite framing and insulation behind the wall, and it can melt plastic or loosen soldered joints. If a hair dryer does not work within a reasonable time, stop and call a plumber.
How a freeze becomes a burst
The split usually opens where the ice plug has built the most pressure, and it stays hidden while the pipe is frozen. The water comes back as the ice melts. That is why a thaw should always be followed by a check, since a pipe that looked fine frozen may spray once it is flowing.
If you find a split, the repair depends on the pipe. A short cracked section of copper can be cut out and replaced. PEX can often be repaired with fittings. Pipe inside a wall or ceiling needs an opening cut. Our burst pipe repair team cuts the minimum needed, repairs the pipe and tests the line.
Signs a pipe is frozen or about to freeze
- Only a trickle comes from a faucet on a cold morning
- Frost shows on an exposed pipe
- A pipe in an outside wall feels cold to the touch
- Strange smells from a drain, which can mean a frozen drain line
- A garage or basement room that stays below room temperature all day
Prevention before the next cold snap
Insulate exposed pipes
Foam sleeves on pipes in the garage, crawl space and unheated basement cost little and cut heat loss.
Seal air leaks
Close gaps where pipes enter the house, such as around dryer vents, cable lines and sill plates.
Disconnect hoses
Remove outdoor hoses and shut off the supply to outside spigots before freezing weather.
Let a faucet drip
In extreme cold, a small steady drip on the farthest faucet keeps water moving.
Open cabinet doors
Doors under kitchen and bath sinks on outside walls let warm room air reach the pipes.
Keep the heat on
If you leave town, hold the thermostat at a safe setting and ask someone to check the house.
None of these are expensive, and together they cover the most common ways pipes freeze. The one that matters most is knowing where your main shutoff valve is before you need it.
Who to call about water problems around Romeoville
Water trouble can start on either side of your meter, and nearby towns publish who handles each. Lockport's Public Works page lists a separate line for leaks and main breaks, with an after-hours route through dispatch, and the city site carries a Frozen Pipe Prevention page. Plainfield's water service page lists an after-hours number for water and sewer problems.
The tie-back is practical. A split pipe inside your house is yours to repair, and a plumber can fix it. A leak at the street, in the meter pit or in the main is the utility's. If you are not sure which, close your own shutoff and see whether the problem stops.
For a Romeoville address, ask the Village of Romeoville for its after-hours water number and save it in your phone before winter.
Not sure whether it is frozen or leaking?
Call and tell dispatch what you see. We ask a few questions, tell you what to shut off and send a plumber if there is damage.
Call (630) 822-9290After the thaw: check for hidden leaks
Once water flows again, watch the pipe and the area around it for an hour. Check the water meter with every fixture off. If the dial is still turning, water is escaping somewhere. A hidden crack in a wall or slab shows up first as a high bill or a damp patch, and our leak detection service finds it without opening more of the wall than needed.
Take dated photos of any water damage and keep receipts for emergency work. Your insurance agent will ask for them, and a clear record speeds up the claim.
Homes in Joliet and Plainfield face the same winter risks as Romeoville. Older houses with pipes in exterior walls tend to have the most exposure, and newer homes with pipes in an open basement ceiling are easier to insulate.
Frozen pipe questions from Romeoville homeowners
There is no fixed time. It depends on the pipe, the temperature and how long it stays cold. A pipe can freeze overnight and show a crack only when it thaws.
Yes. The emergency line is staffed 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. Shut off the main water valve and call.
Many policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe, but terms vary. Read your policy or call your agent, and document the damage with photos before cleanup.
A small steady drip on the faucet farthest from the main can help keep water moving. It is a stopgap, not a substitute for insulation.
The water utility handles the public main. Ask the Village of Romeoville for its after-hours water number. A frozen or split pipe inside the house is a plumber's job.
Yes. We dispatch from Romeoville and cover both towns for thawing, burst pipes and leak checks.